Ann Romney, wife of former governor Mitt Romney, was released from the hospital following a lumpectomy after her recent diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said that her husband was with her and, “she’s feeling fine.”

In a statement released by an aide, Ann Romney disclosed that she has been diagnosed with a precancerous lump in her breast; the diagnosis, Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, is not technically considered cancer because it has not become invasive.

Ann and his husband said they feel fortunate to have caught the lump so early; “it reminds us how important is for women to have regular mammograms,” the two said in the statement. She said the lumpectomy did not require hospitalization. In the vast majority of cases, patients who undergo lumpectomy make a full recovering.

Early detection is one of the key elements of surviving breast cancer. Breast screening is very important, as early detection of breast cancer usually offers a better chance of successful treatment. Studies have shown that regular mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by as much as one-third.

Ann Romney was diagnosed 10 years ago with multiple sclerosis. The disease initially left her severely debilitated, but she has succeeded in keeping it under control. She has openly talked about her battle with multiple sclerosis, and with the help of medication and alternative therapies, she was able to participate fully in her husband campaign.

Those who know Ann say she is a strong fighter and with the help of her family and her strength she is going to fight the cancer.

Romney, now a 59-year-old mother of five, met her husband at a party in 1965. He was 18 and she was 15. They married four years later.