PLAYING THROUGH

Mike Sciacca

Diane Valoff was swinging away on the golf course on Monday, the

picture of good health with an attitude to match.

The longtime Huntington Beach resident still possesses much of the

same competitive spirit she had 10 years ago, when began her fight

against breast cancer.

On Monday, Valoff played in the annual PacifiCare “It’s Every

Woman’s Fight” Women’s Golf Classic. She’s participated in the

all-women’s event the past five years and four of those years, has

served on the golf classic’s committee.

Monday’s classic, held at Mission Viejo Country Club, celebrated

its 10th year and is part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness and

Education Month.

“It’s a terrific event and it’s been a lot of fun serving on the

committee and working toward something that is so important,” Valoff

said of the golf tournament that is expected to raise $80,000 to

support the fight against breast cancer.

“The day’s not about what your score is. It’s about all of us

being together, having fun, celebrating life and those who have lost

their battle with breast cancer.”

Valoff, who turns 57 on Saturday is a survivor of a disease that

affects thousands of Orange County women every year.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2003, there will be

a projected 2,305 new cases of breast cancer among Orange County

women.

Of that number, the society projects 310 deaths this year.

“Prevention is the No. 1 key in the fight against breast cancer,”

said LaVon Kibodeaux, marketing and communications specialist for the

American Cancer Society Orange County Region. “If detected early,

there’s a little more than 95%, five-year survival rate.

“It’s especially important for women who have a family history of

the disease to get regular mammograms. For those who don’t have a

history, 40 is the age when women are recommended to get regular

checkups. With early detection, we’ll have more healthy women.”

Valoff says she met her challenge head-on. She underwent a

lumpectomy and has been cancer-free since.

She was diagnosed in May of 1993 and her final day of treatment,

she recalled, was the same day the big Northridge earthquake hit in

1994.

“I had a very proactive attitude about it,” said the mother of two

and grandmother of three. “My whole thing is that you need to get

from point A to point B.

“Point A is accepting you have breast cancer and point B is

actively seeking treatment. It’s your choice how you get there and I

went all out.”

Valoff watched her mother battle breast cancer twice, each time,

10 years apart. She also saw a co-worker battle and lose her fight

with the disease prior to turning 30.

“My mom had a matter-of-fact way of dealing with it,” Valoff said.

“She basically said her number ‘was up,’ so deal with it.

“I was much the same way. I went through radiation and

chemotherapy but never threw up. That’s not to say, though, that I

didn’t feel good many times. And, I lost all of my hair.”

Valoff went through breast cancer treatments six times, each

treatment lasting more than three weeks. During breaks between each

treatment round, she would get away with her husband, Billy, for a

golf trip.

“I’ve tried to keep as active as possible through all this,” she

said. “Aerobics classes, roller-blading, golf, you name it. My

husband’s been great in keeping me active as possible.

“I’ve had tremendous support from family and friends, which has

been invaluable.”

Valoff, who has been on the Orange Coast College women’s golf team

the past two years, has been offering support and advice to women who

have been diagnosed with the disease.

Although not formally trained in counseling, she generally offers

encouragement to these women through telephone conversations.

“I’m not technically trained but I can tell them about my attitude

and how it helped me get through this,” she said. “I can tell them

from my personal journey about the peaks and valleys, that some peaks

are higher and some valleys are lower. But you need to go through the

valleys to reach the peaks.

“It amazes me how many women are affected by breast cancer. I

would say to all women to just really be aware of your own body and

any changes you may notice. Do your self-examinations and don’t slack

off. It’s all about taking charge and care of yourself.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected].