CNN’s Sara Sidner, 51, to Take Break From Anchor Desk to Undergo Breast Cancer Surgery, Says Treatment is ‘More of a Marathon Than a Sprint’

When a woman decides to have a mastectomy, several factors go into that decision. Among things to consider is whether to have breast-conserving surgery such as a lumpectomy instead. These decisions should be made alongside your doctor by openly and candidly discussing risks vs. benefits of the different procedures.

WATCH: What to consider before a mastectomy. 

It usually takes surgeons about two hours to remove the cancer during a double mastectomy.

Sidner’s Ongoing Journey

Sidner is an award-winning journalist who covers major news events in the U.S. and abroad. She was covering the unrest in Israel last Fall when she learned she needed a biopsy after getting a mammogram, which screens for breast cancer. The biopsy discovered a lump that turned out to be stage 3 breast cancer.

Since her diagnosis, Sidner has taken her cancer journey in stride, beginning with chemotherapy.

“For me, the first couple of infusions, I was fine in ways I could not have imagined. I actually asked my doctor if this s—t was working. I felt like superwoman,” Sidner recalled.

This past winter, Sidner shared video clips of herself doing intense exercise routines. However, by her fourth round of chemotherapy, the side effects started to take their toll.

She had already started cryotherapy, which involves wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment to help prevent hair loss.

“Normally, 60% to 80% of your hair goes after your second infusion and, if you’re lucky, into your third. I was prepared for it [hair loss],” Sidner said as she held up a strand of hair she’d lost so far.

WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device?

Scalp-cooling devices have recently been approved by the FDA, first for breast cancer and then several other cancers. The cold caps, which are tightly fitting and strap-on helmet-style, are filled with a gel coolant that’s chilled to between -15 and -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Essentially, the caps “cause vasoconstriction, or a narrowing of the blood vessels bringing blood to the scalp,” Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington, explains.

By constricting the blood flow to the scalp, the caps limit the circulating chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, protecting them from some of the chemo’s damaging effects.

The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles, slowing down cell division and making the follicles less affected by the chemotherapy medicine.

Sidner finished 16 rounds of chemo for treatment before breast cancer surgery.

Throughout Sidner’s journey, she says she’s learned the value of self-care because although she’s managed the rigors of treatment better than she expected, some days were still hard to get through.

“This is a lesson about real self-care, and real self-care to me is drinking enough water, going for a run, working out, letting yourself be mad, and letting yourself cry,” Sidner continued.

Weighing Breast Reconstruction

Some women decide to have their breasts reconstructed after receiving a mastectomy. Reconstruction gives women the chance to have implants put in right after the mastectomy procedure. However, some women choose not to have reconstruction at all.

Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, told SurvivorNet that most women do opt to have some reconstruction. Depending on what sort of surgery a woman chooses, the time spent in surgery can vary a great deal.

There are many different options and techniques available for reconstruction — from implants to using a woman’s own tissue — and choices about when to get the reconstruction, meaning immediate (at the time of mastectomy) or delayed (which could be months or even years later).

Immediate reconstruction can produce better results than delayed reconstruction, resulting in fewer surgeries. However, it may require a longer initial hospitalization and recovery time. This long surgery may also have a higher risk of complications, such as infections, than two separate surgeries.

It may be worth noting that “Delayed reconstruction has fewer complications than immediate reconstruction,” Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, told SurvivorNet.

When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). During reconstruction, one can also take one’s own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it into the breast area.

How to Choose the Right Surgeon?

Surgical procedures such as a double mastectomy can be an emotional part of a woman’s breast cancer journey. Choosing the right surgeon is extremely important for such a heavy part of the process.

SurvivorNet doctors say women should trust their gut when choosing a surgeon — and feel comfortable asking about their experience and expertise.

WATCH: How to choose a surgeon?

“You shouldn’t just ask surgeons how many operations they’ve performed because volume is not necessarily the best indicator of the right surgeon for you. On the other hand, you don’t want a surgeon who is inexperienced,” urologic oncologist Dr. Jay Shah said.

Ultimately, patients should go with a surgeon they feel they can trust.

What to Ask Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have questions about keeping your strength through treatment. Here are a few questions to help you begin the conversation with your doctor:

• What treatment will I be receiving?
• What side effects are associated with this treatment?
• Are there steps I can take daily to help minimize these side effects?
• What physical activity routine do you recommend for me during treatment?
• If surgery is needed, is a double mastectomy the safest option?

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