Jan's Story: "Early Detection Is So Important"

In this Q&A, collected through our story portal, Jan reflects on navigating the unexpected news of an early breast cancer diagnosis, followed by prompt treatment and late side effects.

What is your experience with cancer?

On Monday morning, Oct. 9, 2023, I went for my routine mammogram with my regular provider. On Wednesday I got a call for a follow-up, which isn't unusual, but I wished for the days when the radiologist took a quick look and ordered more images when I was there the first time.

The scheduler offered up a couple of appointments that day, which didn't set off alarm bells because she's probably looking at cancelations and tossing out first available. 

It wasn't until I arrived later and the tech said, ‘OK, we have you for a follow-up mammogram on the left along with an ultrasound and biopsy.’ 

Wait! What? Nobody said anything about biopsy. What's going on?

After the mammogram, while I was waiting for the ultrasound, the scheduler came in and asked if I wanted to schedule my MRI [magnetic resonance imaging exam] in case the biopsy results came back as a lump. The surgeon would need that anyway and, this way, I could get on the schedule early next week. Otherwise we wouldn't be scheduling until after the results came back. OK, sure, why not.

After the ultrasound, we went right to the biopsy. And the only thing I have to say is a warning that it hurts would be awesome. Of course, I wasn't expecting it when I arrived, so I had no idea what was going to happen, but it hurts, and they don't tell you that.

On Friday I got a call around lunch time that my results were positive for Stage 1a estrogen/progesterone positive breast cancer. My results were sent to my OB [obstetrician] and, bless her, she called me right away and took absolute charge of the situation. She broke down what would happen, who I would be seeing, gave me the list of the best of the best for my team, and told me to call the surgeon right away to get an appointment. She also told me if anyone she listed wouldn't see me, call her and she would get them on my team.

I had lumpectomy surgery on Nov. 9 and followed up with radiation in December 2023. I am cancer free and regularly see my medical oncologist and surgery team for follow-up. I did develop radiation fibrosis just recently, so do know it can show up much later than you would think, but we are working on massage and keeping an eye on it.

Early detection is so important. My lump was not something I would have felt in a regular self-exam, so get your mammograms!

Editor’s Note: Radiation-induced fibrosis is a group of side effects that can happen when radiation therapy damages healthy tissue that’s been exposed to the radiation beam. This can cause a thickening and scarring of connective tissue. This MD Anderson Cancer Center resource explains radiation fibrosis and its possible physical effects.

Is there anything you wish you had known before your experience began?

More about after care and radiation fibrosis. You get a lot of information (and a healthy dose of fear) about lymphedema, but I got nothing on radiation fibrosis.

What was your biggest stressor, and how did you manage it?

Time. I was diagnosed late in the year and because we know insurance, it was best to finish all the protocols before the end of the year since I had already hit my deductibles.

Have there been positive changes in your life after your cancer diagnosis?

[I’m] more aware of my body and its idiosyncrasies now.