DIANE
DIAGNOSIS: Age 49 | Stage 1
GENETICS: Remote family history of breast cancer
BRCA: Tested negative for mutation
DIAGNOSED BY: Mammogram and stereotactic biopsy
TREATMENT: Bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies with prepectoral direct to implant reconstructions
CANCER-FREE: 2+ years
Diane was diagnosed with stage one left breast cancer at the age of 49. She had a prior history of lumpectomy for left breast atypical ductal hyperplasia.
She has remote family history of breast cancer.
Presented as calcifications on a screening mammogram, and diagnosed by a stereotactic biopsy (see Chapter 2).
Breast calcifications are calcium deposits that develop in breast tissue. They're common and often show up on a routine mammogram. While they're usually benign, breast calcifications can be a sign that you're at risk for developing breast cancer
Oncotype testing and chemotherapy were not necessary due to the small size of the cancer (1.5mm) (see Chapter 3).
Diane elected to have bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomies with prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstructions (see chapter 9 to read more about reconstruction options).
She is relieved that she no longer needs routine mammograms or MRIs which was the driving factor for her to have the mastectomies. She is now taking Tamoxifen.
Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It can greatly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and invasive cancer.
Diane is now over 2 years cancer-free.
She and her daughter have become very involved in raising money for patients with metastatic breast cancer with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Side Out Foundation (side-out.org).
Read ‘No Longer Radical’ for more stories about women of all ages diagnosed with breast cancer and their treatments.