Imaging Expert Championed Topeka Breast Cancer Race
A regional medical director shared her own cancer journey to highlight new surgical technology during a recent charity event.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Cancer
Connie Wagers, a medical imaging expert in Topeka, served as the honorary co-chair for the 2026 Race Against Breast Cancer. Her involvement followed her own diagnosis in late 2025 and her experience as the first patient at Stormont Vail Flint Hills to utilize new localization technology.
Why it matters
Sharing personal patient experiences alongside clinical advancements helps destigmatize cancer care and highlights the importance of early detection. Such advocacy efforts also bring focus to modern alternatives to traditional surgical methods.
Connie Wagers, who has 40 years of experience in medical imaging, became the first Stormont Vail patient to undergo breast cancer surgery using MagSeed and MagTrace technology. These tools act as non-radioactive alternatives for lesion and lymph node localization.
The players
Connie Wagers
She is the Regional Director of Procedural and Ancillary Services at Stormont Vail Flint Hills and a veteran of 40 years in medical imaging.
Stormont Vail Flint Hills
This is a regional healthcare provider in Kansas that offers specialized medical services including advanced surgical localization technology.
The details
The technology allows surgeons to localize lesions and identify lymph nodes for biopsy without radioactive materials. Wagers underwent both localized surgery and radiation treatment following her diagnosis.
Timeline
Connie Wagers received her breast cancer diagnosis in late 2025.
Wagers served as the Race Against Breast Cancer co-chair in October 2026.
Health Landscape
This story follows the pattern set by the Race Against Breast Cancer mammogram assistance program in prioritizing early diagnosis and accessible community resources. It demonstrates how regional health leaders can amplify these initiatives by bridging the gap between clinical innovation and patient advocacy.
Patients may benefit from inquiring whether their local surgeons use non-radioactive localization tools like MagSeed for breast procedures. These technologies can simplify surgical planning and reduce the need for specific radioactive materials.
The takeaway
Early detection remains the most critical factor in enabling successful localized surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients. Understanding available technological alternatives can help patients feel more informed and empowered throughout their own treatment process.
Further reading
For additional context on regional resources, visit the Cancer section.
More information
For more information on screening support, visit the Race Against Breast Cancer mammogram assistance portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wibw.
