Talking About Your Diagnosis
- “Real Housewives of Miami” stars Julia Lemigova, 51, and Larsa Pippen, 49, clash over sharing Guerdy Abraira’s breast cancer diagnosis before she was ready to share it publicly. Abraira was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer this past spring. She’s since undergone treatment to reach remission.
- Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet that there is no “one right way” to seek support while coping with a diagnosis. She adds some people are comfortable talking openly about their diagnosis, while others prefer to keep it private, and both approaches are normal.
- She encourages those close to a person going through cancer to be respectful of their wishes when it comes to how they are comfortable seeking support.
“Real Housewives of Miami” is never short on drama, but sharing one’s cancer diagnosis without permission rubbed fellow “Housewife” Guerdy Abraira, 45, the wrong way when co-star Larsa Pippen, 49, told everyone she had breast cancer.
Another “Housewife,” very familiar with the emotional toll cancer brings, came to Abraira’s defense and scolded Pippen for sharing cancer details before Abraira was ready to make it public. Julia Lemigova, 51, supported Abraira during the emotional exchange on the reality TV show.
Read MoreThe reality show is taped before its air date, but reunion specials are taped closer to its air date. Although Abraira has been public about her emotional breast cancer journey, luckily, she recently revealed she’s reached remission. However, the struggles of telling other people about a diagnosis often weigh heavy on the minds of many cancer patients.
Helping Patients Cope with a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
To Share or Not to Share
“People should do what feels right to them,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet.
It takes time to cope with a diagnosis, and part of that process includes how to talk to other people about what you are going through. Some people are more open about their diagnosis for reasons that may include showing others battling cancer that they are not alone. However, other people prefer to keep their diagnosis close to the vest to avoid unwanted judgment from others.
“Going through a cancer diagnosis, through treatment, is often a very long process. And then, if you include after treatment ends where a person is in a kind of limbo, waiting to see if they are clear and get their scans. It may be three months or six months into the future. People are still dealing with uncertainty at that point.”
Guerdy’s Journey
The popular reality TV star learned of her breast cancer while vacationing in St. Barts in the Caribbean this past Spring. Her doctor phoned her to tell her that her mammogram revealed she had breast cancer.
RELATED: When you’re called back after a mammogram.
Mammograms are used to screen for breast cancer. Women who haven’t gone through menopause are encouraged to get a mammogram annually between the ages of 45 and 54. If you have experienced menopause, you can get a mammogram every two years.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women begin screening for breast cancer at age 40. Women should talk with their doctor to learn about their cancer risk and assess when a good time is to start annual mammograms.
“I am lucky that this breast cancer was discovered at an early stage. It is still scary, of course, but I have love and support from those around me, and that alone is the fuel that I need,” she previously wrote in an Instagram post.
Early-stage breast cancer means a small tumor in the breast, but no lymph nodes are affected.
Abraira has since undergone surgery, chemo, and radiation to treat her cancer. She’s continuously credited her family for helping her through her journey.
In early November, Abraira announced that she was “cancer-free” on her Instagram channel.
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“Cancer-free! I’m about to ring the radiation bell,” Abraira said in her Instagram clip.
“I’m very excited and so blessed, and I wake up every day counting my blessings,” she added joyfully.
The mother of two described her breast cancer journey as one full of self-discovery.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What can I do if I am uncomfortable talking about my diagnosis?
- What are my options if I need support beyond friends and loved ones?
- What can I do if I feel anxious about my diagnosis?
- How much do I need to disclose to my place of employment?
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