Advocating for Your Health
- Actress Ali Bastian, 42, most known for her appearance on the long-running English soap opera Hollyoaks, is sharing about her stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, urging women to be more aware of their breast health. Finding her lump while breastfeeding, the mom of two initially assumed it was a blocked milk duct.
- Luckily, Bastian had the sense to get it checked when the situation was not improving and advocated for her health. Thankfully, her doctor was supportive and respected her sense, but it is important to know that every medical professional is different and sometimes patients will be met with resistance. Always remember, you know your own body better than anyone.
- In between breast cancer screenings with your provider, it’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms like change in the size, shape or appearance of the breast, an inverted nipple, dimpling, and of course, a breast lump of any size. Having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have breast cancer, but always speak with a doctor promptly if anything ever feels off or you’re experiencing any of the signs listed above.
Luckily, she had the sense to get it checked when the situation was not improving.
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Taking care of her mental health as best she can as she navigates life moving forward, Bastian said she is seeing a psychologist who specializes in oncology, which focuses on the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer. So far, further details of her diagnosis are unclear.
‘Age-Appropriate’ Explanation to Her Young Girls
As for sharing with her daughters Isabella and Isla, who are just 19 months and four, Bastian is doing her best to give an “age-appropriate version” of her diagnosis (mainly to Isla), explaining a “pain in her boob” that she needs some “strong medicine” for to make her better, which is essentially what is happening.
She sweetly added that mommy will have a “crazy haircut for a bit” and noted that she might be tired.
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“I will get through this and come out the other side,” she determined, driven to get back to her acting jobs. “I really miss it.”
Advocating for Your Health
Whether you are currently battling cancer or worried that you might have it, it’s always important to advocate for your health. Cancer is an incredibly serious disease, and you have every right to insist that your doctors investigate any possible signs of cancer.
“Every appointment you leave as a patient, there should be a plan for what the doc is going to do for you, and if that doesn’t work, what the next plan is,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “And I think that that’s totally fair. And me as a health professional that’s what I do for all of my patients.”
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, April Knowles explained how she became a breast cancer advocate after her doctor dismissed the lump in her breast as a side effect of her menstrual period. Unfortunately, that dismissal was a mistake. Knowles was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at age 39. She said the experience taught her the importance of listening to her body and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
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“I wanted my doctor to like me,” she said. “I think women, especially young women, are really used to being dismissed by their doctors.”
Figuring out whether or not you actually have cancer based on possible symptoms is critical because early detection may help with treatment and outcomes. Seeking multiple opinions is one way to ensure you’re getting the care and attention you need.
Another thing to remember is that not all doctors are in agreement. Recommendations for further testing or treatment options can vary, and sometimes it’s essential to talk with multiple medical professionals.
Being Aware of Your Breast Health
It’s important to do self-exams on your breasts in between annual mammogram screenings. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
- Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
- A newly inverted nipple
- Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
- Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
It’s important to keep an eye out for these symptoms while remembering that having one or many of them does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Regardless, you should always speak with a doctor promptly if anything ever feels off or you’re experiencing one or more of the signs listed above.
WATCH: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women start screening for breast cancer at age 40, with follow-ups every other year, but more frequently if you have a higher risk of breast cancer.
A woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer such as a BRCA gene mutation or a medical history including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. Beyond genetics, family history and experience with radiation therapy, 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 for developing breast cancer, speak with your doctor about screening earlier, as more and more women are getting diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age.
Processing a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
SurvivorNet’s medical experts explain that it would be very out of the ordinary if you weren’t scared after a diagnosis. Anxiety and fear are totally normal reactions to the news that you have breast cancer. Acknowledging these emotions can be therapeutic and important to the healing process.
So how do you confront your fears without letting them take over entirely?
- Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronical your different thoughts throughout the day.
- Join a cancer support group. There are groups in nearly every community offering opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn incredibly helpful insight from others who can tell you about what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Above all, just know that there are countless resources and support here for you to turn to at any time. Here is SurvivorNet’s breast cancer guide to help inform you in between your visits. Hopefully this will help spark some of the many questions you will have for your doctor.
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