Doctors perform breast cancer surgery live at Dallas hospital

DALLAS - Modesty and privacy were out the door when one North Texas woman had breast cancer surgery. People around the world watched her.

Doctors at Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas removed Sonia Johnson's tumor on Facebook Live Thursday morning as a way to draw attention to breast cancer and the importance of screenings.

She and her team of doctors also hoped the unusual event would spark the necessary dialogue about breast cancer.

"This patient is going to have a scar-less surgery where we make an incision in her armpit and take out the cancer and the lymph nodes through one incision with no incisions on her breast," said Dr. Allison DiPasquale, a breast cancer surgeon.

The director of Susan G. Komen, as well as a radiation oncologist, were there talking during the live broadcast to describe what was happening in the operating room. They also give tips and answered any viewers' questions.

Dr. DiPasquale talked about her pride in Johnson.

"The patient is amazing. I have a wonderful, inspirational patient who is willing to put her body on display to raise awareness for breast cancer," the surgeon said. "This is breast cancer awareness is a month, but it should be year-round."

While prepping for the procedure, Johnson told FOX 4 that other cancer survivors really helped and inspired her.

"And it helped me to fight the battle. It helped me to understand the battle that I was walking. And the journey, this is not a three-month journey. This a 365-day journey," she said.

She hopes others will feel encouraged to get cancer screenings like she did.

For updates and to watch a replay of Johnson's surgery, visit Methodist Charlton's Facebook page.

You can also join the fight against breast cancer by joining the 2018 Komen Dallas Race for the Cure or by making a donation. The race is Saturday at NorthPark Center in Dallas and FOX 4 is a proud sponsor. For more information, visit komen-dallas.org.