Updated: 11:00 EDT, 31 August 2022
After her GP incorrectly dismissed a lump in her breast, a NHS oncology nurse was diagnosed as having an aggressive form of invasive ductal carcinoma. She was told that the tumour would return in two years as she had an aggressive form of invasive breast carcinoma. High levels of female sex hormone, especially ER-positive, can increase the likelihood of breast tumors growing. Ms Jackson stated that she cried her eyes out and asked herself if she was going to die, and if she was going to lose all her hair. Other than the lump, I didn’t have any other symptoms. It felt completely random, and the diagnosis was so shocking. ‘I felt let down. It was initially believed that it was nothing due to age. “I am frustrated with the guidance given to me about the’stereotypical lumps’ to look for, such as hard or non-moveable. Mine met all criteria to be considered ‘nothing. “If I had left it for four weeks, as the GP suggested it, it might have spread and I would have been faced with an incurable diagnosis. Ms Jackson felt frustrated and also struggled to understand the process. I didn’t have that luxury, and was instead immediately aware of the possibility of having surgery, chemotherapy, losing my hair, and becoming infertile at such an early age. My job helped me in a way because I didn’t have to worry about chemo. I knew what was going to happen, I knew the drugs and I trusted the people who gave it to me. This saved me a lot of worry. Ms. Jackson visited her doctor in September, and then went to the breast surgeon in October. She was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 4. Doctors took some of the healthy tissue from her breast to prevent the tumour from growing again. The surgery was followed by fertility treatment that preserved her eggs, which began on December 5. The drugs used in chemotherapy can lower oestrogen levels. This prevents eggs from being released into the womb, and causes periods to stop. This can make pregnancy impossible, and it can be either temporary or permanent. Even if periods do return, menopause can occur earlier than usual, which can reduce the chance of having a baby. Ms Jackson began her first round on January 19, and radiotherapy in June. Her hair, including her eyebrows, started to fall after the chemotherapy. After her second round of chemotherapy, she decided to shave off her hair and wear a wig or a headscarf. She described it as an “out of body experience” and said that she felt strangely receiving the chemotherapy drugs she’d previously given to other patients. “I was also disbelieving to see my name on the chemotherapy bag and have my details checked, when it was usually me on either side. It caused me distress because I was unwell and couldn’t work for a time which made me anxious. However, it was comforting to see my colleagues continue working and taking care of me. Ms Jackson had to quit work during her treatment and she now believes that her views on her job have changed since her return on July 21. She stated that she feels differently about work. She has more empathy for patients and feels like she has a unique understanding. “I have my struggles, though, as I am also a cancer survivor and will continue to be so for a long time. I feel tired and run down because of the NHS, which has a small staff and is overworked. It can be difficult to accept the fact that I have to support patients through cancer and look after them. Ms Jackson admits that although she experiences periods of constant fear while working on a cancer ward, she finds it distracting to return to work. Ms Jackson was told her cancer will return, but she wants to raise awareness about the disease and the importance to advocate for your own health. She said, “I would love to spread awareness about cancer at a young age, even if you have no family history, genetics, or other risk factors than taking the contraceptive pill.” “Early detection saved my life, so it’s important to check your health every month and push to get your issues checked out. “You don’t waste anyone’s time.” Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world, affecting more than 2,000,000 women annually. There are more than 55,000 new cases in the UK each year, and the disease takes the lives of over 11,500 women. It kills 40,000 and strikes 266,000 Americans each year in the US. It is a deadly disease that affects 266,000 women each year and kills 40,000. Some people are diagnosed as having ‘carcinoma-in situ’. This is when the cancer cells are not spread beyond the ducts or lobules. However, younger women can be affected. Although breast cancer is uncommon in men, it can occur in women as well. Stages indicate how large the cancer is and how far it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage, while stage 4 is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. A cancerous tumor is formed from an abnormal cell. It is not known why a cell becomes malignant. Some cells are affected by something that alters or damages their genes. The cell becomes abnormal and multiplies ‘out-of-control’. The lymph nodes in your armpit are the first place breast cancer spreads. Initial assessment: A doctor will examine your breasts and armpits. A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a small amount of tissue from one part of the body. The microscope is used to examine the sample for abnormal cells. The sample can be used to confirm or rule out breast cancer. If it is confirmed, additional tests may be required to determine if the cancer has spread. There are many treatment options available for breast cancer. These include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatment, and surgery. Radiotherapy: This treatment uses high-energy beams of radiation to target cancerous tissue. This treatment kills or stops cancer cells multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplyingHormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the ‘female’ hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. People with breast cancer often receive treatment that reduces or stops the levels of these hormones. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure.The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 mean more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.For more information visit breastcancercare.org.uk, breastcancernow.org or www.cancerhelp.org.uk Advertisement
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