INDIANAPOLIS — For 30 years, Melissa Ethridge has worked as a mammography technician , dedicated to helping women detect breast cancer early through routine screenings.

But recently, her professional mission took a very personal turn.

"I was shocked. That was my initial reaction, as I was really like, 'Wait what? You know, like, you never think it's going to be you." Ethridge said.

Ethridge was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) — the earliest possible stage of breast cancer, also called Stage 0.

"It's nice that we are able to pick up something this small, this insignificant on mammogram," said Dr. Kristen Govert, a breast surgeon at Ascension St. Vincent.

Govert says Ethridge's 3D mammogram revealed tiny grain of salt-sized calcifications deep in the breast tissue.

"This

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