Billie Klecko Overcoming Breast Cancer

An agonizing, burning pain in her left breast plagued Billie Klecko, then 37, for weeks as she breast-fed her baby girl. “I felt like I had a hot coal under my skin,” she recalls. Frightened, but not discouraged, the Jackson resident decided to be proactive and discuss the symptoms with her primary care doctor — a week after her daughter’s first birthday in January 2017.

After closer examination, Billie’s doctor advised she get a mammogram.

Her mammogram results were abnormal enough to require a follow-up ultrasound. Two days later, Billie found herself undergoing further examination with a biopsy.

Her tests revealed Billie’s diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer.

Billie turned to the expert care of the highly specialized physicians at Hackensack Meridian Health for the most effective, individualized treatment.

Brianna also produced this video featuring Billie Klecko and shared her story in Hackensack Meridian Health’s print magazine.