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During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the numbers can be scary. In the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life, according to the American Cancer Society, which estimates 2,870 Oklahomans diagnosed this year.
Elaine Barber refused to let the cancer scare her even when doctors diagnosed her on Halloween – October 31, 2011. Adding to the stress, Elaine was getting divorced.
"I always tell people that it was not a trick or a treat," laughed the Bixby resident. "I found it first, then I had a mammogram, a biopsy and it was confirmed that it was a breast cancer."
This kindergarten teacher studied the various options for fighting HER2-positive aggressive cancer and asked for a second opinion. She speaks to Dr. Sagun Shrestha, Oncologist and Medical Director of Pharmacy at American Cancer Treatment Centers in Tulsa, to develop a treatment plan.
"Even when they are taken at a later stage, we have many options for targeted chemotherapy," Dr. Shrestha said.
Elaine was intrigued by the IORT therapy or interoperative radioactive therapy therapy proposed by the hospital. According to CTCA, IORT gives breast cancer patients the opportunity to undergo nipple-free surgery. This means that they can receive the medical benefits of a complete mastectomy, while leaving the nipple and the areola fully intact.
"And it was a surgery where they applied radiation to the breast at the time of surgery," said Barber, "and at that time, CTCA was the only facility in the United States to do that."
Breast cancer is the cancer most commonly treated by CTCA physicians. About 16% of patients with CTCA have breast cancer followed closely by lung cancer. Fortunately, oncologists today have more treatment options than ever before, including:
- Conservative breast surgery or mastectomy
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy and / or targeted therapy
Since the diagnosis, the CTCA team of doctors has been attacking Elaine cancer with IORT, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Elaine is also enrolled in a one – year clinical trial. Last year, Dr. Rola Eid rebuilt Barber's breast to give it back its symmetrical and feminine appearance. When chemotherapy dropped Elaine's hair, she celebrated the change of images she now shares in the hope that other women will learn that they are at risk for breast cancer. As an educator, she learned about the existence of her cancer and her treatment options and encouraged other women to research the information they need to make an informed decision.
According to Dr. Shrestha, the risks of breast cancer include:
- age
- sex (although men can also develop breast cancer)
- obesity
- abusive consumption of alcohol
- genetic
- family history
With no family history of breast cancer warning her of any risk, Elaine believes that it is essential that women pay attention to their bodies. Be aware of the changes and if you find something, do not be afraid to have it checked, she said. Regular mammograms are recommended.
"Even though I have been NED for three years (no evidence of illness), it is still very important for me to have regular reviews and tests because of the nature of this type of cancer," said Elaine. and metastatic. "
She added:
"I lost too many friends because of this type of cancer because before I knew it, it had spread and / or reached the brain. This is mainly because they have never been told that it was risky to be so aggressive.
Despite the controversy over the age at which women should undergo basic mammography, many doctors, including Dr. Shreshta, agree that 40 years is optimal. She recommends that high-risk women talk to their doctor about the best treatment plan to quickly detect any problem.
"Early diagnosis, early treatment changes the whole prognosis, it is a simple screening test.A mammogram can save a woman's life," said Dr. Shreshta.
Six years after the diagnosis, Elaine's doctors do not see any signs of cancer. Elaine is one of 89% of breast cancer patients who now survive more than five years. She suggests other people with loved ones or friends who have cancer. She believes that the best thing you can do for a cancer patient is to "hug them, support them, make decisions, and not offer the most up-to-date and effective treatments someone described you. "
Elaine now plans to marry her fiance Rick and spend time with her sons when they get home from college. While the intensity of treatment prevented her from returning to full-time teaching, she volunteered several days a week to help children with a developmental disability. His goal is simply to celebrate life.
"The cancer is scary, but I am proof that you can get out of it not only once, but twice," she said.
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