Optimistic Model Celebrates Through Breast Cancer Journey
- Model Sophie Blake, 49, has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, and her latest PET scan revealed some exciting news, so she’s celebrating!
- Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
- Women ages 45 to 54 with an average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms annually.
Read MorePET scan results day…I'm stable! No new areas of cancer detected & no growths in the metastasised areas, meaning that the current line of treatment is working 🎉.It's very early days but I'll take this as fantastic news. I've been celebrating in style with my mum ðŸ˜ðŸ¥³ðŸ¥‚ pic.twitter.com/W9BNfNJwGs
— Sophie Blake (@sophieRblake) August 8, 2022
She continues, saying, “I've kept myself so busy as a distraction over the last week, so I'm now going to put my feet up this afternoon & relax with [my daughter] Maya . I have three months to go until my next PET scan which will be a regular ongoing part of my cancer treatment.”
Blake sums up her powerful view of cancer, writing, “I've decided to look at Stage 4 as a life long chronic condition which isn't curable (yet!), but is treatable. No one knows what's around the corner, but I'll take the positives of today & I will run with it! And again, thank you so much for all of your support! X”
I've decided to look at Stage 4 as a life long chronic condition which isn't curable (yet!), but is treatable. No one knows what's around the corner, but I'll take the positives of today & I will run with it! And again, thank you so much for all of your support! Xâ¤ï¸ðŸ¥°ðŸ˜˜
— Sophie Blake (@sophieRblake) August 8, 2022
Sophie Blake’s Breast Cancer & Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Blake has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for breast cancer can include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
Blake has shared parts of her cancer story on Instagram. In one post, she writes, about the health challenges she has undergone. She says, “As many of you know, eleven years ago I had a hysterectomy due to Ashermans Syndrome (uterine scarring). The scaring caused placenta previa when I was 17 weeks pregnant which resulted in me losing my baby and almost dying. After numerous operations to try to remove the scarring which didn't work, I continued to be in constant pain and discomfort. I was also told that I might not survive another pregnancy. Eventually it was decided that a hysterectomy was the best option. It was emotionally really hard to lose my uterus and I grieved for the loss of what might have been, but it was a massive relief to be pain free.”
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Blake continues, “At the time I was advised to keep my ovaries so as not to go through the menopause at 38, which I was really happy to do. Unfortunately, those same ovaries have now been feeding my hormonal positive cancer with estrogen and progesterone. The previous hormone blockers I was on for 15 months didn't work, so today I had a oophorectomy to remove them, along with my fallopian tubes (although they couldn't find the left one!).”
Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatments To Consider
Screening for Breast Cancer
Mammograms are the screening tool for detecting breast cancer and early signs of cancer in the breast tissue. When it comes to breast cancer, mammograms save lives. Early detection is critically important and it can mean broader treatment options as well. Women ages 45 to 54 with an average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms annually.
For women with an elevated risk of breast cancer this means they either have a history of breast cancer in the family or they have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation they should begin screening even earlier, before age 45.
While getting a mammogram, ask about dense breasts, which may obscure cancer. The technician will be able to do determine whether or not you have dense breasts.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
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