I never buy Time magazine. But while at the airport looking for something to read, the provocative cover caught my eye. On it was a nude woman, hand over her breast, with the big caption, “What if I decide to just do nothing?” The subtitle? “Breast Cancer’s New Frontier.” Author, Siobhan O’Connor.
I had to read it.
I was thrilled to read that some doctors–surgeons, even–are beginning to realize that many women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer are being pressured to aggressively treat their condition when maybe sometimes a wait-and-see-approach would make more sense.
Currently, 20-25% of all breast cancer diagnoses are DCIS (an acronym for ductal carcinoma in situ.) DCIS means that all cancer cells found are contained within the milk ducts. A recent study revealed that the mortality rate for women with DCIS is 3% regardless of how she is treated! And this survival rate is similar to that of the general population!
In other words, many women are being “massively overtreated.”
I was horrified to read that one woman when informed she had DCIS was then told there was an opening the following week for a mastectomy. Pressuring someone–directly or indirectly–to remove a breast when she has Stage 0 cancer is unconscionable in my opinion. Fortunately this woman got a second opinion and had the courage to ask a new question, “What if I decide to just do nothing?” And, to her credit, this second surgeon admitted, “Well, some people are electing to do just that.”
When I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2011, like all people who hear the word “cancer” directed at them, I was in shock. I couldn’t even begin to think of intelligent questions to ask. I couldn’t wrap my head around any of it. Fortunately, I had several cancer survivor girlfriends to call upon for advice and support.
My friend, Julia, gave me the best advice, hands down. She said, “Most cancers are very slow growing. It’s okay to take the time to make your decisions.” She told me that this time, immediately following the diagnosis, was the scariest part. She assured me that once I made some decisions, I’d feel better.
Once I heard that, I took a metaphoric breath and dove into research. I decided I wasn’t going to jump the gun and blindly do whatever I was told. The first breast specialist I was sent to blithely told me, “Here’s what we’re going to do.” Excuse me? Don’t I get a say here? This is my body! These are my breasts!
He made it easy for me to decide to get a second opinion.
And so, like the woman featured in the article, I also made a decision to do much less than the normal protocol. One patient, Desiree Basila, declined surgery, radiation and chemo but decided to take the drug tamoxifen, which blocks the estrogen which often accelerates the growth of tumors. She decided she would then get regular mammograms and MRIs. I, on the other hand, chose to get a lumpectomy but decided to forgo the tamoxifen and the radiation, both of which were strongly suggested. In fact, I refused to make an appointment with the radiologist because I knew he would pressure me to submit to radiation therapy. (I also changed my diet and lifestyle.)
There are many options and choices. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating cancer.
Dr. Eric Winer, director of breast oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, expresses the conundrum of today’s thinking oncologists: “Our two greatest challenges are figuring out better treatments for the 40,000 women who die of breast cancer every year, and at same time, figure out who, on the other end of the spectrum, is getting exposed to needless toxicity.” (sic)
Absolutely. You don’t have to be a surgeon to know that radiation causes cancer or that almost all drugs have challenging side effects. The benefits must outweigh the risks. “First do no harm” (or words to that effect) is part of the Hippocratic Oath that all medical doctors take.
At long last, there appears to be a gradual willingness on the part of many oncologists to admit that sometimes the treatments being offered are not necessarily necessary and therefore they don’t always warrant the risk.
Author Siobhan O’Connor also makes the extremely valid point that the word “cancer” is almost, without fail, a very scary word to hear. Unfortunately that same word is used to describe both a low-grade DCIS that may never be life-threatening as well as a rapacious Stage IV cancer. This often results in excessive fear that sometimes promotes what could be considered overly drastic treatments.
I love the ending sentence of this article when Basila encourages us to think of quality of life when making decisions regarding breast cancer treatment options. She says, “I think we really hurt ourselves by trying to just not be dead.”
If you are a woman with DCIS, I encourage you to get as well-informed as possible. Do as much research as you can and ask as many questions as necessary. Find the clinicians who respect you and your questions and who consider all the options. Then after you’ve given yourself sufficient time, make the decision that’s right for you. Lead with your brain, then go with your gut.
Blessings and good health to each one of you.
The Breast Blog 