JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
It’s been three years to the day that U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Amber Robbins, Headquarters Air Combat Command Personnel Programs Branch chief enlisted manager, was given the news she spent months dreading.
“It’s cancer.” Two words that can bring a rush of fear to anyone who hears them.
Diagnosis
Robbins discovered a painful lump on her right breast May 2017. Like many people, she shrugged it off, hoping it was just part of monthly changes during her menstrual cycle.
“My husband was deployed at the time and when he came home at the end of July, he asked, ‘hey did you ever get that lump taken care of’,” Robbins said.
It wasn’t until August of 2017 that she decided to get a check-up.
It started with an evaluation at the women’s health facility where a mammogram showed a concerning mass. The doctor then conducted a breast MRI followed by a biopsy. On Oct. 27, a Thursday, it was confirmed to be cancer.
Robbins’ family has a history of breast cancer. Her grandmother passed away at 35 years of age and a cousin passed away at 38. According to Robbins, 80-85 percent of breast cancer cases are not hereditary, meaning a majority of cases happen due to other reasons.
“I think I always knew,” Robbins said. “There’s something in all of us; we just get that feeling something is not right and usually that gut instinct is accurate.”
Robbins didn’t cry initially.
Although her mind was racing, Robbins’ first thought was about her career and how she wasn’t ready for it to be over.
“The first question I asked the doctor was if this diagnosis was going to get me medically retired from the Air Force,” Robbins said. “Both my husband and my doctor looked at me like I was crazy.”
Her husband recalls this moment.
“Shocked, rattled, confused, angry…you name the emotion, I probably felt it,” said Chief Master Sgt. Lee Robbins, Amber’s husband. “But I had to remain positive—she needed that most of all. “The Air Force took care of us and ultimately recognized she could continue service and would not be retired. This is a decision the Air Force definitely got right.”
Robbins had served 19 years in the military at this point and wasn’t ready to hang up her service coat. Fortunately, she didn’t need to.
Cancer while serving
As a Type A person, Robbins is always on the move whether as an Airman, a wife or a mom.
“She had a strong desire to continue to serve her country and lead Airmen,” Lee said. “In my opinion, there wasn’t a single individual in and outside her organization who would say she was not a highly effective SNCO while undergoing treatment.”
During the time of her diagnosis and treatment, Robbins was stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. She considered her military personnel flight team there her family, as they stuck by her through the course of her treatment and beyond.
“Although many people don’t want to hear the words Minot Air Force Base, I can tell you my three and a half years there, those people were my family,” Robbins said. “From my lowest-ranking Airman to the civilians to the contractors to my neighbors, they are top notch.”
Cancer made Robbins realize the type of Airman she aspired to be.
“No matter how big or small it is in my mind, if it’s important to you it’s important to me,” Robbins said.
She learned quickly that anyone can be a mentor. During this time, Airmen from all ranks stepped up and led in the work center during her illness, and even mentored her through her experience.
Her treatment started with a lumpectomy on Dec. 22, 2017, followed by chemotherapy in January. She endured six rounds of chemotherapy, each containing four different drugs. She also had 28 rounds of radiation.
Robbins continued working through treatment. One of her highest accomplishments while enduring her treatment was that she made the next rank: Chief.
“She did suffer a bit from the treatment because her plan was very aggressive,” Lee said. “This took a toll on her both emotionally and physically, but she always remained strong during interactions with people. Her focus was always about her Airmen. She cared about taking care of folks, setting the example and supporting the mission.”
After a year of treatment, Robbins was officially told she was cancer-free and remains in remission.
Breast cancer awareness
The most important thing that Robbins takes away from her diagnosis, treatment and life after winning the fight against cancer is people can never care too much about their health. If you feel uncertain about anything, it’s better to get it checked by a doctor than to wait.
Robbins’ story is relatable in that many women do not check lumps right away.
“Know and understand your body; don’t be afraid to go to the doctor,” Amber said. “I will never tell someone [breast cancer] is not something to think about because it may need to be something to think about.”
The majority of biopsies are negative for breast cancer, but a small chance remains.
Members on Fort Eustis and Langley should contact their Primary Care Managers if there are any breast health concerns. Early diagnosis lessens the opportunity for cancer to spread, and provides a better chance for a better prognosis.