Pondering the Myths & Mathematics of Breast Cancer

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Statistics

About 155,00 women are living with metastatic breast cancer in the United States and this is projected to rise to 162,000 by 2011 according to Dr. William Gradishar, Director of Breast Oncology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. source: Reach MD interview 2010

In developed countries, nearly 30 % of women with early stage breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic breast cancer. (O’Shaughnessy J. Extending Survival With Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer The Oncologist.2005; 10 (suppl 3): 20-9)

In 2008, almost 49,000 Americans, including 1,990 men, were diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. (American Cancer Society - 2008 Statistics)

98 percent of patients with breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast live five years or more, while only 27 percent of patients whose cancer has spread to other organs survive five years.
(Komen website Jan 2010)

Median survival after diagnosis is three years. There has been no statistically significant improvement in the past twenty years. (American Society of Clinical Oncology [ASCO] Report - 2008)

Despite the decrease in cancer mortality rates since 1990, the actual number of Americans losing their battle with the disease has hovered around 40,000 each year since at least the year 2000.

(American Cancer Society statistics 2000 - 2008)

This translates to one death from metastatic breast cancer every 14 minutes.

The Myths...

Below are, reportedly, a few of the myths that still persist about metastatic breast cancer:

Myth: Research funding is well balanced for all stages of cancer

Reality: 90% of cancer deaths result from stage IV cancer, but only 2% of research funds are devoted to stage IV.

Myth: Metastatic breast cancer is rare

Reality: 30% of breast cancer patients progress to stage IV. Many more initially present with metastatic breast cancer.

Myth: Healthy lifestyles, timely screening and early detection prevent metastasis

Reality: Metastasis happens despite vigilance and precautions. Even stage I patients can and do metastasize.

Myth: Metastatic breast cancer is becoming a chronic disease. Fewer die every year

Reality: New treatments extend life for some, but survival remains elusive. Over 40,000 women and men have been dying annually since 1987.

Myth: Stage IV breast cancer patients are well supported by many groups

Reality: Far too many patients must face their challenges with little to no support. Most programs focus on wellness and recovery, avoiding any reference to stage IV.

And now for the good news...

Statistics can be frightening… and some statistics may not even be applicable to an individual and their specific type of cancer, or their particular response to treatment.

Many statistics represent an average number. Not everyone falls into that average.

Each of us is a statistic of ONE.

Check out: http://mbcnetwork.org/

Enriching the Vocab

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Axillary lymph nodes glands in the armpit that fight harmful invaders such as bacteria. The presence of breast cancer cells in these lymph nodes generally indicates that cancer is more likely to spread elsewhere in the body.

Axillary lymph node dissection Surgical removal of lymph nodes in the armpit area

Invasive cancer Cancers that are capable of going beyond their site of origin and invading neighboring tissue

Lymph nodes Glands found throughout the body that fight harmful invaders such as bacteria. The presence of cancer cells in lymph nodes adjacent to a primary tumor generally indicates that cancer is more likely to spread elsewhere in the body.

Lymphedema Swelling of arm that can follow axillary node removal as part of breast cancer surgery. It can be temporary or permanent and occur immediately or any time after.

Metastasis Spread of cancer to an organ beyond the location in which it originated

Radiation therapy Treatment with high-energy rays (X-rays) to kill cancer cells

Rock and a Hard Place...

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I find this song running through my head constantly this week,
as I consider this next stage's options...
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(M. Jagger/K. Richards)

The fields of Eden
Are full of trash
And if we beg and we borrow and steal
We'll never get it back
People are hungry
They crowd around
And the city gets bigger as the country comes begging to town


We're stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place

This talk of freedom
And human rights
Means bullying and private wars and chucking all the dust into our eyes
And peasant people
Poorer than dirt
Who are caught in the crossfire with nothing to lose but their shirts

Stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place

You'd better stop put on a kind face
Between a rock and a hard place

We're in the same boat
On the same sea
And we're sailing south
On the same breeze
building dream churches
With silver spires
And our rogue children
Are playing loaded dice

Give me truth now
Don't want no sham
I'd be hung drawn and quartered for a sheep just as well as a lamb

Stuck between a rock
And a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place
You'd better stop
Put on a kind face
Can't you see what you've done to me

Time Out for a Tantrum

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I know that positive thinking is the mantra.
I know that the universe sets the kibosh on us when we ooze out negative energy into its folds.
I know that I am a grown up and should be past the tantrum stage.
But…sometimes…you…just…have…to…SCREAM! And, maybe even STOMP a foot!

In fact, I feel that I NEED to have a TANTRUM so that I can break out of the malaise that is suffocating me right now.

I have not told anyone in my family  - aside from Husband, about the new information and the choices it is now demanding.

WHY no kids? Well, my 21 year old is making us crazy with her homework and “senior” apprehensions. My usual affectionate 19 year old has become quite moody this summer, and I find that at times instead of the sensation of hugs I am wiping off disdain and sarcasm from my shoulders. My 10 year old discovered how irrelevant parental units are to his immediate universe, with his first stint at sleep-away camp. To be candid, I am afraid of how the kids are going to react. At this round, at 10 years old my son understands disease more. I am afraid that my 19 year old will distance herself more from me if she knows. (She withdrew quite a bit during round #1 in 2009.) My 21 year old, she is volatile with her emotions, and…well, her pragmatism sometimes has a bite to it.

WHY no grown siblings? My eldest sister’s birthday was this week, and she is exhausted with moving my niece into new college housing, travelling across country and satisfying every one's "need" to spend time with her. My middle sister – well, I have not been able to see her in two years and I only get her for 20 waking hours this weekend. I would rather hear about her finally being able to fulfill her dream of going back to grad school. My younger brother – I have not seen him in 7 years. I know nothing about his life these days. Hi bro, long time no see, btw… no, not cool. Besides, these siblings did not come into my life till I was 11 years old, and at times I am still feeling my around with them in defining my “role in the club.” I don't want to lay something so heavy into the mix when my membership card has yet to be laminated.

WHY no parents? Mom is very emotional and I end up reverting back to my caretaker role with her – a throw back from childhood when she and I were the sole family unit. And, today is her birthday. Happy 74^th birthday Mom…btw…nope, not going to happen.

Am I a coward? Probably. Am I being selfish? Absolutely. Having to accept everyone’s reactions, questions, demeanors – makes it all too overwhelming. I find it hard enough accepting or dealing with myself most days.

SCREAMING into the void of the virtual world? Now that is safe.

Which conjures up a random thought: If you write and nobody reads, have you actually said anything?