Understanding Breast Cancer Through My Journey: A Survivor's Perspective on People-Centered Care

As World Cancer Day 2025 approaches, I'm sharing my experience with breast cancer - a journey that included four surgeries and transformed my understanding of patient care. For those newly diagnosed with breast cancer, facing a DCIS  (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) diagnosis, or supporting a loved one through treatment, this story offers both personal insight and critical information about modern cancer care.

Understanding Cancer: More Than Just a Diagnosis

Cancer develops when normal cells undergo changes that lead to uncontrolled growth, forming tumors that can spread to surrounding tissue. While my experience focuses on breast cancer and DCIS, it's crucial to understand that early detection and treatment are vital for all cancer types.

My Breast Cancer Journey: Four Surgeries, Four Lessons

My story began with what doctors initially misdiagnosed as a "necrotic mass" in my right breast. For others facing breast cancer symptoms, mammogram abnormalities, or suspicious breast lumps, trust your instincts - they can be as important as medical tests.

The second surgery brought that unforgettable moment in the examination room - medical professionals reviewing my file with the slim file in their hand, their body language revealing what their words didn't. For breast cancer patients, these moments of uncertainty are common, but they shouldn't define your care experience.

During my third surgery, terms like "clean margins" and "residual tissue" became part of my vocabulary. While the medical team showed more compassion, I still faced the challenge of balancing treatment with teaching, family life, and supporting a spouse who felt helpless - a common struggle for breast cancer survivors.

The fourth diagnosis - DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) - appeared during a routine mammogram. This early-stage breast cancer diagnosis reminded me that vigilance and regular screening are essential, even after previous successful treatments.

A Generic Breast Cancer Protocol; In case you didn’t know

Here is an “average” protocol for nonmetastatic breast cancer.  I use the term “average” lightly since no one is average.  Finding an average is calculating the middle between a group of data points.  So there may be many or no one with that exact “average” prognosis calling for this protocol because of varying factors.  Some of the items listed below are what can be called upon for treatment in a variety of combinations, some added and some not used.

I can share this “average” treatment framework for non-metastatic breast cancer based on my knowledge to help those on the verge of treatment or you have a family member battling right now or you just found out someone has been through it.  I share this to just give some perspective so anyone around you going dealing with this diagnosis, you have a small iota of understanding. 

Standard Treatment Sequence:

1. Surgery (Initial treatment in most cases)

Lumpectomy, breast-conserving surgery, Mastectomy, removal of the entire breast, or Lymph node biopsy. The recovery time is typically 4-6 weeks out from the procedure until all swelling and discoloration is gone.

2. Chemotherapy (if recommended)

Can be given before surgery or after in varying degrees of frequency and duration.  Chemo before surgery is usually a 3-6 months timeframe to see if there is a reduction or maintaining of tumor size. Chemotherapy after surgery also has its varying length of time, but the frequency is typically every 2-3 weeks, to catch the systemic delivery of the medicine when the cancer cells are dividing uncontrollably.  Don’t forget, because of it being administered throughout the entire body intravenously, it impacts every  system, every tissue and every cell of your body. The reason for hair loss, skin condition changing and your digestive system taking a severe hit. These are the systems that regenerate/repair quickly, so they are greatly impacted by the chemotherapy cocktail.

3. Radiation Therapy (if recommended)

This can start 3-4 weeks after surgery, during chemotherapy or after your 6 months of chemo.  Here is the kicker, it's every weekday for 2-6 weeks. This can cause hot spots, blistering and burning of the surface skin. Again, because cancer is a group of cells growing and replicating uncontrollably, the goal of radiation is to blast them during that time of division from 1 cell to 2 cells.

4. Hormonal Therapy (if hormone receptor-positive)

This is me! HER +. Because of the timing that this happened in my life, I was pre and peri-menopausal during my treatments and was prescribed Tamoxifen for an extended 7 years.  Most pre-menopausal women have to take this daily pill for 5 years.  I had multiple occurrences, which justified the additional 2 years.  I was lucky, no side effects of taking it daily. 

When looking at this timeline above, we see this is encompassing every aspect of a person's life for around 9 months, without figuring any delays because white blood cells count hadn’t rebounded yet, catching a cold or having a fever. It’s a terrible way to lose 20-30% of your body mass, in all of the places you don’t want to lose it. Don’t assume you will be able to carry out your typical or usual daily routines.  You physically won’t be able to nor will you want to.  Then the mental toll; it's the exhaustion and  depression that isn’t seen like a wound but it affects the entire household from you to your caregiver, to the kids and even the pets are aware.  Now, dare we layer on insurance issues and preauthorization, negative change in finances, FMLA criteria and filing.  I just want you to know better, so you can do better when you are ever in a situation like this with your partner, friend, sister or mother.

The Critical Need for Better Patient Support

After each surgery, I encountered what myself and many breast cancer patients face - the "Frankenstein moment" of post-operative recovery. The outdated support garments provided highlighted a significant gap in post-surgery breast cancer care - the need for products and services that support both physical and emotional healing.

Understanding the Global Impact of Cancer

Recent statistics from the World Health Organization paint a sobering picture:

• Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide

• Approximately 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime

• By 2050, experts predict over 35 million new cancer cases annually

• An estimated 3.7 million lives could be saved each year through better prevention and early detection

For breast cancer specifically, it remains one of the most common cancers, accounting for a significant portion of global cancer cases and deaths. However, with proper screening, early detection, and timely treatment, survival rates continue to improve.

Transforming Cancer Care Through a People-Centered Approach

Modern cancer treatment must evolve beyond just medical procedures. Key elements of effective care include:

• Comprehensive breast cancer screening programs

• Support for mastectomy and lumpectomy recovery

• Integration of physical and emotional healing

• Family and community involvement in the recovery process

• Access to survivorship resources and support groups

The Economic and Personal Impact

While the global economic cost of cancer exceeds $1.16 trillion annually, the personal impact on families and individuals is immeasurable. This includes:

• Lost productivity and household income

• Reduced quality of life

• Physical and emotional challenges

• Need for long-term support systems

Moving Forward: My Mission for Change

My experience inspired me to create a company focused on developing better support garments for breast cancer and any chest trauma patients. Every person deserves to be supported through every kind of post chest trauma recuperation, throughout their journey with dignity, comfort and emotional support. 

A Call to Action

As World Cancer Day 2025 approaches on February 4th, let's advocate for:

• Better early detection programs

• More comprehensive patient support systems

• Improved post-surgery care products

• Enhanced support for cancer survivors and caregivers

This post is dedicated to breast cancer survivors and warriors still battling, their families, and the healthcare professionals working to improve cancer care. For more information about breast cancer screening, treatment options, or support resources, consult your healthcare provider or visit trusted cancer organization websites.