Today we begin a series called “Surviving Cancer”. This weekly feature will chronicle the experiences of a breast cancer survivor who has volunteered to share her story with the public.
While her identity would not be revealed, the writer will give a candid account of what it’s like living with breast cancer, as well as a word of advice to those who have been diagnosed with the disease.

The writer is an alumnus of The Bishops’ High School, and holds a BSc in International Relations from the University of Guyana.
THIS is not the kind of journey one hopes to make ever in one’s lifetime, but it’s said that sometimes we choose the battles, and sometimes the battles choose us.

So here I am, a chosen one; not hand selected like Harry or Neo, but chosen to join some 1,074 brave women living with Breast Cancer in Guyana.

My story is just another thread in the magnificent and maleficent web woven by cancer globally, and yet I hope that sharing my experiences, tiny in the general sphere of things but tremendous to one person, will help others diagnosed with cancer and their families find strength in our shared struggle, and to remind everyone that cancer may be a minute away from affecting you (or someone you love) if you are not proactively making healthy choices.

STRICTLY ACADEMIC
I’m not trying to give anyone medical advice; any medical information shared is strictly for your academic knowledge, and is only meant to educate rather than instruct; to be used for reference when discussing your own situation with your doctor, as each woman is different, and no two cancer cases may be alike.
I hope that in sharing my experiences I can make someone else’s journey a bit smoother.
It’s no secret that I have breast cancer. I have a wonderful support group of family and friends, but it’s not important to know my name. It could be Mary, it could be Jane. It could be Bibi; it could be your mom, your aunt, your sister. It could be any one; it could even be you, because if there’s one thing about breast cancer, it is that IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.
I am not married. I do not have children. I haven’t even hit the ‘dirty thirties’. So, when in 2014 I felt a marble-sized lump in my right breast, I visited a Cuban doctor and was diagnosed as having a “Fibroadenoma”.

JUST A CYST
She advised me that it was nothing to worry about, unless it became painful or grew larger; that I shouldn’t be alarmed, as it was a very common cyst among women in my age group (I was 27 at time).
Whew! Sounds great to me! Thanks Doc! But of course you know I rushed home to Google that Fibro-ad-some word. Note: So says the person who can say supercalifragilisticexpialidoshious without missing a beat, but is reduced to spittle to this day when saying Fibroadenoma.

The following is taken from a few online medical dictionaries, and should give you an idea why I was not alarmed by the cyst, and why I didn’t get a second opinion, which I should have done.
Remember: Question EVERYTHING, and ALWAYS get a second opinion:
1: Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors commonly found in young women. Fibroadenoma means “a tumor composed of glandular (related to gland) and fibrous (containing fibers) tissues.”
2: Breast fibroadenomas, abnormal growths of glandular and fibrous tissues, are most common between the ages of 15 and 30, and are found in 10% of all women (20% of African-American women).
They are found rarely in post-menopausal women. I would share Guyana’s ‘stats’, but currently, there is no research available.

3: Described as feeling like marbles, these firm, round, movable, and “rubbery” lumps range from 1-5 cm in size.
Giant fibroadenomas are larger, lemon-sized lumps. Usually single, from 10-15% of women have more than one.

4: While some types of breast lumps come and go during the menstrual cycle, fibroadenomas typically do not disappear after a woman’s period, and should be checked by a doctor.

CAUSE UNKNOWN
The cause of breast fibroadenomas is unknown. They may be dependent upon estrogen, because they are common in premenopausal women; can be found in postmenopausal women taking estrogen; and because they grow larger in pregnant women.
Fibroadenomas usually cause no symptoms, and may be discovered during breast self-examination or during a routine check-up.

The doctor asked me when I discovered the lump, and about my family history. I had found the lump about two months before visiting her, and my genealogical information wasn’t too helpful in painting a better picture of what I should expect medically.
I did an ultra-sound at the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, but here are a few of the diagnostic tests that your doctor may ask for:
• Mammogram: An x-ray examination of the breast.
• Ultrasound scan: A technique that uses sound waves to display a two-dimensional image of the breast, showing whether a lump is solid or fluid-filled (cystic).
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A minor procedure wherein fluid or cells are drawn out of the lump through a small needle (aspirated).
• Core biopsy: A procedure wherein a larger piece of tissue is withdrawn from the lump through a larger needle.
• Incisional biopsy: A surgical procedure wherein a piece of the lump is removed through a cut (incision).
• Excisional biopsy: A surgical procedure wherein the entire lump is removed through a cut (incision).

TREATMENT
Fibroadenomas are removed by lumpectomy or surgical excision under local or general anesthesia. Surgery is generally recommended for women over 30 and for lumps that are painful or enlarging. Alternative treatments include a low-fat, high-fibre vegetarian-type diet; a reduction in caffeine intake; supplementation with evening primrose oil, flax oil, or fish oil and Vitamins E & C; and the application of hot compresses to the breast.

In addition, a focus on liver cleansing is important to assist the body in the conjugation and elimination of excess estrogen. Botanical remedies can be useful in hormone balancing, as can acupuncture and homeopathy.

DEALING WITH NIS
The National Insurance Scheme’s medical plan covers some of the costs of diagnosing and treating fibroadenonmas/cysts. It is important to distinguish between medical benefits and sickness benefits if you are not seeking both.
Sickness, as I understand it, refers to the days that you missed work due to being ill, and as such you are compensated for days missed (if eligible by NIS). Medical, on the other hand, refers to the costs of your care (doctor’s fees, exams, medications), as long as you have enough contributions in the system.

My claim at one time was held up for processing because the Scheme thought I was asking for a sickness benefit (I was unemployed at the time), when I was only trying to get reimbursement on my medical bills. So it is important that you state specifically which benefit you are seeking, or alas! Your claim may be in processing for a few months (as was mine) because of such technicalities.

Here’s a tip: Always take the name of the officers with whom you speak should you have a query, so that the next time you call, that officer would have been familiar with your situation. This, in itself, will save you lots of grief from having to repeat yourself over and over and over again.

I generally do this everywhere that I call for information, because I think when people know their names are at stake, there is some amount of accountability to provide you with the correct information that may not have been there before.

LOOKING BACK
In retrospect, I would have done a few things differently: I would have gotten a second opinion and/or a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to determine it was indeed just fibroadenonoma.
But given my age, what else could it be? I relaxed and continued on with my normal life in GT. I attended my 8-4 job daily; had bacon-filled sandwiches for breakfast; a ‘dutty chiney’ for lunch; frozen margaritas on Fridays; and, like the conspiracy theories I’m often fascinated by, my own DNA was conspiring against me.

It was mutating a gene fault rapidly, multiple times, replicating this code throughout my blood.
And I slowly sauntered over to help my friends set up tents for our outdoor excursions, clueless that a war had been declared on my body.

**To be continued next week.