Navigating a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Singer-songwriter Rita Wilson, 69, has reminded fans that after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, she asked her husband Tom Hanks to honor her with a “celebration of life,” which ultimately inspired her to write the song, “Throw Me a Party.”
- Dr. Natasha Robinette, a neurological radiologist at Karmanos Cancer Institute, knows first-hand how confusing it can be to navigate the complex world of cancer treatment after a new diagnosis, as she’s a survivor herself.
- Her biggest tips for patients navigating a new diagnosis are to be armed with knowledge, try to keep it positive, and to bring a support person when possible to help you digest and keep track of information during appointments.
- It’s important to remember that survivorship, like in Wilson’s case, isn’t just an end state – it’s a continuous journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.” It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.
Speaking to her longtime friend and fellow actress Demi Moore, 63, at an event held at New York City’s 92NY on April 28, Wilson explained that her song “Throw Me a Party” was written following her experience with cancer.
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Wilson was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer or infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC)—which initiates in the small, milk-producing glands within the breast called lobules—in 2015.
Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the breast’s milk-producing glands, called lobules, and can spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It makes up a smaller share of breast cancer cases.
Wilson, who has been cancer free for 11 years now, chose to undergo a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery to treat the form of breast cancer.
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We love Wilson’s ability to remain positive and determination to enjoy life. She even took to Instagram back in 2019, to share she wanted her husband to throw a party.
She captioned the post, featuring a photo of her and Hanks laughing at a party, “Four years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had so many different thoughts. You’re scared, anxious, you think about your own mortality.
“So I had a serious discussion with my husband that if anything happens, I wanted him to be super sad for a very long time and I’d also like a party, a celebration.”
Stemming from that story she told fans she wrote “Throw Me a Party” with renowned Nashville-based songwriters and producers Liz Rose and Kristian Bush.
Ahead of Wilson’s upcoming album release, she shared some sweet memories in another Instagram post, asking fans if they’ve heard of something called “the butterfly effect.”
She said, “The idea that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wings can eventually cause a hurricane. After writing Sound of a Woman, that idea has never felt more true.
“Every phase of life, child, daughter, wife, career woman, mother, producer, singer, even the ones that felt hard, shapes who we become. They all led here. For all of us.”
Understanding Rita Wilson’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis
“I have had an underlying condition of LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ), which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs,” Wilson previously shared with People.
Lobular carcinoma in situ isn’t cancer according to the American Cancer Society, but the abnormal cells do indicate an elevated cancer risk.
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
After undergoing two biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) – a subtype of LCIS according to the National Cancer Institute -was discovered.
Wilson said after the breast cancer screening that she was “relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.”
However, a friend who previously had breast cancer encouraged the actress to get a second medical opinion.
RELATED: Access To Good Information Is Crucial After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
“My gut told me that was the thing to do. A different pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. His diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by yet another pathologist. I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health,” Wilson said.
WATCH: The Difference a Second Opinion Can Make.
“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care,” National Cancer Institute chief of surgery, Dr. Steven Rosenberg, tells SurvivorNet.
“Finding a doctor who is up on the latest information is important, and it’s always important to get other opinions so that you can make the best decisions for yourself in consultation with your care providers.”
“You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key,” Wilson added.
Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers.
“So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon who is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.
Other reasons to get a second opinion include:
- To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
- You have a rare type of cancer
- There are several ways to treat your cancer
- You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you good advice
- You have trouble understanding your doctor
- You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
- Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
- Your cancer isn’t improving with your current treatment
Dr. Natasha Robinette, a neurological radiologist at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, previously spoke to SurvivorNet on her perspective on cancer, not just as a medical professional but as someone who has personally faced a disease herself.
Expert Tips For Staying Informed, Positive, & Resilient Amid Cancer
Diagnosed with a scalp sarcoma during her medical residency over 20 years ago, Dr. Robinette underwent extensive treatment, including multiple surgeries, before achieving long-term remission, giving her valuable insights that help her connect with patients on a deeper level.
“I can offer [patients] a little insight and say that I really do understand where they’re coming from,” shares Dr. Robinette. “I’ve been in their position, and just kind of talking to them about how knowledge is power and to empower yourself by knowing more, learning more, and staying positive.”
From her experience as both doctor and patient, Dr. Robinette has some practical advice as patients deal with changes to their lives — including trying to navigate many appointments and meetings with cancer specialists.
Her tips include:
- Being prepared for potential delays in getting appointments, which can be mentally challenging when you’re anxious to begin treatment
- Bringing a support person to appointments who can take detailed notes
- Maintaining resilience through inevitable setbacks by staying informed about treatment options and focusing on achievable goals.
This approach helped Dr. Robinette not only recover but also show her loved ones that she could return to normal life activities despite her diagnosis.
Wilson’s Breast Cancer Treatment
“I underwent a bilateral mastectomy (also called a double mastectomy) and reconstruction for breast cancer,” Wilson explained.
A double mastectomy is a procedure that removes both breasts. Some women choose to get a double mastectomy to reduce their risk of cancer, especially if they have a family history of cancer or possess the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation, which also increases their risk.
WATCH: Dr. Elisa Port explains what happens during a double mastectomy.
Deciding to undergo a mastectomy can be an emotional experience for many women facing breast cancer. While the surgery itself may only take a few hours, the changes can be difficult to adjust to mentally.
“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removal of the tissue,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. “The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has.”
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When to Screen for Breast Cancer
The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
WATCH: When you’re getting a mammogram, ask about dense breasts.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
Whether you’re beginning your journey into survivorship or are a seasoned survivor, you’ll quickly learn that it’s a term with many layers. At its simplest, ‘survivorship’ signifies the state of living beyond a challenging event or diagnosis, such as cancer. More specifically, it marks the period after treatment where a patient goes from merely surviving to thriving, as they navigate their newfound lease on life.
It’s important to remember that survivorship isn’t just an end state – it’s a continuous journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.”
It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.
Being a survivor also means redefining your life while coping with the aftermath of disease and its treatment. This phase might include the challenge of dealing with physical and emotional changes, attending regular check-ups, the fear of recurrence, or the need for long-term medication. Despite these hurdles, many survivors find unique strength, growth, and transformation during this time.
Survivorship is much more than just the absence of disease—it’s a new stage of life, a rite of passage. Your journey might not have been one you would have chosen, but through it, you’ll uncover a greater understanding of yourself and what you’re capable of. Each person’s survivorship journey is unique, and how you choose to travel is entirely up to you.
Remember—navigating this new terrain called ‘Survivorship’. It might be challenging, but remember, you’re not alone. There are ample resources and support systems designed to help you along the way.
Continued Medical Care
Don’t lose sight of the importance of continued medical care – always keep your follow-up appointments and adhere to any healthcare recommendations.
Remember, embracing these coping strategies can help you navigate your way into survivorship with greater ease and renewed energy. Just remember – slow and steady wins the race! You’ve overcome huge hurdles, it’s okay to take this new stage of your life at your own pace.
Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle
Additionally, health checkups are an integral part of maintaining wellness and spotting potential health issues early. This holds true for everyone, but even more so for a person who’s in the throes of survivorship.
One of the primary reasons for maintaining routine health checks is to monitor for recurrence. While the hope is always for complete recovery, there’s a possibility of the disease returning—even with successful treatment. Regular checkups allow you to keep a vigilant eye on the situation, leading to early detection and treatment if any problem emerges.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
