Sylvia Weinstock has got some spunk. The stories she tells about her time as a wedding cake designer to the stars are pretty incredible — and always hilarious. This is a woman who really exemplifies living life to the fullest.
Because Weinstock is a take-charge kind of woman, she jumped to action the very second she felt a sign of cancer.
Read MoreTaking charge
Her first experience with cancer began when she felt a lump in her breast. She was instructed by a doctor to keep an eye on it — but she didn’t like the prospect of not taking action. She insisted on a biopsy, and her doctors found cancer.If Weinstock’s stories tell us anything — it’s that we need to take charge when we’re worried about our health.
After all was said and done — Weinstock said experiencing cancer was actually a blessing in disguise for her; it changed her way of thinking.
“Cancer changed my life for the better,” she said. “It gave me a better perspective. It taught me a couple of things … that you cherish what you have, not what you don’t have. And that you strive to make each day wonderful and you also try to make everybody else’s life wonderful.”
She also added that she is sure to have a vodka drink every day — “that’s part of my chemotherapy too.”
Having cancer more than once
Another very important lesson to take away from Weinstock’s experience – you can have more than one cancer.
In fact, data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program noted that cancer survivors have a special reason to stay on top of their check ups. Their studies indicate that one in four people diagnosed with cancer are likely to be diagnosed with another cancer within five years.
When someone has been diagnosed with a second cancer, it can either be a cancer that has spread from the original site – metastatic cancer – or a completely new and unrelated cancer called a second primary cancer.Distinguishing between metastatic cancer and a second primary cancer is important because it affects treatment decisions and prognosis.
What is metastatic cancer?
Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells from the original tumor break away and spread to other parts of the body.
These cells can form new tumors in different organs or tissues. In this case, the cancer is still considered the same type as the original cancer, but it is now present in multiple locations.
What is second primary cancer?
On the other hand, a second primary cancer is a completely new and independent cancer that develops separately from the first cancer.
It can occur in the same organ or in a different organ. Each primary cancer has its own unique characteristics and requires separate evaluation and treatment.
Figuring out why you have a second diagnosis of cancer often requires further testing. Your doctor may order imaging scans, biopsies, or genetic analysis, to determine the nature of the new cancer.
Lung cancer: were you a smoker?
Weinstock’s second cancer was lung cancer which is among the most common and serious types of cancer in the United States.
If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, one of the questions your doctor will ask you is “Do you, or did you ever, smoke?”
The answer plays a crucial role in determining what type of treatment you will have.
Related: Lung Cancer in Smokers vs. Non-Smokers
Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, but non-smokers also develop the disease. There are special treatments for the genetic drivers in non-smokers. These usually involve targeting specific molecules within tumors, such as PD-L1, to disrupt their growth and hide them from the immune system.
Other medications effectively treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients without specific genetic mutations common in smokers.
What is a biopsy?
Weinstock insisted on having the biopsy which revealed her breast cancer. This is also a very important procedure to determine if you have lung cancer.
A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves the removal of a small sample of tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. It is often used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, including cancer, infections, and other diseases. The process can provide crucial information to help healthcare providers determine the most appropriate treatment plan for a patient.
Related: What You Need to Know About Biopsies
The type of biopsy you will have depends on the location and size of the tumor, as well as the patient’s overall health and specific circumstances. Common types of biopsies used for diagnosing lung cancer include:
- Bronchoscopy: A doctor inserts a special camera known as a bronchoscope through the mouth or nose into the lungs to view and collect tissue samples.
- Needle Biopsy: A needle is guided by imaging, such as a CT scan, to remove a tissue sample from the lung through the chest wall.
- Thoracentesis: A needle extracts fluid from the pleural space around the lungs for examination when there’s a buildup of fluid.
- Mediastinoscopy: A small incision at the neck base allows for the insertion of an instrument known as a mediastinoscope to sample lymph nodes behind the breastbone.
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS): This method combines a bronchoscope with ultrasound to visualize and biopsy chest structures, including lymph nodes, without an incision.After your biopsy procedure,your doctor will send the collected tissue sample to a laboratory for examination. A specialized doctor called a pathologist will analyze the sample to determine whether you have cancer. This could take a few days or up to a few weeks.Once you get your results, your doctors will discuss them with you. If you have lung cancer, you and your healthcare team will decide on next steps.
Your next steps are important
If you’ve just been given a diagnosis of lung cancer, you’ll naturally be processing a lot of emotions. But being armed with science-backed information will empower you to take charge of your journey.
Related: You’ve Just Found Out You Have Lung Cancer: Your Next Steps Are Important
There are things you can do immediately including:
- If you smoke, stop: It’s never too late to make a positive difference in your health by quitting. Smokers, who continue to smoke, don’t do as well as patients who stop smoking
- If you don’t smoke, know your options: The DNA of your tumor, which often correlates with whether or not you’re a smoker, can help doctors determine the right treatment options for you.
- Choose a doctor: Your treatment team for lung cancer may include a variety of medical specialists including a pulmonologist for lung health, an oncologist for cancer care, a radiologist for imaging, and a thoracic surgeon for surgical procedures.
- Learn about immunology: A new class of immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors offers encouraging news for people with certain types of lung cancer, They show promise for people who have late-stage lung cancer.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.