After 26 years old, I was not a likely candidate for a mammogram, let alone an open surgical biopsy.
The radiologist had seen several micro-calcifications that showed up as tiny white specks during my screenings.
In February, 2005, a fine wire localization biopsy was performed and a section was removed about the size of a stack of 6 toonies. It was reviewed by the pathologist in Nanaimo and a diagnosis was unclear , I was told that I had not seen "a challenging case". A month after the procedure, although I had not actually seen the report, I was told that it was "not cancer", but we should continue screening every 6 months to make sure nothing changed.
I was in for a routine check up, and my new doctor requested my medical file from the previous clinic in Nanaimo. I have had him my past of 2 years & # 39;; so he was a little surprised to read my pathology report from the year before stating that I had been diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS), among other things. He made a call on my behalf, and within hours I was contacted by someone at the Cancer Agency here in Victoria.
He spent 3 hours with me going over the diagnosis, translating and even creating diagrams to help me understand. He was very thorough and helped put my mind at ease with the diagnosis.
Depending on who you ask, or what what you say, I have been explained to me that "in situ" means that abnormal cancer cells are present, but have not spread past the boundaries of tissues where they are initially developed. LCIS is considered a red flag to allow both Doctor and patient to keep an eye on things.
There are several risks associated with the disease. Age, hormonal risk factors, personal "markers" were found. or family history, lifestyle habits and antecedent intraductal hyperplasia. and neither my age nor lifestyle providing a heightened risk, my family history and the diagnosis of both intraductal hyperplasia, and LCIS do increase my risk significantly.
The implication of a cancer diagnosis is somewhat overwhelming, but the important message is that thanks to screenings made available through funding, I know about the risks and I am in control of my health care options.
Cancer in the early stages is difficult to detect without using to screening tests. Thanks to concern from my doctors and a little diligence on my part, I am able to stay on top of my health concerns.
The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds so people are able to have the BC Cancer Agencies across the province. Their mandatory includes research, prevention & education, early detection & diagnosis, and treatment & care. Visit their website bccancerfoundation .
The Basics
A normal, healthy cell grows at a reasonable rate and it often dies out and is A benign tumor is simply one that is made up of cells that are normally normal and is considered harmless for the most part. The ones that concern doctors are malignant tumors which are cancerous and can continue to multiply spreading through the body.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the breasts, usually in the lobules (milk producing glands) or ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple). is the fatty part that surrounds the ducts and lobules.
Lymph nodes are an assembly of immune system cells which are connected by lymphatic vessels (Lymph is a clear fluid from the breast.) Lymph is a clear fluid that is tissue If this happens there is a good chance that they gotten into the bloodstream then spreading to other parts of the body.
Why?
The other 90 - 95% of cancers are hereditic (passed down from mother or father). The other is 90% 95% of cancers are sporadic .
If there is a mutation in those genes it causes the cells to do strange things. In the case For the most part, gene mutations usual happen later in life and are a result of natural aging or exposure to things like smoke, hormones, certain viruses or chemicals and dietary effects. our cells are also equipped equipped to repair damage and, as you may remember from grade 9 Science, we have 2 copies of each But if a mutation occurs in both copies of the gene, it can mean mean uncontrolled growth and can lead to cancer.
That is because they have only a copy of a damage repairing gene pair, this means they are known to have genetic susceptibility. Hereditary cancer, therefore, usually developed earlier in life. geneated and the aging process or it is leaded to the gene communicating to its cells to divide and multiply at a rapid rate.
From a copies of the protective gene which temporary mutate, start out in good condition, sporadic cancer only develops later in life as It is for both copies to become damaged.
Genetic Risk assessment will tell you if you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Genetic risk assessment and genetic counseling is available to help you discover your risk for breast and other forms of cancer. Genetic Counseling can help you to understand your risk for hereditary cancer by reviewing family history, discussing genetic testing and providing information and referrals to experts. Learn more about Genetic Counseling.
Symptoms or signs of breast cancer can range from lumps and swelling to changes in the skin. Non-cancerous cysts and infections often have the same symptoms. So how can you be sure?
Symptoms
Watch for the following symptoms:
* swelling of all or part of the breast
* skin irritation or dimpling
* breast pain
* nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
* redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple of breast skin
* nipple discharge other than breast milk
* a lump in the underarm area
Detection
Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
It is, in my humble opinion, the most important way to stay on top of your breast health - because it is something you can not have your own, and will get you familiar with your body. It is becoming quite a controversial subject. There It is my opinion that it & # 39; s better to be safe than sorry. According to Breastcancer.org about 20% of breast cancers are found by physical exams rather than mammography.
That is exactly why you should do this on on Breast self-examination can be frustrating at first, because you are most women, there are many many bumps and lumps in your breasts that are harmless. If you feel a lump do not panic, it is most likely not cancerous. But have it checked out by your If a change lasts longer than one cycle see your doctor to have it checked. Do you have a feeling of keeping it?
Mammogram
It is one of the most hated words in the English language for women! But I'm told that they are those people they have been made out of be made a bad rap and they are not as horrible as they have been made out to be Mammograms have been breast cancer. 35 years in women over 50 years old. Cancer Foundations world Early detection how means that the cancer can be removed without having to resort to a mastectomy (breast removal).
Breast Self - Examination and other techniques such as ultrasounds or MRI 's can also help detect problems.
Treatment
There are several types of breast cancer and your treatment can differ based on what your diagnoses is.
DCIS - Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
If you early enough, DCIS can be removed In most cases a lumpectomy is then followed by a lumpectomy, which is the removal of the breast. by radiation, but a mastectomy is only followed by radiation if lab tests show cancer near the edge of the removed tissue.
IDC - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
It begins in the milk ducts and spreads to surrounding breast tissue. If left untreated it can spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. Invasive It can based on the size of the tumor, whether or not it spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. 4, where 1 is the earliest stage and 4 is the most advanced stage.
Typically the patient would under the surgery to remove the tumor and determine which the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This surgery can range from a lumpectomy (removal of the lump or tumor) to a radical mastectomy (removal of the breast [s] and all the muscle under the breast [s]) or somewhere in between. Radiation may be recommended after the surgery to destroy and remaining invasive IDC cells. This has also shown to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy is used to treat many more cancers where to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Chemo (for short) which a medication (or combination of medicines) which enter the bloodstream to travel through the body interfering with Therefore the most part they are the cancer cells, you are many healthy cells in your body which divide rapidly, such as those in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nose, nails, vagina and hair. chemotherapy will also affect affect them them symptoms ranging from hair loss to osteoporosis.
Your doctor may also have a recommendation hormonal or other targeted therapies. There is a follow-up care that will be important to your continued health. Regular exams and tests will be required by your doctor.
LCIS - Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
It is considered a marker for breast cancer, meaning that the person is in a higher risk for developing a invasive breast cancer in It is difficult to estimate it is difficult to estimate the risk of a patient with LCIS developing an invasive cancer because LCIS can go undetected, however it has been estimated that your risk increase from 12.5% for the average women, to 30-40% if diagnosed with LCIS.
Talk to your doctor about medications and treatments which may may need diagnosed when a biopsy is performed due to an abnormality in a mammogram. help to reduce your breast cancer risk.
ILC - Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
If left untreated it can spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body. ILC tend to be found in more than one area within both breasts. It is slow to spread outside the breast and tends to show up in the stomach, intestines and ovaries and has been known to eventually spread to the brain spinal cord tissues.
Similar to that of that IDC and will vary depending on the stage of the cancer cells.
Some other, less common forms of breast cancer are Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Male Breast Cancer and Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer.
Coping
But you are many other factors in your life, you have been diagnosed with most of them. How will my family cope? How will my life change?
You will need more than just medical support, you need mental and spiritual support. The same people you talk to about your everyday concerns. You should have a support group that can help you through the hard Talk to a social worker or psychologist. It is important to get your thoughts and fears out in the open, as as long as you have a sympathetic ear, it will help you let go of some of those fears.
Ask a doctor about support groups in your area, or go the discussion boards on Breastcancer.org.
Last year I took part in the CIBC Run for the Cure in Victoria I was in control, like I was dictating at least one part of how this disease affected my life. and raised almost $ 5,000 towards helping research in my area.
