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Catch Breast Cancer Early
with Regular Screenings
One woman's diligence and a physician's expertise prove to be
strong weapons in the fight against breast cancer.
Diligence, diligence, diligence.
For Jacqueline Sassi of Old
Bridge, this became her mantra
after 2000, when a baseline mammogram
showed slight calcification of her left
breast. For the next six years, she monitored
the situation without incident. She
performed breast self-exams, and received
clinical breast exams and mammograms.
It was a good thing she did. In
November 2006, a routine mammogram
caught something suspicious. A follow-up
ultrasound showed that her right breast
was affected. Six months later, a follow-up
diagnostic showed another change and
she was advised to see a breast surgeon.
Jacqueline chose the highly recommended
Walter Hayne, M.D., a breast surgeon
affiliated with Riverview Medical Center.
Taking Care of Business
Dr. Hayne got right to work, sending
Jacqueline for a minimally invasive
stereotactic biopsy. When that test did
not give him satisfactory results, he
opted to do a surgical biopsy and
breast MRI.
"Breast MRI is now recommended
by the American Cancer Society for
women who are at high risk for breast
cancer, particularly those with a strong
family history of breast cancer or a
genetic predisposition to the disease,"
explains Dr. Hayne. "While Jacqueline
did not have a family history of breast
cancer, she did have dense or 'busy'
breasts. Breast MRI also can be a useful
screening option for diagnosing women
like Jacqueline."
The test showed cancerous tissue in
Jacqueline's right breast and a benign tumor
in her left breast.
On July 3, 2007, Jacqueline had a bilateral
mastectomy. "I have always thought
that if I was ever diagnosed with breast cancer,
I would have them take both breasts,"
Jacqueline says. "When it came time for
the surgery, it was a scary decision — but it
was the absolute right decision for me."
Depending on the stage of the breast
cancer and how far it has spread, a surgeon
also may suggest a sentinel lymph node
biopsy to see if the cancer has spread to the
lymph nodes.
In Jacqueline's case, the biopsy showed
that the cancer had spread, so she underwent
axillary node surgery, followed by
chemotherapy and radiation therapy with
cancer specialists affiliated with the Booker
Cancer Center at Riverview.
A Direct Approach
"I brought my film when I first met
with Dr. Hayne," Jacqueline recalls.
"I don't know what I was expecting,
but I was truly shocked when he told
me he believed I had breast cancer.
He was so frank that I was a bit
taken aback."
Jacqueline soon realized that
Dr. Hayne's direct approach was
exactly what she needed. "Dr. Hayne
was so accurate, honest, and open
about my disease, my care, and
my options," she says. "He even
supported my decision to get a
second opinion at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,
where they agreed completely
with all his findings.
"I have had all my cancer treatment
at Riverview," Jacqueline says.
"I really feel like I found a great
team of doctors at Riverview. I
wouldn't go anywhere else."
 – Tria Deibert
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The Little Pink Book. This girl's guide to breast
health is jam-packed with valuable information
you can use to keep yourself healthy. It even
includes a guide to breast self-exams. Keep
your copy handy as a friendly reminder to do
one each month. Call the Meridian Health Line at
1-800-560-9990 to order your FREE copy today.
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By eating some foods and avoiding others,
women may reduce their risk for breast
cancer, says Walter Hayne, M.D., who is
affiliated with Riverview Medical Center.
He advises how:
- Try soy. A chemical in soybeans may offer protection from breast cancer.
- Limit red and fried meats to less than 3 ounces a day.
- Add fiber through whole grains and beans.
- If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to one drink daily or less.
- Keep fat to less than 20 percent to 30 percent of your daily calories.
It also may help to eat more fruits and
vegetables. Some studies suggest a link
between eating more fruits and vegetables
and a lowered risk for breast cancer. Other
studies haven't confirmed these findings.
"It may be that only specific fruits and
vegetables are protective," explains Dr.
Hayne. "Until more is known, it's probably
best to eat a wide variety of these foods."
The government's dietary guidelines suggest
three to five vegetable servings and
two to four fruit servings daily. A serving is
equal to ½ cup for most fresh or cooked
vegetables, or 1 cup for raw, leafy green
vegetables. A serving also is a mediumsized
piece of fruit, ½ cup of canned or
cooked fruit, or ¾ cup of juice.
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