It's the 4th of the month, which means it's time to call your buddy as a reminder to do a self breast exam, and it's also time for this month's Buddy Check Report.

You know, we say that every month, but one of our viewers is now preaching it louder than we are, and encouraging all women to make their health a priority.

Breast cancer patient Joyce Lantzer says, "I love the hospital! My mom was here, my stepdad was here, my father in law was here and my husband was here as resident of long term care. I'm just so thankful for this hospital."

Giving back and helping others is second nature to Lantzer. That's why she spends much of her time volunteering at Kalkaska Memorial Hospital.

She's also a patient with stage 4 breast cancer.

"I've come through the whole thing really well. The chemo worked so right now I am doing good."

Lantzer had been faithfully getting her yearly mammogram ever since she was old enough to get them. But it was during a self breast exam last fall that she sound something unusual.

Radiologist Charles Weitz, MD says, "There are somewhere between 10-15% of breast cancers that may go undetected on a mammogram and those are the ones that may be felt before they can be seen."

What she felt turned out to be cancer, and that cancer had spread. While she is fighting the disease, she is also spreading the word encouraging other women to get more involved in their health, but they don't have to do it alone.

Lantzer says, "I speak from experience and I think ok, once a month I'm going to do this, but a month can pass and you don't. So I am really pushing this buddy thing."

While her outlook is light, her message is serious, and she knows it is having an impact on those who hear her speak.

"She came up to me at the post office last week and said Joyce you really scared me and I said, 'good.' That's my plan. If I can save somebody's life through my experience I will."

Saving someone's life may begin with early detection.

Dr. Weitz says, "The earlier we detect the cancer usually the smaller the size of the cancer and the better the outcome will be."

Lantzer is working toward her own positive outcome, and helping others may help her get there.

She says, "I pray every day God is going to give me the opportunity to do this."