Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004
and it was discovered through a mammogram
I had started early mammograms because my mother had breast cancer
I was referred to the Sutter Cancer Center
through a friend of mine that had
breast cancer
She referred me to Sutter Cancer center because she received really good care and so she
suggested her surgeon
and her oncologist to me
The Sutter Cancer Center Breast Team
is made up of individuals representing different specialties
within the cancer center so we have and a medical oncologist, surgeons,
apologist, radiologists, radiation oncologists, as well as other support
staff including nutrition and genetics. I met Mary Pare, the breast cancer
navigator, on the day of my lumpectomy
and on that day I was just confused and overwhelmed with information and she came in and really
helped
my mom and myself calm down and focus on what needed to be done.
The role of the breast cancer navigator is basically to be there with the
patient as they go through this
treatment/journey so I can help them see what's happening and provide them
with information and resources resources and support as they go through each part of their journey.
When breast cancer patients are receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer and thats
men and women who can be
diagnosed with breast cancer, their first concern is just accepting
the disease. It can be very shocking because most women don't have any symptoms
They've had a mammogram and then suddenly biopsy at someone tells them
you have cancer. Those treatment decision processes is a lot of work for women
They need information and that's an area where I can be very helpful
Sutter Cancer Center has the latest technology with regard to treatment of
breast cancer
we offer all the available chemo therapies and all the antiestrogen
therapies that are available.
Treatment depends upon the type of breast cancer because they're different types of
breast cancer
and it depends on the extent of cancer Whether or not it involves lymph nodes
and such so based on those factors we and come to an agreement or a decision about
how beneficial chemotherapy would be and whether or not there's a role for
antiestrogen pills
if the cancer is hormone sensitive. One of the new and innovative treatments
for breast cancer is the intrememe device which
is a new way of doing radiation at the time of a surgery.
Traditional radiation is six weeks in length everyday. This replaces that
with just one dose of radiation at the time of surgery so it's as
effective for women who are eligible for as traditional radiation
We have a new women's imaging center downtown that is opened recently and
offers digital mamography as well as advanced MRI and breast imaging
The Sacramento region has several community-based services through our infusion
centers in various different parts of sacramento as well as imaging
centers in different parts to make a treatment convenient also we are the
only program in the area to be nationally accredited we have the
national accreditation
program for breast center accreditation. When they meet with us,
the team, then they are offered treatment options. So what type of the surgery is right
for them: lumpectomy or mastectomy, reconstruction
There're options now in terms of different types of radiation therapy
and then a person needs chemotherapy: what treatment is appropriate for them
Different patients, everyone faces this diagnosis.
They're unique and their challenges are unique
so how to help them cope with the diagnosis and their everyday
responsibilities.
yesterday I met a woman and it was her first year anniversary from having been
diagnosed
said how you doing? How's it been? This year's been so rough and she says no no no
today is my victory day. Look at me. My hair is short and it's curly, but I have my hair.
I made it through chemo. I made it through surgery look at me now this is my victory day. My life
is better now then it was before a year ago I've been in remission for five
years
and now that I have my health back I tried to
do things that I took for granted before
and in many ways life can be short and you don't really know what's gonna happen
I always tell my oncologist, whenever I see him, he says "How are you, friend"
I say, "Oh, life is good"
and that's how it is now today
Life is really good.