How an Annual Mammogram May Have Saved a Woman’s Life

Ann Micacci is a 53-12 months-aged authentic estate agent who life in Southington with her partner and 3 small children. She has no spouse and children historical past of cancer, no genetic markers for most cancers. She does not consume or smoke, eats wholesome food items and exercises. She could be the poster girl for someone who thinks, “I never have to have to have an once-a-year mammogram. I’m not at hazard for breast most cancers.”

And yet…

Ann’s mammogram in June 2021 showed some microcalcifications in her remaining breast. The radiologist requested far more visuals, and immediately after that Ann had a biopsy and an MRI of her total upper body ahead of assembly with Camelia Lawrence, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon at Midstate Healthcare Center and The Clinic of Central Connecticut, and director of the Breast Surgical Program at equally hospitals.

“At the appointment with Dr. Lawrence, the radiologist stated, ‘So we are speaking about the ideal breast,’ and Dr. Lawrence mentioned ‘No, it’s the left breast.’” Ann recalled. “Well, thank God for radiologists, due to the fact there had been cells in my appropriate breast as properly.”

Ann was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in her still left breast, also recognized as stage breast most cancers. In her appropriate breast she was diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, a precancerous situation that influences cells in the breast.

Ann had a lumpectomy in her suitable breast, and in her still left breast, the pre-cancerous cells were taken out in a treatment known as an excision.

Breast Cancer Patient Story
Dr. Camelia Lawrence and Ann Micacci

Four months of radiation on her left breast completed her system of treatment. Ann will take anastrozole, an anti-estrogen treatment, for five years.

“When you first get that prognosis, that you have cancer, it’s scary,” Ann reported. “My youngsters are older, I have two in college and one in substantial university, but they still will need you. When all this started out, I showed Dr. Lawrence a photo of my children and I explained, ‘This is what I’m fighting for.’ ”

Even with no heritage or danger aspect for most cancers, Ann was often positive to schedule her mammogram each and every year. The scan she had in 2020 was obvious, and then in 2021, the purple flags were lifted.

“It was a little something I usually did simply because I normally comply with excellent well being methods,” she stated. “It was hardly ever a question for me, I just often got my mammogram.”

Dr. Lawrence reported the vast majority of women of all ages – 75 to 80 per cent – identified with breast most cancers have no household history or chance elements.

“Until we can identify a cure for breast most cancers, early detection is the critical,” the health care provider explained. “Ann was meticulous about acquiring her mammograms, and so we caught her cancer at the earliest possible stage. She has an excellent prognosis. But the majority of individuals I see are not Ann. They are at a more advanced phase.”

Ann is now vocal with her female close friends about their need to have an yearly mammogram. Just one mate described that her mammogram was canceled early in 2020 for the reason that of COVID, and she experienced never ever gotten all-around to rescheduling it.

“I claimed, ‘You have to go,’ and I wouldn’t cease,” Ann explained. “So she lastly scheduled one and she experienced cancer! She had a double mastectomy.”

“Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “You have to get your mammogram. If it will save your everyday living, it’s well worth it, proper?”