Breast cancer survivors Martha Aronson and Tara Zuzga share how early detection, support, and resilience helped shape their journeys.
Breast cancer affects women in every country around the world. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), somewhere in the world a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 14 seconds. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates approximately 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
A breast cancer diagnosis can change a life in an instant. It can bring uncertainty, fear, and difficult questions about the future. Yet behind every diagnosis is a story of resilience, hope, and the people who help patients navigate the road ahead.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two women are sharing their experiences to encourage others to prioritize their health. While their journeys were unique, Martha Aronson, President and CEO of Merit Medical, and Tara Zuzga, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts, are united by a common message: early detection saves lives.
Martha’s Story: Screening Made the Difference
More than a decade ago, a routine mammogram led to additional testing, a biopsy, and a Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis for Martha Aronson.
“I am here because of early detection,” she says.
The days between learning something was wrong and receiving a diagnosis were some of the most difficult of her life. With three young sons at home, Martha wondered whether she would get to watch them grow up. After meeting with her physicians, a treatment plan turned her uncertainty into focus and determination.
Looking back, Martha credits family, friends, and caregivers for helping her through treatment and recovery. The experience deepened her appreciation for the strength of patients and caregivers. It also reinforced a lesson she carries with her today: we never truly know what someone else may be facing.
Today, Martha’s role as President and CEO of Merit Medical gives her a unique perspective on the company’s work in oncology. Having faced breast cancer herself, she understands firsthand the uncertainty, fear, and hope that patients experience throughout their journey.
Martha’s story reinforces Merit’s commitment to developing technologies that help reduce the burden cancer places on patients, their loved ones, and caregivers.
Different Journeys, Shared Strength
For breast cancer survivor Tara Zuzga, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Merit Medical, treatment was about more than overcoming a diagnosis. It was about finding confidence, comfort, and support throughout every step of the process. Like many patients facing breast-conserving surgery, Tara navigated important decisions while relying on her care team to guide her forward.
Early detection made Tara an excellent candidate for Merit Medical’s SCOUT™ Radar Localization system, a wire-free technology designed to help physicians precisely locate breast lesions for surgery. A small SCOUT reflector can be placed at the time of biopsy or prior to surgery and later detected using radar technology to guide the surgeon to the targeted tissue. This approach can eliminate the need for a separate wire localization procedure on the day of surgery, helping reduce additional procedures and discomfort for patients.
Throughout treatment, Tara discovered strength through her family, friends, and care team. She learned the importance of advocating for herself, asking questions, and focusing on the present. Breast cancer changed her perspective and reinforced her appreciation for everyday moments, meaningful relationships, and the importance of prioritizing her health.
In 2022, she received the news: she was cancer-free.
“The day Dr. Blumencranz told me, ‘You’re no longer my patient, we both stood there and cried,” Tara recalls.
Tara’s journey demonstrates the importance of staying current with recommended screenings, seeking support, and moving forward with hope.
A Global Perspective on Patient Care
Sophie Molinier, Marketing Director of Oncology in EMEA for Merit, is particularly passionate about expanding awareness of wire-free localization technologies in regions around the world.
“Solutions like SCOUT™ can help improve the patient experience while providing greater flexibility for clinical teams,” she explains. “By helping raise awareness and adoption of these technologies, I hope we can contribute to a better experience for patients throughout their breast cancer journey.”
Looking ahead, Sophie believes Merit’s global oncology portfolio will continue to focus on innovations that improve the patient journey while supporting physicians. What gives her confidence is the team behind that work.
“In more than 20 years in the medical device industry, I have met many purpose-driven teams, but the passion and commitment of the Merit Oncology team is truly exceptional,” she says. “I believe this passion will continue to drive innovation and help improve patient care around the world.”
Helping Patients Through Innovation
When Martha underwent treatment, SCOUT was not yet available. Today, patients like Tara have access to tools that can help streamline the surgical experience.
Innovations like SCOUT represent more than technological advancement. They demonstrate how patient-centered design can improve the overall treatment experience, allowing breast cancer patients to focus more on healing and less on the logistical challenges.
One Shared Message
No two breast cancer journeys are alike, but Martha and Tara share a powerful common belief: don’t wait to make your health a priority.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, their stories serve as a reminder that a screening appointment could change the course of a life. Early detection, compassionate care, strong support systems, and continued innovation are helping more patients face breast cancer with confidence and hope.
At Merit Medical, we’re proud to support healthcare providers and patients through technologies designed to improve the cancer care experience and reduce the burden that cancer places on patients and their loved ones. Inspired by survivors like Martha and Tara, we remain committed to advancing solutions that help more patients move toward healthier tomorrows.
Learn more about Merit’s oncology solutions and commitment to patient care at Merit Oncology.