Breast Cancer Is Not Always a Death Sentence

The majority of women in America have a deadly fear of getting breast cancer. They envision pain, suffering, loss of one or both breasts and ultimately, death.

These are the stories people hear, and for some victims of breast cancer, this turns out to be the case. However, there are many women who survive breast cancer and go on to lead happy, productive lives.

I am one of them.

Countless women have told me they are uncomfortable with the idea of checking their own breasts or getting mammograms. The result is that they avoid doing these things. They choose instead to ignore the fact that they are just as much at risk as the next woman.

How do I know this? I got breast cancer, and I had NONE of the risk factors for it. However, I have always made it a point to get an annual physical and to make sure my doctor included my female examinations in them. I also have always been proactive regarding my health.

When menopause reared its ugly head, my gynecologist began to insist that I go on hormone therapy. I had looked into the causes of breast cancer and found information that indicated there was a link between taking hormones and getting the disease. My doctor insisted this was not true. He was wrong.

Research showed that breast cancer feeds on estrogen, one of the main ingredients in hormone therapy medications. I chose to ignore this doctor's advice and avoid the risk. Had I chosen otherwise, I might not be alive today to write this article.

Because I get mammograms annually, my cancer was found early. There are things called micro calcifications that appear in the breasts of many women. Usually these are harmless. However, in some women their size, shape and number can indicate that a body is preparing itself for a major attack of breast cancer. This is what happened to me.

As soon as I realized I had a problem, I started researching to find the best surgeon. When I thought I knew which doctor I wanted, I checked him out on the internet, and I spoke with other doctors, nurses, his office staff and therapists. If I needed a mastectomy, I wanted to give myself every opportunity to do well with it.

The doctor I chose was doing cutting edge research in node mapping for breast cancer patients. During surgery, he injected dye into the areas where the cancer might spread. He removed one lymph node, and if it was clear, he did not need to remove others. I liked what I heard about him, and I liked what he was doing. This was my guy!

My husband and I agreed with the surgeon that I needed a mastectomy. He told me that once he removed the breast, he would also be removing the cancer. There was no option for a lumpectomy because it would be too risky in my case.

The surgery was done in one day and was surprisingly painless. The node mapping saved me from having any of the arm problems that often accompany a mastectomy.

We discussed rebuilding my breast, but I chose not to do so. Here is why:

• It meant having more surgery immediately, and possibly more surgery later.
• I was 60 years old and had a wonderful husband who loved me unconditionally.
• I was concerned about the possibility of infections.I wanted to avoid pain.I was just happy to be rid of the cancer and to know I was going to live.

This all took place in 2004. I realized early on that living without a breast is nothing compared to many things that can happen to people. This attitude was one of the things that sustained me throughout my ordeal.

To any woman or man reading this, understand that there is hope. There are many levels of breast cancer, and many are treatable. I have a cousin who has had a mastectomy as well as a lumpectomy. She is 78 years old right now. I have a friend who had a very serious breast cancer almost 20 years ago. She is in her early 60's has gone on to live a full, productive life.

There are many examples like these. Talk to people. You will be surprised just how many women and men there are around you that have had breast cancer and are now doing well.

Clearly, breast cancer is a villain. People must do whatever they can to fight it. To those who complain about the discomfort or embarrassment of testing and self exams, I say “A little bit of discomfort is a small price to pay for potentially saving your life."

The fight against breast cancer is far from over, but the good news is that we are winning. The American Cancer Society reports that deaths from breast cancer have been declining at a rate of 2% annually since 1990. Their recent statistics show that 2.6 million breast cancer survivors are living in the United States today.

This proves that there is hope, but you must do your part. Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence, but it's up to you to protect yourself. Do your monthly breast exams and get your annual mammograms. I'm here now because I did those things, and I want you to be here with me as well.