The Facts

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American women?

The incidence of breast cancer is 10 percent lower in African American women than in white women; however among young African American women (under 40) the incidence is higher.



Friday, January 7, 2011

What's happens next?

After the surgery and a few weeks of recovery, life seems normal.  I mean, I don't feel sick and the pain is off and on.  The biggest issue that still lingers is my mind!  In spite of the unwavering support of my friends and family, the down time still bothers me.  Denial is my closest friend..  I put all the paperwork related to my cancer in a safe, so that it was not in my space.  I figured out of sight, out of mind!  However, I had to call the breast center ,looked at the pathology report and started to cry.  I know your thinking tears?? Yes, it has been a minute.  Great news it only lasted for a minute as I reminded myself of the Grace of God.... I am one of ladies in the pink sisterhood who will shout from the highest mountain "EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES". It saved mine!!!

So the next step along with some information:

1. Radiation- if needed.
Radiation therapy involves using a large machine called a linear accelerator to deliver precise amounts of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. The radiation stops the reproduction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Radiation therapy has been shown to improve survival in women with breast cancer
2. Medical oncologist- take Tamoxifen for 5 years.
Tamoxifen is a type of drug called a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM). At the breast, it functions as an anti-estrogen. Estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells and tamoxifen blocks estrogen from attaching to estrogen receptors on these cells. By doing this, it is believed that the growth of the breast cancer cells will be halted.
Tamoxifen is considered an option in the following cases:
  1. Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) along with breast-sparing surgery or mastectomy.
  2. Adjuvant treatment of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) to reduce the risk of developing more advanced breast cancer.
  3. Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in men and women whose cancers are estrogen-receptor positive.
  4. Treatment of recurrent and metastatic breast cancer.
  5. To prevent breast cancer in women at high risk for developing the disease

Please get your mammogram and live.

Love Y'all
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