Informal poll: Breast Cancer
The ClubHouse: General Discussions - Jan -Apr. 2001: February:
Informal poll: Breast Cancer
Max | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 06:45 pm  I just returned from spending a week with my sister as she underwent a mastectomy. She's doing great, thank the Lord. She still faces chemotherapy, but her prognosis is very good. Her doctor says 10% of women will contract breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, she's become aware of many women in her circle of friends and acquaintances who have been diagnosed with breast cancer--much higher than 10% (she's 51 and her circle is in the 48-60 age range). Of course, men can get breast cancer, too, which is a statistic you hear very little about. So, I thought I'd hold a little informal poll: How many people do you know who have dealt with breast cancer? Does the 10% figure ring true to you, or does that seem too low or too high in your experience?
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Soeur | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 06:48 pm  I have been close to two women who have had breast cancer. |
Nancy091158 | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 06:51 pm  i know two woman too...(plus cancer is in my family tho not breast cancer.. so i get tested every year due to fibroadenoms..it drives me crazy till the tests come back that its not cancer..this year i had the added scare of cysts in my ovary...no wonder i dread my physicals ...but i digres... |
Maire | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 07:37 pm  3 years ago, my Aunt on my Dad's side had her right breast removed due to breast cancer. A year ago, my mother had a lumpectomy and some lyphnodes removed as well. She underwent 2 months of radiation therapy and is now doing quite well. Last December, I had my first mamogram. The radiologist called me back the next day as they found an area that needed re-checking. It took 3 different radiologists to determine that they couldn't come to any definite conclusions, and advised me to have another mamogram in 6 months. So, until the month of June comes around, I keep a special eye on that area. |
Digilady | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 08:18 pm  A close friend is now weeks from leaving us. Ues it started with breast cancer, but now is in the brain. IMHO, 10 percent may be on the low side. I've known many, many other women who have dealt with it as well. |
Leap | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 08:26 pm  My gma died of post-menopausal breast cancer. My mom is one of 7 (5 girls). She is the oldest at 58. Fortunately, none of her sisters have had any breast cancer issues. However, a very good family friend died one year ago (to the day this Friday) of breast cancer. She died only a few months after it was discovered. She was four years older than me when she died (at 36). (She even babysat me a few times when we were kids). I loved her because she was a wonderful person and she was a super, spectacular mom with four kids under 7. |
Digilady | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 09:04 pm  OH Leap, so sorry. It's so hard when that happens... one year this Friday, huh. Make sure you're in chat, we'll be there! |
Misslibra | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:08 pm  My Aunt on my Mother's side has cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. She is still with us thank God, but has to continue to take radiation. On my Father's side I have another Aunt that had to have one breast remove, due to breast cancer. A cousin of my Mother's also had a double mastectomy. Also a very dear friend of mine just pass away 2 months from breast cancer. She had one breast removed, but the cancer had moved into her lymph nodes. I call and asked her young daughter if I could talk to her, but not to wake her up if she was asleep. Little did I know she had just passed away at home in her sleep. Max, I to think the percentage is low. It seems to me they have made much more progress with prostate cancer then they have with breast cancer. |
Digilady | Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 10:17 pm  MissL, get yourself checked and regularly, as well. Being as so many in your family have had it, you yourself are in no small danger. Be careful!! Wish all the men here would have prostate exams as well... I've certainly lost a few friends to that, as well. |
Misslibra | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 12:58 am  Yes I get my yearly breast exams, and check my breast myself, but I would be lying to you if I tell you it isn't a serious concern of mine. I was watching this program on TV can't remember if it was 48 hours or what, but it was one of those shows, and they were interviewing women who are at very high risk for breast cancer. where their mother's and sister's had it, and died from it. These Women were so afraid they decided to have their breast remove even though they didn't have breast cancer, thats just how scared they were. That is so extreme, but you never know what you might do if you were in there shoes. |
Nancy091158 | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 07:51 am  I don't generally do this...but i have a friend walking in the Avon 3-day walk for breast cancer...if you care to donate...there are several walks in several major cities..(she is walking in boston)....you can donate in general or email me at summerwind30@aol.com and i will give you her specific name and walker-number... http://www.breastcancer3day.org/ |
Moondance | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 08:01 am  Nancy ... thanks for posting the link!... I plan to walk in October here. My Mother is a breast cancer survivor... a double mastectomy. Also if everyone could visit this site daily TheBreastCancerSite it helps pay for breast exams for women that cannot afford them |
Nancy091158 | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 08:13 am  I wish i could walk...but ever since i broke my leg...i get terrible shinsplints..(and weak muscles) ...but i will be walking in heart and spirit anyway ;-) |
Norwican | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 09:17 am  I have totally lucked out on the breast cancer front. I do not personally know anyone that has had it. <knocking on wood as I type this> |
Leap | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 09:50 am  MissL, after you wrote your message it occurred to me that I know a woman, 30 years old, who is considering a double mastectomy as soon as her second child is born (which will be soon). Cancer is all over her family and her mom has survived both breast cancer and brain cancer. You are right, you don't know what decision you would make until you were faced with it. |
Willi | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 02:43 pm  Max, My prayers are with you & your sister & your family. 10% sounds like a low percentage to me. I lost a dear friend to breast cancer. She left behind a husband and two beautiful daughters. |
Spamgirl | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 05:04 pm  Ditto for me, Nor... no one with breast cancer (throat cancer yes...) |
Max | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 07:16 pm  Thanks, folks. I think the 10% number is low, too. I also think my sister's doctor is pretty ill-informed about the whole issue. My sister, unfortunately, didn't question anything her doctor told her. For example, he told her that she only needed a mammogram every 2 years despite the fact that she had recurrying cysts in her breasts, is adopted and has no knowledge of her genetic history, and was taking estrogen for menopausal symptoms. If that would have been me, I'd have questioned it, but she didn't. Doesn't mean the outcome would have been any different, but her doctor clearly demonstrated a lack of knowledge. He never even told her to stop taking the estrogen after the biopsy showed positive for cancer. It never occurred to her that she could question him or even switch doctors if she wanted to. The best thing to come out of this, though, is that she's starting to get in touch with her spirituality. She has several friends who have stressed that she is in their prayers. I've told her my church as well as the church my boss attends are praying for her. Then, in the hospital, there was a wonderful nurse who took her under her wing. The nurse's daughter has been through this and she shared all kinds of wonderful information with my sister. She even provided her home phone number and urged my sister to keep in touch. She said she felt guided by God to be there and help my sister through this. My sister isn't too inclined towards organized religion. She thinks it's all like what you see on TV. I've started a dialog with her about the importance of connecting with the spiritual portion of her being. I don't care whether she does that through meditation, a Christian church, Buddah, or whatever else resonates with her. To me, there are many paths to the same destination. I just think it's incredibly important to find the one that works for her. Otherwise, she's denying a huge part of her being. Anyway, I've rambled enough. Maybe this should have been in the Chapel!
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Moondance | Wednesday, February 21, 2001 - 08:20 pm  Wonderful post Max... my prayers and thoughts are with her ... nice to see how you have pulled out the good in a tough situation. One of the things you hit on is the misinformed Doctor... After my own bout with Cancer last year, it is painfully obvious how much more as individuals to become more informed and responsible for our health ... ask a lot of questions, research on your own and always get another Doctors opinion if not a couple |
Norwican | Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 07:40 am  Best wishes for your sister Max... sounds like she's on the right path  |
Twiggyish | Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 07:06 pm  I made an appt for March 6th, this is something I have been putting off for ages. |
Max | Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 09:07 pm  Twiggy, I'm so glad you made the appointment! It's really not all that uncomfortable and it's SO important! |
Misslibra | Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 09:10 pm  Good for you Twiggy ! Max, I hope everything works out with your Sister. |
Twiggyish | Friday, February 23, 2001 - 06:05 am  Thank you all. I had a mam once before and it hurt like h*ll. So always put off going again. This appt is for the Dr., he has to prescribe it first (I guess for insurance) |
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