Breast Cancer Changed My Life, but the Change Was Positive

As a patient who has fought the disease, I have a new purpose in life: helping other women become stronger during cancer treatment!

I always avoided breast self-examination because I had dense breasts and could not tell whether there was a lump or mass. Instead, I had regular annual mammograms . Four years ago, a mammogram result was negative, and I felt relieved. However, my doctor’s report indicated that because I had dense breast tissue, I needed ultrasound as an additional test. The ultrasound showed a small mass in my left breast that had not appeared on the mammogram.

I was lucky! Pathology from the mass biopsy and radiological examinations revealed stage 1 breast cancer. My surgeon initially recommended breast-conserving surgery, lumpectomy , followed by radiotherapy. However, from the moment of diagnosis, I strongly felt that both breasts should be removed; I felt intensely that I needed to be more proactive about completely eliminating this cancer. I did not want to face further cancer or recurrence that might remain hidden on mammography or undetected by ultrasound.

The cancer in my left breast was small and deep, and there was no sign of cancer in my right breast, but I requested prophylactic mastectomy (preventive removal of both breasts). This was because I have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, putting me at higher risk for a BRCA mutation. I had undergone genetic testing to screen for mutations. As a mother of two young daughters, these cancer risk factors worried me, and I thought about their future. We also needed to do whatever was necessary to reduce the risk.

- Related Topic: Who should undergo genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer?

Making Difficult Choices

Genetic testing showed that I was BRCA2-positive, further strengthening my wish for bilateral preventive breast cancer surgery and cosmetic breast reconstruction. Because of increased ovarian cancer risk, I also had my ovaries removed. I know I am also at high risk for pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma, and I remain vigilant.

I am very fortunate to have a healthcare team that listens to my concerns, addresses my needs and includes me in all decisions about my care. However, I know not every cancer survivor has these opportunities and experiences.

My main concerns involve my daughters. My younger daughter is 27, and after a mammogram showed a large mass in her left breast, she also had preventive bilateral mastectomy. The mass was benign, but she underwent surgery because of hereditary risk and intense anxiety. She is now planning when to have her ovaries removed. My older daughter has increased risks of thyroid, breast and ovarian cancer. She remains undecided about having her breasts or ovaries removed. These are not easy decisions for young women who have not yet had children.

Being a Voice for Others

I was actively involved in my parents’ healthcare decisions near the end of their lives. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew what my own best medical care should be; choosing radical treatments and following up genetic tests could save my life.

Since my diagnosis, I have joined many breast cancer support groups and met women with doubts about treatments and side effects . I discussed these issues with them because I do not want them to feel disappointed in or angry with their doctors. I am happy to help these women and advise them to pay attention to their own feelings about their care and speak up if they have concerns about their oncologists or healthcare team. Fears should be discussed and solutions sought. After all, we know our bodies best.

Living Life to the Fullest

Cancer changed me, but the change was positive. I have found a new purpose in life and am very pleased to help other women become empowered and find strength in their cancer experiences. I did not want cancer, but it also added positive things to my life.

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This article is a translation of Sherri Rosenthal’s interview with ascopost . She provides a good example of how people with hereditary breast cancer should be monitored and treated . However, in nonhereditary breast cancer, surgery on the other healthy breastis unnecessary, costly and reduces quality of life. Not all breast cancers are treated the same way; dozens of risk factors and patient-related circumstances affect treatment decisions. Your medical oncologist, familiar with the entire disease course before and after treatment, will determine both which treatments are most suitable and which are unsuitable through a decision-making process in which you actively participate.