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Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
A Premier Nursing, Rehabilitation & Long-Term Care Center 18 Butler Blvd. Bayville, NJ 08721 www.TallwoodsCareCenter.com 732-237-2220
Discover Ocean County’s Fountain of Youth 527 River Ave. Lakewood, NJ 08701 www.FountainViewCareCenter.com 732-905-0700
Breast Cancer Advice Written By Jennifer Charles, RN, BSN Director of Nursing
About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12.4%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older). Knowing these statistics should push us to be more aware, and take all preventive measures to diminish our risk of developing breast cancer. I was diagnosed with Paget’s disease which is a very rare form of breast cancer, 9 years ago. Paget’s disease most commonly affects middle-aged individuals, primarily occurring between 50 to 60 years of age. I was 39 years old when I was diagnosed. I simply woke up one morning and noticed a rash on my left breast, no itching, no drainage, no pain. As a nurse, I did not think anything of it and started treating it myself. After 1 month of treating it myself, I received a random email that my cousin sent to 10 different women with the title “page’s disease”. It pricked my curiosity to open that email because as a nurse, I remember saying to myself “not sure what Paget’s disease is, don’t remember studying it in school and definitely never took care of a patient with it.” As I started reading the email, it was describing my left breast rash!!!! I went into total panic. The article spoke about how Paget’s disease is often misdiagnosed as a skin condition and the only way to diagnose it is through a biopsy. I immediately made an appointment to see a breast surgeon, printed the email to show her and demanded a biopsy. The breast surgeon refused to do a biopsy and told me that as a surgeon dealing with all kind of breast issues,
the rash didn’t fit the criteria of Paget’s and she will not do a biopsy. I believed her and trusted her professional opinion. I continued to follow up with her and kept on complaining about the rash, but nothing was done. Until this day, as a nurse, I’m not sure why I didn’t go for a second opinion. After 1 year and 7 months with the rash, I finally went to see a dermatologist after my gynecologist told me I was starting vitiligo. The dermatologist took one look and said that he needs to rule out Paget’s disease and did not think I had a skin condition. He took a biopsy and 10 days later, called me with the news - I have been dealing with breast cancer for a year and seven months. Since I had the cancer for such a long time, the oncologist wasn’t sure how much damage was done. The recommendation was to have a total left mastectomy and have 12 lymph nodes removed. I was lucky that the cancer did not spread but I needed chemotherapy as a preventative. Unfortunately, even after so many years, I am suffering from long term effects of the chemo. My advice to everyone is: • Take preventative measures • Exercise • Eat organic food as much that you can • Plenty of fruits, vegetables, and water • Do not smoke • No excessive drinking alcohol • Know your breasts, so that when there’s a change you can notice it immediately, and do a monthly breast self exam. • Yearly mammogram • If you notice a change, immediately follow up with doctor. If your doctor will not listen and you feel something is wrong, go for a second opinion.
The County Woman Magazine www.TheCountyWoman.com
September/October 2021
