Breast cancer? My sister died 10 yrs. ago at age 36 of reoccurence of aggressive, 3rd stage BC.?

Question

At the time of initial diagnosis had a 1 & 2yr. old, chose to only have one breast removed rather than full masectomy. She underwent intensive chemo & radiation. When it came back, it was in practically every organ. Realizing this was 10 yrs. ago & a lot has changed, I can't imagine why they would have given a choice of complete masectomy? The only thing I can think of that may have influenced her decision was that she had a jerk of a husband who made her cancer all about him & that he only had 1 real breast left for his pleasure. I know, sick, but heard him actually give her a hard time about this in front of others even! Real loser. Anyway, I am recently diagnosed so it has brought all of this to the forefront again. Any thoughts on how they proceeded 10 yrs. ago?

Answer 1

Ten years ago, they didnt have the high tech stuff they have today. And total breast re-constructions were not really a consideration, so if you lost a breast or breasts you usually were flat chested for the rest of you life.

Technology with breast cancer has come along in leaps and bounds. I was watching a show on television where this young woman in her 20s chose to have both her breasts removed because breast cancer ran rampant in her entire family. She was not diagnosed with breast cancer at the time, but she knew it would only be time before she did, so she chose the lesser of two evils. The surgeons removed both breasts and a reconstructive surgeon was there at the time and reconstructed new breasts....so, it was a one operation procedure. Ten years ago, it was a long and involved process to have new breasts reconstructed, if in fact that procedure was even offered to you. Now it is totally different. Anyway, this young girl who chose to have her breasts removed and had new ones constructed was so happy with the outcome....she could now live her life feeling happy that she wouldnt contract breast cancer and she was even happier about the look of her new boobs.

This television show I would think gave real hope to breast cancer sufferers and really made losing your breasts not that bigger deal. I also think the way they did the operation gave her some kind of sensation in her breasts as well. Like I said technologies have come along so far, and if diagnosed early enough more breast cancer sufferers go on to live a full and healthy life whereas 10 years ago the mortality rate was practically doubled or maybe even tripled to that of the mortality rate with sufferers these days.

If I was in your situation, I would have no hesitation in having both my breasts removed if it gave me a guarantee that I would still be around in 30/40 years time, but I would also opt for reconstructive surgery as well. Masectomy 10 years ago was considered the "norm". Now with the way the medical technologies have improved, masectomy isnt as common as it used to be, and they just remove the lump and the surrounding tissues. This is a decision that you and your specialist can come to. He will be able to tell you about the different kind of procedures.

In your situation though it sounds like breast cancer runs in the family, and your sister was diagnosed with it at such an early age, therefore I am assuming you are quite young yourself, so if it was me, I would be thinking seriously about having both my breasts removed, but like I said with the advances in technologies now, maybe that is not necessary now. Your specialist will be able to go into more detail about this. If you dont get the answers you need, shop around, find someone who is prepared to do what you want to happen. Surf the net, get as much information as you possibly can, and join a breast cancer support group.

It is a very difficult time for you, get as much support and information as you possibly can, and then you will be in a postion to tell your surgeon what you want. Make an informed decision based on your family history, not exclusively on what your surgeon recommends. This is your body, and you have a right to say what you want done with it.

I feel for you, I really do. I hope everything turns out well, and I hope you will have a reasonable Christmas. I wont wish you a merry one because I know you will be worried. There are no miracle words anyone can say to any woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and that is why I implore you to get as much information as you possible can. Take care.

Answer 2

I have a friend, 30 yrs young and has Kidney cancer within 6 weeks, her cancer was down to 2%, HOW? She took the mangosteen juice, her doctor was amazed that this happened, she has energy, looks great, took only 1 chemo , and her hair fell off only in 3 spots, now her hair is growing even healthier, If I hadn't seen this with my own eyes, I could not believe it.
check out the "21 day cancer challenge" at www.MangosteenExperiences.com
and to hear doctor Tootla a renowned Cancer specialist, go to www.GoXanthones.com/olivia
for the science of this go to www.pubmed.com enter xanthones and/or mangosteen.
my prayers to you.

Answer 3

Breast cancer most often involves glandular breast cells in the ducts or lobules. Most patients present with an asymptomatic lump discovered during examination or screening mammography. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy. Treatment usually includes surgical excision, often with radiation therapy and adjuvant systemic therapy.
Please see the web pages for more details on Breast cancer.

Answer 4

Canada's national newspaper has been doing a series on cancer. Go to www.globeandmail.com. Look for an article on Chemotherapy that ran on December19th.

Also check these links; www.y-me.org, www.mayoclinic.org ww.webmd.com,www.uhnresearch.ca
www.nih.org.

Answer 5

Yah, please learn more about what you can do besides conventional care.

http://www.sharemanna.com