Tale of Two Breasts - Overview

By Darren Kenzo Ang


In September of 2004 my physician identified a lump. Soon after many ultrasounds and mammograms, the concerns outweighed my age sufficient to necessitate a biopsy. At 26 years old, I wasn't a most likely candidate for a mammogram, let alone an open surgical biopsy.

The lump turned out to be quite a few, but to my relief they had been mostly uncomplicated fluid-filled cysts. Nevertheless, it was due to those cysts that one thing of higher interest was found. The radiologist had noticed numerous micro-calcifications that showed up as tiny white specks throughout my screenings.

In February, 2005, a fine wire localization biopsy was performed and also a section was removed concerning the size of a stack of 6 toonies (a toonie is actually a Canadian two dollar coin). It was reviewed by the pathologist in Nanaimo as well as a diagnosis was unclear, so the slides had been sent to a specialist in the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver for consultation. Based on his evaluation, it was "a difficult case". A month following the process, though I hadn't really observed the report, I was told that it was "not cancer", but we ought to continue screening every single 6 months to ensure absolutely nothing changed.

My encounter with all the BC Cancer Agency; Vancouver Island Centre did not transpire until 1 year later, as soon as I was living in Victoria. I was in for a routine check up, and my new physician requested my medical file from the prior clinic in Nanaimo. I had given him my version of the past two years' events, so he was a bit surprised to read my pathology report from the year ahead of stating that I had been diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS), amongst other factors. He produced a call on my behalf, and inside hours I was contacted by a person in the Cancer Agency here in Victoria.

I met having a specialist there several days later and we went more than my surgical pathology report to attempt to decipher precisely what it meant. He spent three hours with me going more than the diagnosis, translating as well as generating diagrams to assist me fully grasp. He was extremely thorough and helped put my mind at ease using the diagnosis.

Based on who you ask, or what reports you read, LCIS isn't regarded as cancer, as its name suggests. It has been explained to me that "in situ" indicates that abnormal cancer cells are present, but have not spread past the boundaries of tissues exactly where they initially developed. LCIS is regarded as a red flag to enable each physician and patient to maintain an eye on factors.

Basically no invasive cancer was found, nevertheless various "markers" had been identified. Markers are indications of a heightened risk of creating invasive breast cancer inside the future. There are many risk elements related using the illness which consist of; age, hormonal risk variables, personal or household history, way of life habits and antecedent intraductal hyperplasia. While neither my age nor way of life give a heightened risk, my household history as well as the diagnosis of each intraductal hyperplasia, and LCIS do improve my risk considerably.

The implication of a cancer diagnosis is somewhat overwhelming, but the essential message is that thanks to screenings produced readily available via funding, I know concerning the risks and I'm in control of my wellness care alternatives.

Cancer in its early stages is complicated to detect with out the use of screening tests. Thanks to concern from my doctors as well as a small diligence on my component, I'm able to remain on leading of my well being concerns.




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