October 2009 Archives
Newly diagnosed with breast cancer?
Wonder where I have been during October, Breast-Cancer Awareness Month? Busy with book signings, Reach to Recovery training for the American Cancer Society, and my new job as church secretary. But I am still very much engaged in the cause.
Here’s some interesting information for those who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who is:
1. For aid in decision-making about breast-cancer treatment, visit www.mytreatmentdecision.com.
2. An interesting study about surgical decisions was published recently in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (www.cancerconsultants.com/surgical-decision-making-early-stage-breast-cancer). Regardless of race or ethnicity, more women with early-stage breast cancer who were active in their own decision-making chose mastectomy than those who made a “shared or surgeon-based decision,” even though mastectomies and lumpectomies have been shown to be equivalent. Women concerned about recurrence or the effects of radiation were more likely to opt for mastectomy than those who did not share those concerns. In contrast, women concerned about body image or their spouse’s opinion were more likely to undergo a lumpectomy than those who did not voice those concerns.
This finding rang true for me: when I first had breast cancer at 43, I was concerned about body image and chose lumpectomy. But when at 53 I was diagnosed with a recurrence in the same breast, body image went out the window, and I chose a bilateral mastectomy. After my second bout with cancer I wished I had chosen a mastectomy the first time to avoid the recurrence and radiation effects. God had His reasons, however (one of them being to tell my story), and I’m good with that.
Happy October!
Jan
