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Diligent Screenings Stop
the Spread of Breast Cancer
After Ocean Medical Center doctors confirmed this Vernon dental assistant's genetic risk for cancer,
she received additional screenings that caught a deadly cancer early.
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer among women in
the U.S. after skin cancer. It is the
second leading cause of cancer death in
women after lung cancer. According to the
American Cancer Society, about 40,460
women will die of the disease this year.
"When it comes to breast cancer, many
of the risks are beyond your control, such
as your age and genetic makeup," says
Suzanne Steelman, M.D., a board certified
general surgeon at Ocean Medical Center.
"If you aren't sure of your level of risk, set
up an appointment to see a specialist, who
can provide a risk assessment and recommend
an appropriate screening plan."
Elevated Risk May RequireExtra Testing
From the age of 32, when she was diagnosed
with breast cancer for the first time,
Michele Leone has been diligent about her
breast health — always going for her annual
mammogram and sonogram and regularly
consulting with a breast surgeon for routine
breast exams.
By October 2007, Michele, then 52,
had been diagnosed with breast cancer
twice before. "Nothing was found during
my annual mammogram and sonogram
that year," she says.
After consulting with Dr. Steelman
about her elevated risk, Michele agreed
to have a breast cancer (BRCA) gene test
done as well as a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scan for further screening.
The BRCA gene test is a blood test that
looks for specific gene markers that are
strongly associated with breast cancer.
This helps doctors determine a person's
chance of developing hereditary breast
and ovarian cancers. The test is usually
offered to those with a strong family
history of breast or ovarian cancer, and
sometimes for those who already have
had one of these cancers.
Michele's test revealed that she was
indeed a carrier of the BRCA gene. After
receiving her results, Michele scheduled
an appointment with R.L. Dillon, M.D.,
a board certified radiologist at Ocean
Medical Center, to have her MRI scan.
MRIs of breast tissue are beneficial for
those at a higher risk for breast cancer
because they offer valuable information
that cannot be obtained by other imaging
technologies such as mammography or
ultrasound. Women whose lifetime risk for breast cancer is greater than 20 percent
should get an MRI and a mammogram
every year.
Difficult Decision
"When the results came back from the
MRI, I was surprised to learn it had
detected a small lump in my breast,"
recalls Michele. "I really did not know
what was next. Drs. Steelman and Dillon
were very supportive and provided me
with information about my options. After
consulting with them and my family, I
decided to have a breast biopsy at Ocean
Medical Center."
During the biopsy, samples of breast
tissue were removed with a special needle
and then examined under a microscope
to determine if cancer or other abnormal
cells were present. Michele was devastated
to learn that the mass was malignant.
Michele consulted with Dr. Steelman
and Christopher Godek, M.D., a board
certified plastic surgeon at Ocean Medical
Center, about having a double mastectomy
— the removal of both breasts — in order
to eliminate all the cancer and any future
risk for a recurrence. Michele decided to
have the two doctors perform the double
mastectomy, and she chose to have breastreconstruction
surgery afterward.
"The process has been very difficult,
but I am extremely fortunate to have had
some of the best doctors. They are not
only skilled professionals but very caring
and supportive people," says Michele.
"It makes all the difference in the world
in both the recovery and the healing
processes."
 – Rob Cavanaugh
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With so much information out there about
breast cancer, sometimes it's difficult to
separate fact from fiction. Suzanne
Steelman, M.D., of Ocean Medical Center
addresses three common misconceptions
about the disease — and explains what
you really need to know:
Myth 1: A family history of breast cancer
is the biggest risk factor for the disease.
Reality: "While family history is an important
risk factor for breast cancer, the
majority of women with breast cancer have
no known family history of the disease,"
says Dr. Steelman. "Just being a woman
puts you at risk, but growing older has the
biggest effect on how likely you are to
develop the disease." About 77 percent of
women with breast cancer are older than
age 50 when they're diagnosed.
Myth 2: Breast cancer is the number one
cause of death in women.
Reality: "Statistics show that almost
100,000 more women die of heart disease
than of any type of cancer — including
that of the breast," Dr. Steelman says.
"However, breast cancer is still a serious
health threat. It's ranked second, behind
lung cancer, and claims the lives of about
40,000 women a year."
Myth 3: A monthly breast self-exam is the
best way to detect a lump.
Reality: "You may be more likely to notice
a new lump or other changes if you're
familiar with how your breasts normally
feel, but a mammogram is the best way to
detect breast cancer," explains Dr.
Steelman. "One of these X-rays can detect
a tumor well before you'd be able to feel
it with your fingers." And the earlier that
breast cancer is detected, the more effective
treatment is likely to be.
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