Updated: 08:07 EDT, 14 September 2022
A mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her twenties told how doctors mistakenly believed she was too young to get the disease. Melissa Fisher, a Portsmouth mother, panicked when she felt a large lump in her right breast in September 2020. Doctors told her that it was not cancerous and that she didn’t need to worry because she was too young to be diagnosed. He basically said to me, “You don’t need worry about cancer, because you’re too old,”‘ Mrs Fisher said. The mother-of-one was shocked when she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer one month later. Mrs Fisher used to do regular breast exams in her shower before her diagnosis. She said that her lump appeared out of nowhere. How to check your breasts and what to watch out for by Liz O’Riordan, a breast surgeon and survivor of breast cancer. A lump can be visible in the breast or in the armpit. It may be obvious or not visible. Other signs include dimpling on the breasts, inverted nipples or bleeding from the nose. Red rash may also indicate an underlying problem. Post-menopausal women can check their breasts at any time, but it is best to do so during your period. If your breasts appear large, lift them up to check the skin underneath. Now, tense your chest muscles by putting your hands on your hips. You can feel your entire breast by moving your fingers from your cleavage to the top of your armpit. If it’s still there you should see a doctor .<!-. – Ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/health/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html.id=mpu_factbox_1
It was subconscious. I didn't think, "Oh, I must check to ensure there is no lump." It was painful and it was difficult to move, but it was painless. The lump didn't stick out or feel like anything. You had to push it in to feel it. It felt a little smaller than a golfball to me. The first thing that struck me when I saw it was "oh my God, this is cancer!" 'Mrs Fisher arranged a GP visit and was seen within two hours. She was then referred to Queen Alexandra Hospital for an ultrasound and biopsy. The results were shared with her in October 2020, a month after her GP visit. They showed that her tumour was located in the linings of her milk ducts. This protein encourages the cancer growth to grow faster. Mrs Fisher stated that it was a terrible experience to hear those words when she was diagnosed. I can still remember breaking down. My first thought was "I'm going be dead, my daughter will grow up without a mother." It was terrible and I was left on my own because of Covid. I had a consultant and a nurse who was breast care, and they couldn't comfort you, give you a hug, or do anything because we weren't allowed [due to the pandemic]. I wasn't expecting to hear the news. Everyone kept telling me that they were fine and that they were young. "So, I didn't even have anyone waiting for me in the car park. "Mrs Fisher stated that doctors shouldn't say that until they're certain it's not cancer. Her diagnosis took her'massively off guard'. 'It frustrates me that people say things like "Oh, you're too young, don't worry about it," but in reality, breast cancer can strike anyone at any age. Every year, hundreds of women are diagnosed with the disease. The rate of breast cancer is higher in older age groups. In Britain, there are around 13,400 cases every year. This figure is eight times higher in the US. She calmed my nerves and I realized that I needed to tell my family and friends. "You have to assume the role of trying not to be weak while they process the information. Mrs Fisher was assured that she had caught the cancer early and it was treatable. She also underwent a lumpectomy, which removes a tumor from the breast, and a sentinel lymphnode biopsy, which tests for the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes. The procedure, which uses blue dye for the identification of the lymph nodes caused Mrs Fisher anaphylactic shock, and she spent 24 hours on a ventilator. She was also offered fertility preservation treatment through NHS, as she was young and the treatment could have an impact on her ability to conceive. After conceiving 19 eggs, she began chemotherapy. She was discharged in April 2021 after six rounds of chemotherapy. Mrs Fisher continued with radiotherapy for a period of two weeks and then received an injection to combat her cancer HER2 protein until August 2021. A CT scan confirmed that she was clear. Mrs Fisher stated that she experienced the most anxiety during her treatment. I couldn't leave my house, or even take my daughter to the park by myself. I would feel too anxious, scared, and unwell to do anything. "I had never experienced anxiety like that before. It can also affect your physical health. It's an obviously vain thing to do, but losing your hair was the hardest part for me. "My crown was my hair." It was my crown and it was my favorite part of me. Although that sounds silly, losing it is like losing your identity. After a rollercoaster ride, Mrs Fisher now conducts monthly breast exams and reminds her friends and family on Instagram to do the exact same. "Now, I'm passionate about spreading awareness, especially for young ladies because there are so many who get fobbed of — whether it be for breast cancer or any other type of cancer. They don't get heard until their symptoms become too severe, and then there are so many women who die from secondary or metastatic breast cancer. "I believe it's important to advocate for yourself and anyone else who has gone through it. You can find hope and life again. A spokesperson for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust said that while we cannot comment on individual cases, we can assure patients that all patients referred to our hospital for breast cancer symptoms are thoroughly examined in order to determine if they are diagnosed. "Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world, and it affects more than 2,000,000 women each year. 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 can occur in men, it is very rare. 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. They may also perform tests like a mammography or a special xray of the breast tissue to determine if there are any tumours. 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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