Breast Cancer Community

It is so important to know your body and recognize changes. Two days before my 50th birthday, my husband found a lump in my left breast. I wasn't alarmed--it had smooth edges and seemed move. My husband was frantic--he wanted my doctor to order a mammogram while we were on vacation! I had already scheduled my yearly exam for a couple of weeks after vacation. My gynecologist agreed with me that it felt benign but ordered the mammogram and ultrasound. Keep in mind, I have had a yearly mammogram since I was 30. Nothing note-worthy on the mammogram even though the lump was marked. The ultrasound found it easily, but I was reassured by the ultrasound tech that it had all the appearances of a fatty tumor. The radiologist suggested a lumpectomy or needle biopsy. I went the the surgeon 2 days later and we scheduled the lumpectomy. The surgeon told me as we were leaving his office--"Don't worry, I've seen hundreds of these and I am 95% sure this is benign." A week after the lumpectomy, my surgeon called with the results. I am sure he was crying when he had to tell me it was cancer. He said, "The one person I never thought I would have this conversation with.." He gave me some time to think about how I wanted to proceed. He did have me get a breast MRI during the thinking time. The MRI was negative, but I after reading and researching, I decided I could tolerate a double mastectomy at 50 than the possibility of a return later. Two months after finding a lump, I had a double mastectomy. The left breast tissue had three other small areas that were cancerous when it was removed. Within three months of feeling a lump, I was declared cancer free by my oncologist. I weighed the option of Tamoxifen and decided against taking it. During my last check up, my new oncologist assured me I made all the right decisions and as long as I was followed by my surgeon or family doctor, there was no longer a need to see him.

It is so very important to be aware of your body and any changes that may occur. It is also very important to take control and make your decisions based on what is best for you. Knowledge is power! Be powerful in your fight!