Support Groups
To find support groups in your community, go to:
www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345
Here you will find trained cancer specialists staffed
with love 24/7!
Gynecological Recommendations
When I was diagnosed BRCA positive, it was also recommended to make gynecological choices. My genetic counselor along with my doctors recommended a procedure called Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy. You try saying that three times fast! It is the surgical removal of your fallopian tubes and ovaries using an instrument called a laparoscope. The laparoscope has a tiny lens and light and enables the surgeon to do what he has to do with minimal scarring and a small incision. Minimal incision equals minimal pain! PLEASE DISCUSS ALL SIDE AFFECTS WITH YOUR DOCTOR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NOT YET HAD ALL YOUR CHILDREN!
Also…very important…because you now have lost your hormones with the loss of your ovaries, it is important to keep up your bone and heart strength. It is important to exercise, eat a low fat diet, and discuss calcium with your doctor.
For those of us who have already had our children, let’s discuss MENOPAUSE! MEET ME IN THE FORUM FOR THAT ONE!
Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction:
There are two popular types of reconstruction – Implants and Tram Flap. We can discuss other options in the forums, but as a recap, I am only discussing the more popular procedures. With implant reconstruction there are three different stages of surgery. Stage one happens initially upon mastectomy. A tissue expander is put in to stretch the skin. The second stage of surgery is the implant exchange, and the third stage of surgery is nipple & areola reconstruction. The tram flap procedure involves you getting your breast reconstruction from your belly fat. You get new boobs and a tummy tuck too! Other doctors may use different techniques during reconstructive surgery. Always check with your physician! You should also discuss pros and cons of one reconstruction over another. Tram flap is one big surgery and then another procedure for nipple and areola reconstruction, implants are three surgeries. Tram flap has a longer recovery time than implants- do you want that? You could discuss possible complications of the surgery. You could discuss lifespan of one procedure over another, recovery time of one procedure over another, pain involved. Which procedure will give YOU a nicer figure afterwards? Where will your scars be? Do you want grafted nipples, or tattooed ones? If you choose grafted- where is the donor site? Saline or silicone implants? This is YOUR choice! Enjoy yourself—this is your new bod!
Genetic Evaluation BRCA Testing
It was recommended to me after finding out that yet another maternal relative had breast cancer, to go and get a genetic evaluation. Now there is a BRCA1 and BRCA2 test to see if you have a hereditary form of breast cancer or a mutated gene making you more susceptible to getting breast or ovarian cancer.
My doctor recommended that I see a genetic counselor. Not only do they draw the blood tests to get the BRCA analysis, they also counsel you on your individual risk, and treatment options if the test comes back positive. They have the most up to date information, in this ever changing field! They personalize your lifetime risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer, other cancers, counsel you on your choices, and choices you will recommend to your children. They take into affect the age that your relative developed cancer, family history of disease and your health and life style.
Myriad Labs is the lab that analyzed my test results. They have a website that might be helpful to you to get more information. Their web address is: http://www.myriad.com.
Just know, that they are a for profit company. Just go to their website and click on the BRCA Analysis, and gather your information so that YOU can make the best choices for YOURSELF.
Mastectomy
July 1, 2008
There are different mastectomy procedures, but the one that is most recommended these days is the skin sparing mastectomy. This procedure involves removing all of the breast tissue, including the nipple and areola, but not the breast skin. Having a mastectomy, rather than being vigilant with testing gives you more of a guarantee that your nodes will not be affected in the future.
Women choosing reconstruction immediately after the mastectomy do well with this choice.
Understanding your pathology
July 1, 2008
As per Dr. Patricia Wasserman
Chief, Division of Cytopathology (LIJMC)
Director, Cytopathology Fellowship Program (LIJMC)
Assistant Professor of Pathology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Cytopathology Committee Member, College of American Pathologists
Below you’ll find a website from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) where patients can go to learn more about their diseases. It also provides important links to reputable sources.