I've had the following article bookmarked for almost two months. I was waiting for June to share it. Why? 20 years ago, June 1995, I received my diagnosis of DCIS. DCIS is ductal carcinoma in situ, a pre-cancerous or non-invasive cancerous lesion of the breast. One website I recently visited states that some doctors don't even classify DCIS as breast cancer.
The reason I’m sharing this is I never got a second opinion, and I should have. Given what I know now, I may not have had to have gone through the treatments I did if I had sought out a second opinion. I try to keep in mind it was 20 years ago and we only knew a fraction of what we know now, but maybe if I had found a doctor that knew just a little more it would have been different.
This goes both ways. I’ve talked to several women over the years that were told by one doctor they would be dead within a year, but got a second opinion and are living well beyond that year.
Please, take the time to read this article. If you, or anyone you know, is diagnosed, please have them seek a second opinion or even a third. Thanks.
Rita Wilson Has Breast Cancer, Undergoes Double Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery
BY ELIZABETH LEONARD
04/14/2015 AT 08:30 AM EDT
Rita Wilson is sharing some difficult and very personal news: she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, the actress, 58, reveals the diagnosis and how she feels "blessed" to have the love and support of her husband, Tom Hanks, friends, family and the doctors who saved her life.
"I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue," reveals Wilson, who will return to the Broadway play on May 5. "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.
"I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.
"However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and 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. 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.
"I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health.
"I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn't 'feel' right."
The reason I’m sharing this is I never got a second opinion, and I should have. Given what I know now, I may not have had to have gone through the treatments I did if I had sought out a second opinion. I try to keep in mind it was 20 years ago and we only knew a fraction of what we know now, but maybe if I had found a doctor that knew just a little more it would have been different.
This goes both ways. I’ve talked to several women over the years that were told by one doctor they would be dead within a year, but got a second opinion and are living well beyond that year.
Please, take the time to read this article. If you, or anyone you know, is diagnosed, please have them seek a second opinion or even a third. Thanks.
Rita Wilson Has Breast Cancer, Undergoes Double Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery
BY ELIZABETH LEONARD
04/14/2015 AT 08:30 AM EDT
Rita Wilson is sharing some difficult and very personal news: she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, the actress, 58, reveals the diagnosis and how she feels "blessed" to have the love and support of her husband, Tom Hanks, friends, family and the doctors who saved her life.
"I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue," reveals Wilson, who will return to the Broadway play on May 5. "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.
"I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.
"However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and 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. 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.
"I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health.
"I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn't 'feel' right."
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