Robin: Breast Cancer Survivor Since 2009

Because Robin’s family has a history of breast cancer, three maternal aunts had breast cancer, she had scheduled regular yearly mammograms.   She had her annual mammogram on a Monday in March 2009 and received a negative report by Thursday.  Robin had noticed a change in the shape of her left breast after showering on Friday and immediately called her doctor’s office to schedule an appointment the following Monday with her Nurse Practitioner.  The Nurse Practitioner sent her back to the radiologist’s for another mammogram and a breast ultrasound.  The cancer showed up on the ultrasound.  She was then referred to a breast surgeon for a needle biopsy which came back positive.  The diagnoses was left breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma, stage 2-3.

Robin encourages women to not be like an ostrich and bury their heads in the sand as the majority of early breast cancers are removed and women go on to be long living cancer survivors.  To those women who are newly diagnosed she says, “It is very scary!  I was sure I would die and not see my grandchildren graduate from college or get married.  But after a long consultation with my breast surgeon, the radiation specialist, and my family doctor, I felt strongly that I would be a survivor. “

She encourages women to examine their breast every month, before and after their menses. “Check them in the mirror after your shower, have your breast examined by your gynecologist and, your family doctor so that you have two professional exams a year, especially if you have had breast augmentation.  Even if you are a woman in your 20s, remember breast cancer knows no age boundaries.  If your mother and/or sister had breast cancer, discuss prophylactic mastectomies with professionals.  Perhaps it’s trite, but a stitch in time saves nine!  Also, consult a plastic surgeon regarding reconstruction.  If your breast surgeon knows ahead of time that that is the direction you are heading for, he/she will leave more tissue for the plastic surgeon to work with on the reconstruction.  You are the captain of your ship (your body) and it is up to you to always remember how precious life is.  You are loved and love others and you and they want you around for a very long time.”