Roberta's Lesson: It pays to have annual mammograms
Age at Diagnosis: 67
Breast Cancer Type: Ductal Carcinoma in situ in right breast, and lobular cell carcinoma on left areola
Lymph Node Status: Lymph nodes on both sides were all free of cancer
Tumor Description: 1.5 centimeters on areola of left breast, right breast not discovered until surgeon received pathology report from lab after mastectomy
Surgery: Bilateral mastectomy
Treatments: Because the lobular cell was only 1.5 centimeters, chemotherapy or radiation therapy was not needed. Started immediately on 5 years of Arimidex to prevent recurrence. Expected to finish treatment in May 2010.
Mammogram and Hidden Breast Cancer
I learned that it pays to have annual mammograms.
The cancer in my right breast (carcinoma in situ of the ductal type) was not known until after my surgery when the surgeon received my pathology report from the lab. Since it was completely removed and all lymph nodes were negative, nothing further was needed on the right side. The lobular cell cancer on my left side was not within my breast tissue. It was on myareola and was only 1.5 centimeters.
All my lymph nodes were negative on both sides. This is why my oncologist said I did not need chemotherapy or radiation therapy. I have been on Arimidex now for 4.5 years and have only six months to go - then I will be considered cancer-free.
My Life Lesson
I truly am one of the lucky ones, as I insisted on yearly mammograms and when recommended to have one at 6 months, I had it done.
