Risk

UNITED KINGDOM – A leading scientist in the UK has made what might seem to be a pretty bold statement: "Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should have their ovaries taken out when they are 40." This may seem like something most people would have never considered – BUT – if your genetic code shows you carry a risk, this kind of surgery could cut that risk by as much as half!  Amazing.

Of course, the surgical risks and side effects could make anyone tremble. But then again, being told you have cancer could make you pretty jumpy as well. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it’s a serious surgery. (Of course, talk to your doc about it.) It was mandatory for me to have this surgery when I was 38 years old, and have never regretted it for a moment – but I want you to weigh in. 

Is it worth it? Would you consider such an action if you were BRACA1 or 2? And are you just as ready as I am to find a cure?  :)

Photo: Science Photo Library

Knowledge

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA - You don’t know everything. Just keep that in mind about … well, about almost everything! No matter how experienced you think you are, no matter how well-versed or studious, someone can always teach you something valuable.

I went into my mastectomy two weeks ago with about as much information as the average layperson could acquire; after all, the world now has Wikipedia so knowledge is just a click away! (Just kidding, go to your doctor with medical questions. Period.) I’ve been speaking about breast cancer for five years now, having gone through allllllmost every part I thought I knew just about everything a person could go through. Chemo, check. Radiation, check. Multiple surgeries, check.

Then I was introduced to something they call "drainage tubes." I’ll not say anything more about it, suffice it to say "ouch." All of those years I had been asked about my mastectomy (which was a partial, no tubes, five years ago) and I never had a response when asked about things like tubes. And reconstruction? Never had it, just walked around like Frankenstein’s monster and didn’t give it another thought. Well, now I’ve had both. I didn’t do it for kicks, there was yet another suspicious mass found and since it was the third in a year, it was decided that a complete mastectomy was a viable option. That way, all tissue can be checked and help answer these nagging questions. (I’m happy to report that all was found to be clean and clear, yay!) But, for years I have spoken to women who have talked to me about theirs, and their reconstruction following and I could only give a sympathetic hug and utter "I’m so sorry!"

But, now I know, girls. I get it. I’m so sorry I didn’t know until now what you’ve been through! I now have a full list of things to suggest when getting gifts for a friend going into this surgery. I now can offer tips and ideas about how to make yourself feel better afterwards. Everything has a silver lining; I think for me without question, the fact that I can help more people with firsthand knowledge is it. If you find yourself or someone you love about to step into that world, here are few links to help you with questions. But again, please talk to your doctor for specifics about your particular case.

Resources:
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
American Cancer Society
breastcancer.org
American Society of Clinical Oncology
caring.com

Missouri!

MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – “No time limit shall be imposed on an individual for the receipt of a prosthetic or reconstructive surgery and it provides that if an individual changes his or her insurance, then coverage for such procedures must transfer to the new policy.”

The above is an excerpt from the SCS/SB Act from the great state of Missouri. While this may not seem like a big deal to anyone who hasn’t had to consider such a thing, to those of us currently in treatment for this very disease – it’s a whopper. The decision is huge for a patient, whether to reconstruct for appearance, self esteem or simply balance (literally!) or to postpone to see if a second diagnosis might be forthcoming.

Many women (and men) vacillate about this surgery, and in some places it could mean the difference between insurance covering that procedure or not. Research your policy very carefully so that you are aware of your potential time frame. (Here are some tips.) If you have an HR department that is compassionate about these topics, visit them to get their advice. They work with insurance companies frequently, so they might have more insight.

In the end, however, I salute Missouri. You have given the world Mark Twain and now this super-fantastic bill. Thanks!