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| Wanda Sykes Photo © Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown |
Outspoken comedian Wanda Sykes busted out of the breast cancer closet during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. Sykes said that her diagnosis of DCIS - ductal carcinoma in situ - was discovered during breast reduction surgery that she had in February of this year. Sykes said that her natural breasts were "real big," and had been causing back pain. Her original intention had been to lighten her burden, but that plan had not included total removal of both breasts. When routine pathology tests were done on the tissue removed during breast reduction surgery, her breast cancer was found.
Sykes explained her decision for a double mastectomy as a fairly practical one. She has a family history of cancer, and is raising two-year-old twins with partner Alex Sykes. The comedian joked that she didn't want to keep up with breast exams every three months, saying that keeping up appointments wasn't her strong suit. "I'm not good at keeping on top of stuff. I'm sure I'm overdue for an oil change and a teeth cleaning already," said Sykes.
Not quite so funny was her statement that, "I had both breasts removed," Sykes said, "because now I have zero chance of having breast cancer." There is some controversy about a diagnosis of DCIS, which some consider "Stage 0" cancer, or a pre-cancerous condition. Sykes's doctors had not recommended mastectomy or preventative medications, but only simple vigilance. For women with a genetic mutation - Sykes did not reveal if she had been tested for the BRCA gene - prophylactic mastectomy may be considered. But even then, radical surgery is no guarantee of reducing your risk for breast cancer to zero. Breast cancer may be found in the lymph nodes, in breast skin, or in chest wall muscles - even if preventative surgery has been done. There's no argument that Sykes had greatly reduced her chance of developing breast cancer, but there is no gold-plated method for women or men for prevention of this disease.
Wanda Sykes made a very difficult decision, and I certainly wish her well. She is 47, has very young children to consider, and hopefully has a long life and future career ahead. I don't know if she has opted for breast reconstruction, or if she will try out breast prostheses. No matter which road she pursues, I am sure she can find a jolting ray of humor in it.
Did she make a good decision? Or did she go too far? Tell me what you think.
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I think she did what made her feel safe, and that’s OK. I had a lumpectomy for Stage 0 DCIS in August of this year, followed by accelerated radiation (SAVI-a five-day, twice-a-day treatment routine). I’m 65, and I feel comfortable with that decision. If I were her age, I might have opted for a mastectomy. That was my other option. We must each get the best advice we can get and then do what we must do to allow us to live with the reality of being cancer survivors. The key word is SURVIVE!
As a 2+ year survivor (and having a mother that is a 25+ year survivor) this is an issue that really irks me. Treatment and surgery is a highly personal and individual and it is not fair of any of us to judge someone else’s decisions — especially as survivors, I would think all of us would show more tolerance and support. Wanda Sykes should be applauded for going public and there may well have been other variables that weighed in on her decision that we are unaware of — and that is her right!
As a Stage 1, I was offered a lumpectomy and radiation — but I knew the stress of additional surveillance on my remaining breast would be too much to bear so I opted for a bilateral. My cancer had not spread and I was spared chemo and radiation … you’d think I was some kind of pariah by the reactions of many women in my support group. The cattiness was beyond reproach, how certain members felt I had it “easier” … completely dismissing that I too, had lost my breasts and worse, not ever crossing their minds that people who don’t require chemo are even more fearful of recurrence because we don’t have that extra level of protection.
While I tested negative for BRCA, my medical team deemed the result ‘inconclusive’ based on my family history. My poor mother initially had a mastectomy 25+ years ago and when she went for reconstruction (which was not started immediately as it is today) opted to remove the remaining breast due to her fears. Pathology confirmed that this was a good decision and my mother is still alive today because of that courageous decision — which at the time, was considered barbaric.
(Continued)
I normally don’t have such strong reactions to a post, but unless you have the specifics from Wanda Sykes’ medical team, I don’t think it is fair for anyone to challenge her decision. Had the comments been limited to educating people that a bilateral does not reduce risk of recurrence to zero, that would have been one thing — but the post speculated as to whether this surgery was indicated, and frankly, that is nobody’s business but her own.
BC is horrific and while we must all advocate for ourselves, we should also support the very difficult decisions that we each make.
i work in a nsg home and i see 97 yr old women two breast removel from yrs ago they survive all these yrs so can Wanda
My LCIS in left breast was watched carefully for 8 years before it became invasive. Most in situ stage 0 are just ticking time bombs. I, too, opted for bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction, even though my first surgeon recommended wide excision (lumpectomy). Upon pathology, invasive cancer was in my right breast tissue as well. My decision was based on not wanting to have questionable mammograms every few months, and all the anxiety those would cause. Wanda did the right thing for her. Good for Wanda! It’s a tough, tough decision to make.
THANK YOU for wirting this article and pointing out that prophylactic bilateral mastectomies DO NOT REDUCE YOUR RECURRENCE TISK TO ZERO.
When I heard her say that I was horrified. I wish Ellen would put some kind of retraction on her show to educate the thousands of women who heard that and may make decisions based on that faulty information.
I too was diagnosed with DCIS and considered the option of removing both breasts to “be done with it”. I opted for lumpectomy when I learned you cannot truly EVER be done with it. I also work in breast oncology and see women every day who are misinformed. We strive to educate every one of them so they can make an informed decision.
It is a personal decision and she did what was best for her-which is the right decision. BUt lets be clear, she reduced her recurrence risk GREATLY but NOT completely. I wish her the very best!
I believe she made right decision and I would do exactly the same. I am 48 years old. I have a strong history of breast cancer; both my sisters and my mother have had breast cancer. All the same type but each did something different. I can tell you our youngest sister who did only a lumpectomy was given chemo and radiation lives in fear every day of getty her cancer back. Our other sister was diagnosed a year ago had a double mastectomy and needed no chemo and radiation. My mother had it first 10 years ago and had a mastectomy with chemo.
I am having MRI’s and mammograms every 6 months because if I can catch it early enough I won’t have to have chemo and radiation.
I have both of my breast remove too with two year gap.The right one has a stage 1 tumor and my left luckily is negative of tumor but has plenty of micro calcifications.
I cant bear the anxiety of having mammograms every now and then. I have all the risk factors (my mom and aunt has breast CA) and I have on my right breast and microcalcifications which has to be monitored every 6 months.
It was a hard decision to have a “prophylactic mastectomy”. I found it hard to convince doctors to do it (I went to see 3). Finally the 4th one after a long talk agreed to refer me to a surgeon who will do it.
Its been six months now that I had my mastectomy. I know its not an assurance but I feel relieved that I wont be agonizing with every mammogram or ultrasound result . I feel happier to see my loved ones spared from that agony too.
I think a woman who experience having cancer and survived knows whats best for her. It will always be a tough decision to make but a liberating one though.
It’s always a touch decision, but it’s HER decision – so sounds like a good one!
Having had breast cancer I understand some of the hard decisions that have to be made. After talking to several doctors and educating myself, I made a decision that was right for me. Then I talked to a number of women who opted for different courses of action and I listened. We need to listen to and respect the decisions that women make regarding their bodies. Women being chastised for their decisions during such a difficult time makes me feel sad.
to carenina, in response to your “I cant bear the anxiety of having mammograms every now and then”.
We have Thermography at our Wellness Center. It is another way to test for abnormalites in the breast. It is totally safe -no radiaiton and no compression. It can see things 8 years sooner than a mammogram. You should google it to see where it is done in your area. We are located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and have been doing this since 2003 for our female clients.
She did what was right for her and the is what is right. She should be careful when she makes these statements but who knows what she was told by some nurse or MD who may have given her that impression? Nothing is “overdone” unless is causes later problems for someone…I agree with not wanting to have to be screened that often…nothing is full proof, not screening, not full treatment, nothing…she she absolutely did the right thing…the right thing her HER and her peace of mind…which place a huge part of healing and recovery.
DCIS IS cancer, not pre-cancerous as you stated in your newsletter. It is non-invasive cancer. Non-invasive cancers are still cancer. As I was told, by both my on-site oncologist and Mayo clinic oncologists, having DCIS and LCIS both made it imperative that I get treatment for my breast cancer, even though it was contained. Having the cancer spreading through ducts and lobules only made it a matter of time before it did become invasive.
I think you have to do what it is best for yourself. I chose to have a bi-lateral and wonder everyday did I make the right decision—–especially since the reconstruction process has failed for me numerous times.
One just needs to be aware of all the possible outcomes. As the other post pointed out—-you are not exempt from breast cancer just because one opts to remove their breast but instead the chance of it recurring are significantly LOWER.
I agree with Wanda’s decision. I have had one of my breast removed due to stage 2b cancer, when Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy are finished I will have a mastectomy on my remaining breat. I’m 56 years young I’m not going to have reconstruction. The reason for my decision is I want to live a full and long life, having the remaining breat at a higher chance of getting cancer is not a positive way of life. Surgical reconstruction can make it harder in the furture if any cancer comes back to find. We need to hear what our bodies are telling us. 1 out of 8 women will diagnosed with breat cancer.
Everyone has to do what is right for them, and other need to respect the person for the decision that they make. Think about living with the word cancer over your head…
I also agree with Wanda’s decision. I had a bi-lateral in 2010. No reconstrustion for me. I had the chemo and followed it up with the Herceptin. I do not feel any less of a woman now then before I had the cancer. I wish that women and men would not sit and dewell on the cancer. Get up and exercise, I know there are days you feel like poop but exercising helps soooo much. It also helps with recovery. Kudos to you Wanda.
I think each case should be on an individual basis. Everyone should have the opportunity to decide on the best care for themselves after discussing it with their physician. Everyone deals with breat cancer differently.
Ms. Sykes decision was totally her own to make! I would not want anyone judging my choices when faced with invasive ductal carcinoma. It was terrifying to get a BC diagnosis of any kind! 1 in 8 women will ! My life was put in turmoil as I embarked on a list of appointments for diagnostic scans and treatments. Luckily, I have a marvelous support system, so I am in quite a positive frame of mind most days. But, every one who receives a cancer diagnosis deserves the right to make their own best decision based on input from their medical team, their own family history, and what works for them. No one has an easy time!
I agree with Juli my sister was diagnosed with DCIS done a lumpectomy 5years pass and it got invasive,mine was invasive ductal carcinoma done modified radical mastectomy no reconstruction and hope it will never recure. I am also a two year survivor.I think she done the right thing.
I’m a little surprised that you present only two post surgery choices for Sykes: breast reconstruction or prosthesis. Does our femininity depend upon whether or not we have breasts?
Joanne, You raise 2 good points, if I may put it that way. Although Western culture puts a lot of emphasis on female breasts as a badge and blazing beacon of femininity, I don’t think that having breasts of any size is what makes a woman female, feminine, or desirable. Breasts are not medically essential. Many women choose to go natural after having a double mastectomy – a brave decision and one which I would support. – Pam Stephan