The Cancer Journey: Then and Now

Going through cancer has changed so much over the past thirty-two years! The flow of information and education has helped people get screened sooner. Diagnosis has become more precise by breaking down cancer into genetic and molecular profiles, like with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, leading to more targeted treatment plans. There are more varied and specific support groups for cancer patients, offered online either internationally or locally and in person. Advocates have become available to accompany patients through various stages of diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. There are more psychotherapists specializing in supporting cancer patients. Integrative medicine focusing on quality of life has become part of the cancer treatment center, offering relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, movement, drumming, and more. Some centers have a nutritionist on staff. And, let’s not forget the healing weekend retreats offered in many areas.

Finding a lump and a breast cancer diagnosis in 1993

Thirty-two years ago, I had breast cancer. Within 6 months of my routine mammogram, I felt a lump in my right breast. It was rather hard and immovable. I knew that was not good. I immediately called my gynecologist who saw me that same day. After she examined me, she suggested further testing. I called my boss and told him I would not be in and spent the rest of the day doing blood work, and X-rays, having another mammogram, and being sent to a breast surgeon who did a needle biopsy. It would be more than a week before I’d get my results, which were positive. I was then sent to an oncologist, where I would receive chemo before being transferred to another radiation oncologist for radiation. Surgery started about a month later.

Facing cancer with little information or support

At the time, I recall feeling like I was walking around in someone else’s bad dream. When my oncologist spoke to me, I could see his lips moving, but I heard static, like white noise, not words. I did not have anywhere to turn. Cancer was not talked about openly in those days. There weren’t advocates who could accompany cancer patients along their journey deciphering information and suggesting what questions to ask. Support groups existed, but were scarce. They were local (in person) and very general. Google didn’t exist yet. I had to write to organizations and go to the medical library at the university to look up “breast cancer.” I read and read and read. I needed to make informed decisions. Should I have a lumpectomy or mastectomy? What would my reaction to chemo be? And, to radiation?

Triple-negative breast cancer before targeted therapy

Information was not at my fingertips like it is now. My oncologist was wonderful, and he explained what he could to me. We could not identify the subtype of breast cancer at first. The HER2 gene was not being widely tested in 1993. Several years passed before we found out I had triple-negative breast cancer after HER2 testing became available. However, since the lump came up so quickly, we knew it was aggressive. My oncologist told me that we would treat it aggressively. I wasn’t sure what any of this meant and did not know what questions to ask. A very general approach was taken to cancer and subsequent treatment. Individualized protocols involving targeted gene therapy and/or immunotherapy were not available yet. Integrative medicine, relaxation modalities, and movement classes were not readily accessible. I looked.

My second cancer diagnosis, then and now

Fast forward thirty-two years. My current oncologist/hematologist, who was treating me for a blood clot (DVT), thought I looked very pale during one of our visits. I had been complaining of fatigue, bloating, and pressure on my diaphragm. He did bloodwork and called me the next day to say I had ovarian cancer. He also ordered a peritoneal biopsy that I had a couple of days later. It was positive for peritoneal cancer. I was sent to a geneticist within days of the first blood test. I was also sent to a gynecological oncologist who wanted to do surgery immediately. Within 5 days of this appointment, I was in surgery. The main tumor was found in my uterus, and I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Thirty-two years ago, I waited a bit over a week for biopsy results. This time around, it took about two weeks to go through many tests, get results quickly, and direct me to surgery. Thirty-two years ago, my treatment was standard without any genetic or further testing outside of the CA125 blood marker for ovarian cancer. I can’t imagine going through this second cancer thirty-two years ago. I trust the physicians would have tried their hardest, but the data, research and medical advances that exist today were simply not there yet.

Gratitude for personalized care and better support

Personally, having this perspective from 32 years ago to now has stirred up such gratitude for the medical and personal advancements that have been made in cancer treatment. More and better screening. Better flow of information being communicated through local and social media. More personalized, targeted therapies. Better ways of handling the side effects of treatment. Much more support all around. Yes! Going through cancer now compared to thirty-two years ago is very different. It is so much better.