Project Pink

Normal vs Abnormal Mammogram Results

Routine screenings are an important way to establish a baseline of what’s normal. They can also be a tool for early diagnosis before you start showing symptoms of breast cancer.

After your mammogram, a radiologist reviews the images and submits a report to your doctor.

The results are given a score of 0 to 6 under the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). These categories help communicate the results and let the radiologist know what to look for in follow-up visits.

A breast tumor is one abnormality – A cancerous breast tumor is usually irregularly shaped. Unlike a cyst, tumors are firm and they don’t move as freely. Most cancerous tumors are also painless.

Be sure to get your annual mammogram – be proactive with your breast health.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

BRAVE FACE – Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy

Women who’ve been recently diagnosed with breast cancer are almost immediately faced with treatment choices.

– Breast conserving surgery (BCS) -also called lumpectomy or wide local excision (WLE), involves the removal of the part of the breast affected by the cancer, together with a small margin of surrounding normal breast tissue. When combined with post-operative radiotherapy, the term used is breast conserving therapy (BCT).

– Mastectomy involves the total removal of one or both breasts. In most cases, surgery for invasive breast cancer also involves the removal of some lymph nodes from the armpit (axilla).

Important to note: for early stage breast cancer, there is absolutely NO difference in survival between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy with radiation.

There are other differences between these two therapies and one choice is not better than the other. It just depends on what’s right for you.

As part of your early breast cancer treatment, you may be able to choose between a mastectomy or a lumpectomy with radiation. You may also wish that someone would just decide for you.

– Are you worrying about making the wrong choice?

– Are you wondering if you’ll be second-guessing your decision should the cancer return in the future?

– Are your thoughts consumed with just getting the cancer out of your body by whatever means possible?

These reactions and concerns are normal, but they still make the decision difficult.

Fortunately, there is no wrong decision.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

ONWARDS & UPWARDS…

{ Thrown into chaos again as my chance of cancer returning became higher. My heart sank, my face and body felt like they were on fire.

“You need more surgery again”, they said, We must do all we can to put this cancer to bed”.

And so more surgery happened with complications this time. More hospital visits followed; this life just didn’t feel like mine.

….

Time has moved on and 4 lots of surgery is now in the past. Treatment continues and I hold hope the side effects won’t last.

So much has happened, I can hardly believe it’s to be. But here I am, a newer version of me.

And so onwards and upwards in life I now will hopefully go. Determined to keep smiling and simply go with the flow. }

By Jill Rackham
Excerpt from Breast Cancer & Me

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

CHALLENGES…

Cancer at such a young age is rare and for LaShae her story was the last thing she expected.

“At 26, during my PhD studies focused on cancer prevention research, I was ironically diagnosed with breast cancer.”

“Despite my knowledge, grappling with the emotional fallout was challenging. I learned that my fertility could be at risk due to the necessary treatments such as chemotherapy.”

“Fortunately, I was able to freeze my eggs and that preserved my hope to one day become a mother.”

Balancing her treatment (mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy) while pursuing her PhD studies and maintaining a passion for powerlifting was challenging yet empowering.

“The physical activity has been a crucial part of my recovery, providing both physical strength and mental resilience.”

“With the growing number of cancer survivors, prioritizing survivorship is essential. My journey has taught me the value of advocacy and support for young adults with cancer, and I am committed to helping others navigate their journeys through similar challenges.”

Source: LaShae D. Rolle, MPH, CPH (breastcancer.org)

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

ANTICIPATORY GRIEF

With a mastectomy on the horizon as part of your treatment, you will most likely enter into a grieving process – denial, protest, disorientation, detachment and resolution.

Most women take about two years before they report feeling fairly resolved about the loss of a breast. Your most intense grieving will probably happen close to the time of your surgery but you will likely continue to experience some grief from your mastectomy for the rest of your life. You may feel that you have just started to accept and can then be triggered.

Unfair, anger, sadness and confused, nonetheless painful to experience, but are all common emotions and reactions. Every woman grieves in her own way. Give yourself the grace to move through the process at your own time.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

Importance of a breast self exam...

A breast self-exam is an early detection tool that uses a combination of physical and visual checks of the breasts for signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

A breast self-exam is best performed a week after your period when breasts are less tender. If not menstruating, choose a fixed date, like the 1st of the month.

The breast self-exam involves looking in a mirror for changes in shape/skin and feeling for lumps using circular motions while lying down or showering.

If you find a lump – don’t panic! Many women have natural lumps, and most lumps found are not cancer. But call you doctor to get checked immediately!

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

VERNAL DAYS…

Sweetest of the flowers a-blooming
In the fragrant vernal days
Is the “Lily of the Valley”
With its soft, retiring ways.

Well, you chose this humble blossom
As the nurse’s emblem flower,
Who grows more like her ideal
Every day and every hour.

Excerpt from The Lily of the Valley
Paul Laurence Dunbar

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

S‡Xual DESIRE…

Breast cancer treatment and its side effects may affect s*x and intimacy. As we continue with our post care plan, there are emotional and relationship shifts that now enter the dynamic. Healing alone can carry a heavy weight and yearning for our partner has significant boundaries (fear, expectations, loss of drive etc…)

There’s some evidence chemotherapy can cause problems with arousal and or**sm, particularly soon after treatment.

Some anti-depressant drugs can also reduce s*xual desire and may make reaching or**sm more difficult.

If you have menopausal symptoms due to treatment, you may feel less sensation during s*xual arousal. This means it may take longer to or**sm or the intensity of your or**sm may be reduced.

Understanding your partner may be anxious or fearful as well is important. Talking honestly about exactly what kinds of activity may cause pain or sensitivity can help you both navigate the ‘new normal’ and reconnect.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

FOOD & HEALTH: LEMON

Did you know?

Lemons are highly nutritious, offering significant health benefits primarily due to their high vitamin C and antioxidant content.

Key advantages include supporting immune function, enhancing iron absorption, promoting heart health, aiding digestion, and helping prevent kidney stones. They are also a low-calorie way to increase hydration.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.

Why does breast density matter on my mammogram?

Cancers can be hidden or “masked” by dense tissue.

On a mammogram, cancer is white. Normal dense tissue also appears white. If a cancer grows in an area of normal dense tissue, it can be hard or even impossible to see cancer on a mammogram.

It is important to note that dense breast tissue is a common finding. It doesn't mean there's something wrong, but may require supplementary screening such as a breast ultrasound.

Make sure you receive a breast density score upon completion of your mammogram to determine if you have dense breasts. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

PROJECT PINK – Dedicated to the empowerment of men & women in the on-going fight against Breast Cancer in Bermuda.