Facing the diagnostic of breast cancer is one of the most feared experiences in our society.
AG, patient at HC Marbella International Hospital, has faced this diagnosis with the same great courage as all affected women do.
Today, we want to clear many doubts that cause us fear and as always convey that early diagnosis is our best weapon to beat breast cancer.
HC: Hello AG. Thank you for working with us here.
We know that a mammogram is the best test to make an early diagnosis of breast cancer. Many women are scared of having it done because they think that it is very painful. Could you tell us about your experience?
AG: I did not find the mammogram painful, only uncomfortable as it compresses the breast. But I did not feel pain at any time.
HC: What other diagnostic tests have been performed: Biopsy? Ultrasound? MRI? Pet CT? What would you like to point out about them?
AG: Other tests that I went through are ultrasound, MRI and biopsy.
HC: We know that about 10% of all breast cancers are hereditary. Are there other women affected in your family?
AG: In my family there have been more cases of breast cancer: my mother passed away at age 51, my sister was diagnosed at age 30 but she is healthy as a horse and it’s already been 15 years since then and my maternal grandmother as well as my paternal aunt also suffered from it.
HC: When did you start your check-ups?
AG: I started undergoing thorough breast exams at age 32, but started gynaecological exams at age 20.
HC: How old were you when you were with diagnosed breast cancer?
AG: I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37.
HC: What treatments did you undergo?
AG: They applied chemotherapy and as I was hormone-receptor-negative I did not have hormonal treatment.
HC: Did the doctors inform you about reconstructive surgery? Did you undergo any breast reconstruction? What views do you have about it?
AG: From the beginning, I was informed about reconstructive surgery and the possibility of undergoing it at the same time as the surgery to remove the tumour. Nevertheless, I opted for bilateral prophylactic mastectomy to get rid of the problem at the source.
I didn’t have breasts for two years and during the third year I underwent breast reconstruction and obtained fantastic results. I recovered my femininity and my body returned to normal. I can even say I feel beautiful.
HC: You are young and like all women, your femininity is important and you like to feel beautiful. Your quality of life is very important. Do you think this aspect of women’s surgery was addressed during your treatment?
AG: At first, my priority was to be cured, so I didn’t really care about feeling beautiful. Furthermore, the oncologists that treated me didn’t stress the importance of physical appearance either, because I was still overcoming my fear of cancer. Undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy was hard enough but the worst part was overcoming the fear of dying.
I think that if I had opted from the beginning for breast reconstruction, the whole process would have been less traumatic. The shock of seeing myself completely flat and with 50 surgical staples running across my body after the first treatment definitely heightened the sensation of going through something very serious.
Once I overcame this fear, I started to want to feel beautiful again. During the reconstruction process, I felt good because the wonderful professional that restored my breasts conveyed the importance of looking in the mirror again and seeing a whole woman. It really was incredible to see how my body was changing and returning to what it was before.
During the first stage of treatment, I only saw the practical side of things. I was focused on healing and nothing else. Although I do think that looking in the mirror and realizing that in the end it’s still the same body is important for recovery.
With no hair and no breasts, it was difficult to see myself as a normal woman, but I slowly started to retrieve my old body and thanks to reconstructive surgery (and my wonderful doctor), I became me again.
HC: And at a gynaecological level?
AG: The gynaecological part was fine. I continued with my regular exams, which complemented the oncological tests.
HC: Have there been any repercussions on your fertility?
AG:With regards to fertility, it worked out because there was a time when I considered having more kids. The doctors informed me that two years after the last chemotherapy session, I could get pregnant again. In the end, I decided not to, but knowing that I had that option gave me strength and cheered me up.
HC: Did you need rehabilitation?
AG: I didn’t need physical therapy; however, I did take up sports once I finished chemotherapy and I started to feel stronger. They recommended three hours of aerobics three times per week, so this has been my routine ever since. Yoga also helped because it teaches you breathing techniques and how to combine strength and flexibility. The truth is I live a full life.
HC: How has this affected you at a psychological level?
AG: On a psychological level, the worst thing, which needs to be addressed from the beginning, is fear. Beyond that, seeing yourself physically ill, feeling weak, and seeing that you can’t do everything you would like to do because of treatment, is hard but temporary.
The fear of dying and leaving your children motherless was what affected me the most, although I have to say that I received a lot of love from my friends and family, which is essential to overcome all these fears.
I also didn’t take too well to the constant exams. A whole week before, my heart would already be racing. It’s still hard but I decided to change my perception and see them as something necessary to find peace.
During this whole process, it has been crucial to deal with professionals that are approachable, empathetic and completely trustworthy; not cold and distant doctors that sit behind a desk and read terrifying test results.
The openness of the professionals that treated me has helped make this period easier for me.
HC: How do you feel now and what exams do you still undergo?
AG: Now I feel good and I have annual reviews.
HC: What would you ask of your doctors, to improve your experience?
AG: Nothing because the doctors that do my follow-ups are like family. We’ve known each other for years, they know me like a book and they know how to treat me.
I remember that it was hard at first because I had to deal with doctors that didn’t take into account the psychological part of the illness; especially certain oncologists that showed me statistics that left me a bit disheartened.
When I came across this kind of doctor, I immediately asked for a different one, because my basic need was to receive encouragement and attentive care.
HC: What would you suggest to other women?
AG: Essentially prevention and periodic screening. Once diagnosed with the illness, to have hope because the survival rate of breast cancer is very high these days.
It’s very important to trust your health specialists, to lead a healthy lifestyle, to have a balanced diet, to do a lot of exercises, to surround yourself with loving people, to avoid stress as much as possible, to laugh a lot and to live in the present moment, which is all we really have anyway. We shouldn’t think about the past too much nor fear the future, but wake up every day and be thankful for everything. Ultimately, to enjoy everything that life gives us.
During treatment, I suggest to not fall into depression, but rather to think that it’s something that will pass and that once chemotherapy ends, it’s as if you are born again. Seeing my hair grow back, feeling my strength return and feeling as active as I was before, made me feel like I was blossoming.
Always seek professionals who are close and empathetic, just like you.
October 26, 2016
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