Women's Information Network
Against Breast Cancer

Welcome to the WIN Against Breast Cancer message board. WIN ABC is pleased to provide an opportunity for you to have some of your concerns addressed. Please be aware that your questions will be directed to other visitors to this site. Medical information posted may not have been submitted by a healthcare professional specializing in breast health and breast cancer care.

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Re: Medical concerns

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Posted by Betsy Mullen on 4/1/2000 from 205.188.195.27:
In reply to: Medical concerns posted by Kay on 3/27/2000 from 209.136.110.2:
Dear Kay:

You are dealing with so much, and I admire your candidness. Have you discussed this breast lump with your physician(s)? Perhaps a breast ultrasound is an option for you. There are also studies underway that perform definitive breast surgery with the use of a laser. This is getting ahead of us, but may be something worth discussing with your health care team if the need arises. Also, biofeedback, positive affirmations and self-hypnosis can be very worthwhile and beneficial in dealing with some of your issues.

WIN Against Breast Cancer has a peer support program called the Breast Buddy Breast Care Program. Typically, the program pairs specially trained survivors with newly diagnosed patients and we certainly need to expand the program to include individuals such as yourself who have found a lump and have questions and concerns in dealing with such a difficult and trying situation. I have one of our Buddies in mind who had Hodgkin’s disease as a teenager and was treated with a great deal of radiation. She later developed breast cancer which was treated successfully with a mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction and adjuvant therapy. She later was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and blazed through treatment. She is a real inspiration and may be able to help you work through your very valid feelings, concerns and issues if she is available.

Here are some specific information/questions you may want to think about and discuss with your doctor(s):

1. Do you have a family of breast cancer?

2. Do you have any additional known risk factors?; Do you know what some of the other breast cancer risk factors are?

3. Do you know how to do a proper breast exam? You can receive this information and register for monthly breast self-exam reminders right on our web site (www.winabc.org)

4. Have you ever had a mammogram(s)? If so, did you receive a copy of the radiologist’s report/findings from your latest and previous mammograms?

5. Have you ever had a breast biopsy prior to finding this lump?

These are all things to think about and discuss with your health care team. We would be happy to send you educational materials, free of charge regarding breast self-exam, breast health, understanding breast changes, questions to ask your health plan about exemplary care (found on our web site under help yourself – 10 key questions for women to ask their health plans), breast cancer myths and much, much more depending upon your needs.

It is very difficult to render an opinion without knowing all the facts of any one particular case. But one strong recommendation we would like to make is that you pursue your question(s) with your own physicians. You should feel fully empowered to obtain a satisfactory answer and feel free to seek a second or third opinion. There is a special form on our web site that you can fill out and e-mail to us to help us best meet your needs and you are also welcome to call us at (626) 332-2255. Please let us know how you are doing and if you would like to speak to the Breast Buddy I referenced above. Are you scheduled for a doctor’s visit to examine the lump? If so, when? Please rest assured that your information will be kept confidential.

I will close with this thought and a saying of mine: "When in doubt, check it out." Everybody is different and every body is different. You know your body well and are your own best advocate. Pursue any concerns with your health care team and remain vigilant. I am a strong advocate of second opinions and exploring all options – traditional and complementary.

I wish you good health and look forward to hearing back from you.

My warmest regards,

Betsy Mullen
President/CEO
WIN Against Breast Cancer