Earlier this year (2014) my life was changed. I woke up feeling sore & instantly felt a mass. I made an appt that day. At the appt she told me because it was sore and the way it felt, there was nothing to worry, it would disappear, go away. But given I was 35 (a few months awat from 36)she said "lets check just in case". 3 days later the mass did disappear. But kept my mammo appt I wanted to hear "all clear nothing was found". The day of the mammo, I was told there was no mass however they found suspicious calcification & a biopsy was needed. 3 days after the biopsy I got the "call" we found DCIS ( ductal carsinoma insitu) My doctors recommended a lumpectomy with radiation or a mastectomy.
I did not have a family history at this time but tested positive for BRCA 2 (hereditary breast cancer gene) I now have an 87% chance of having invasive breast in my lifetime. I scheduled my surgery (bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy) .
After surgery:the pathology report stated I was actually Stage 1. Not only did they find DCIS, IDS (invasive ductal carcinoma) and invasive cancer was found. On the left side they found LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) and ADH (atypical ductal hyperplasia). "WOW" I made the right surgery decision. Had I not found it, had I not moved forward with the mammo and the surgery I could have been fighting for my life within a few years time.
Because I found it early. Because the invasive cancer was so small I did not need chemo or radiation. I needed tamoxifen, I felt blessed that was all I needed. I still have a battle ahead because i am at high risk but I am blessed to have found it early. I get to see my children grow which is most important in my life. I am only 5 weeks post op, I can't call myself a surviver but I will be.
Early detection is key. Please be aware of your body. Don't put off what you should do today.
brooklyn, NY