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Breast Cancer survivors have power by Kari Ashcroft the Carillon Hillary Craig: A Survivor's Story One day several years ago, Hillary Craig's husband noticed a lump in her left breast. Craig didn't take it very seriously, but she did go to her family physician. Things started happening very quickly after that, from a needle biopsy to a mammography to a lumpectomy, and finally a mastectomy. Craig, a fourth year social work student, had breast cancer. Craig's husband went to the library to get books on breast cancer. Craig herself got humor books. She called upon acquaintances who had breast cancer for support. She sought counseling. "I had to say good-bye to my breast. I had to grieve for it." But Craig's ordeal was not over. She had to undergo six months of chemotherapy, a debilitating and exhausting process. "I had total energy drain," Craig says. "I had planned to work, but I was just unable." Craig also went through instant menopause, and suffered sore throats, nausea, and hair loss. Breast cancer had much more effect on Craig than just physical. She considers herself lucky to have had such an accepting husband, but the cancer did have incredible emotional effect upon her life and her family. Craig's daughter, Elaine Thompson, was twenty one when her mother was diagnosed. She was a second year biology student at the U of R. "My mother and I had a volatile relationship at the time, and discovering my mother had breast cancer filled me with so much fear," she says. Thompson's marks went down because of lack of concentration, and she started doing "stupid things". Discussing the issues of her mother's illness was difficult. Facing the fact that her mother might die had an extreme emotional impact on her. "My relationship with my boyfriend fell apart, and even that seemed inconsequential compared to knowing how ill my mother was." Even since her mother's recovery, Thompson still faces a lot of issues. "I can't get life insurance because of the history of breast cancer in my family," she notes. And when she discovered a lump in her own breast last year she was terrified. "I went straight to my doctor, and was told the lump was nothing serious. I received no help from the medical establishment" Craig, meanwhile, has learned a great deal from her illness, and feels she has a new lease on life. "I knew a lot of breast cancer survivors, so I didn't worry about imminent death," she notes. "I found support in family and friends, and planned out each day so I could focus on one thing, something that would make me happy." Craig finalized her slow recovery process with a ritual - a party to celebrate her fiftieth birthday and her re-joining of the "well world". "I acknowledged all the people who had supported me, and told them about all I'd learned. I gave awards to those who had done something special to assist in my recovery." Craig not only developed personally during this experience, but also began to become involved in breast cancer activism. She started with the Write Now campaign to the federal government, encouraging them to give more attention to the tragedy of breast cancer. Then Craig became involved in planning the National Forum on Breast Cancer, and finally became the founding president of Breast Cancer Action Saskatchewan. Through all of her trials and tribulations, Craig learned some important things. Firstly, she wants all people to know that diagnosis with breast cancer does not mean a death sentence. Treatment often allows for a return to normal life, especially if diagnosed early. Most of all though, Craig wants people to know that out of the chaos of her illness, she found many opportunities to improve herself and the world. She wishes all people would remember to search for the good that comes in all terrible events. Breast Cancer Gets Attention October is Breast Cancer month, and issues surrounding the topic are making a big splash. The Globe & Mail recently published a whole section on breast cancer, and department stores, cosmetics companies, and other businesses are getting involved with 'Pink Ribbon' campaigns, jewelry, and other products from which proceeds will go to research and support for victims of Breast Cancer. Regina has not been left out. A provincial survivors and support group organized a walk on Sunday, October 5th in Wascana Park. Breast Cancer Action Saskatchewan (BCAS) is a survivor-driven, non-profit, grass-roots organization dedicated to making the lives of Saskatchewan breast cancer patients and survivors and their family and friends more manageable. BCAS held the walk to raise funds for their activities. "The final numbers aren't in, but we raised over $20,000," says Hilary Craig, who helped co-ordinate the walk. Over 350 people attended, including local politicians and other luminaries. A memorial board was also posted, listing names of breast cancer victims. After the walk an extremely successful brunch was served. "It's something we're going to keep doing. We could have sold another thirty or forty tickets, and it was great to have survivors and families from all over Saskatchewan there," says Craig. But possibly the most interesting part of the walk was a group of women wearing "Amazon" t-shirts. These women are breast cancer survivors, and have all had single or double mastectomies. They all went without their breast prosthesis, an unusual event. "We don't often come out of the closet, so it was fun to do it!" claims Craig. The women referred to themselves as Amazons, a word used to describe a race of female warriors. The word is Greek, and derives from a (not) and mazos (breast). Amazon warriors removed their right breasts to facilitate the use of a bow. So the walk was a great success, and other events are winding down (although some companies like Avon and Alia have year-round fund-raising projects to support breast cancer), but just because Breast Cancer Month is almost over, doesn't mean Craig's work is over. BCAS works continuously in breast cancer education and works in conjunction with various health departments and cancer groups to provide literature and resources to breast cancer patients. With improving technology the diagnosis of breast cancer is not necessarily a death sentence, rather it is producing more survivors and warriors. |
Breast screening is helpful... ...but women must ensure that they have healthy breasts by Kari Ashcroft the Carillon Statistics can be Scary Breast cancer statistics released by Health Canada should make every person stand up and take notice. Not only women need to know, but the men who are their husbands, fathers and friends. These people need to know that breast cancer is the leading killer of women between thirty-five and fifty-five years old. This is right in the middle of a family's childbearing years, right when the climb to the top at the office is starting to show some progress, right when women feel they are accomplishing some of life's main goals. The incidents of breast cancer are on the rise. In North America, the rate has risen 1.7% every year. The only faster growing incidence of cancer in women is lung cancer. In fact, according to the Canadian Cancer Statistics released in 1993, the lifetime probability of a Canadian woman developing breast cancer is 10.7. In other words, about one in nine women will develop breast cancer over their lifetime. As with all cancers, scientists cannot pinpoint exactly what causes breast cancer, but they do know which factors can make a person more likely to develop the disease. High fat diets seem to increase the risk, as does a family history of breast cancer. New research is being done that links abortions with increased risk of developing breast cancer. Dr. Janet Paling, a pro-choice scientist, recently published some shocking statistics in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute." Women who have an induced abortion before the age of eighteen increase their risk factor by 150%. Women over the age of thirty who abort their first pregnancy increase their risk by 110%. Overall, women who have induced abortions increase their risk by 50%. This is a little-known fact, and so far in North America, only one US state has made it law to inform abortion candidates of the link between abortion and breast cancer. But there is not all bad news. Early detection has recently led to survival rates of greater than 80%. Previous fears that the birth control pill contributed to the risk factor have now been proven to be unfounded. Diagnosis of breast cancer has become far more sophisticated as well. Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Digital Mammography, which displays an image on a high resolution screen, are being studied as possible diagnostic tools. Needle biopsies are being more commonly used, which can prevent unnecessary surgery if the lump can be diagnosed as benign. Research is progressing continually on treatment, and possibly a cure. Canada leads the world in several of these areas. Genetics are being studied, to find familial links between victims of the disease. Immunotherapy is progressing, and soon doctors will be able to use a patient's own white cells to fight the cancer. New drugs have been developed to fight the tumors. Femara is one of these. Patients and doctors from all over Canada were instrumental in the world-wide development of this new estrogen-reducing drug. By preventing the release of estrogen, many tumors are slowed in their progress or even shrunk. This new drug may save many patients a lot of agony, as more conventional methods of cancer treatment have terribly difficult side-effects, including nausea, hair loss, weakness, and general listlessness. So the research continues, but the progress, as with any medical development, is very slow. Yet current cancer patients are enjoying some of these benefits, and the patients of tomorrow may be able to face breast cancer with a lot less fear. Screening gets 'A' rating Women who participate in screening after the age of fifty have a 30 - 40% reduction in mortality rates from breast cancer. Not only that, but the size of lumps detected are incredibly small, often less than one centimeter. This means fewer mastectomies (amputation of the breast), fewer cases of other parts of the body being involved, and often a complete cure. Anita Chorneyko, Manager of Medical Imaging for the Screening Program for Breast Cancer, is pleased with the success of the program. "Out of every 1000 screenings, we detect seven cancers. That's a lot of people who could be cured." Currently, the screening program is available only to women over fifty. Those younger should discuss their concerns with their family doctor, and may be sent for a diagnostic mammography. "But to be honest, technology is helpful, but women are still the primary discoverer's of their own lumps. Women play a huge role in ensuring they have healthy breasts," says Chorneyko. "If I could say one thing to young women," she continues, "It would be to do their monthly Breast Self-Examinations (BSE). It's never too early to start!" Professionals claim that women should start doing BSE's every month while still in their teens. "Getting to know your breast tissue, and getting to know what is normal for you will help you spot an unusual lump. Your breasts are constantly changing, as estrogen levels fluctuate. With regular BSE's, you could be more likely to notice abnormal tissues," comments Chorneyko. Tammy Trudgeon, co-coordinator at the Women's Centre, is also interested in informing young women about BSE's. "We're planning on having a noon-hour seminar sometime in November," she says. The Women's Centre currently has a video called "BSE For Teens" that shows young women performing BSE, and gives hints on the proper technique. Trudgeon welcomes all to view the video at any time they want. Breast cancer in young women is extremely rare, but it does happen. "I want women to know that they CAN get breast cancer when they're 23, and I want them to know how to find it early." Chorneyko says that in most cases of breast cancer in young women, the spread of the disease is very fast, so early detection is key to treatment. Alternative therapies are also being investigated. Some patients have claimed relief from their symptoms with non-traditional methods like vitamin supplements, extracts from a species of mistletoe, green tea, and herbal supplements. A French-born scientist is developing a therapy called 714-X in his Quebec laboratory. It is a camphor base that has been chemically combined with nitrogen as well as other substances. It's currently available only as an 'Emergency Drug', released only on compassionate grounds. As development of this and other therapies continues, herbal remedies may soon be a regular part of breast cancer treatment. If young women are still uncomfortable with doing BSE's, there are many places to turn for help. The Canadian Cancer Society, libraries, medical offices, and drug stores have lots of information on technique. Don't feel silly about touching your breasts. You could not only save your own life, but could prevent making your future children orphans. |