Navigating a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- The host of Capital Public Radio’s show “Insight,” Vicki Gonzalez, has revealed she’s taking a leave from work after her recent diagnosis of breast cancer, something she learned has spread to her lymph nodes.
- Gonzalez is confronting the disease by spreading breast cancer awareness, and staying strong and positive throughout treatment. She’s planning on undergoing a double mastectomy [the removal of both breasts] before a treatment plan is decided on.
- To help you cope with an unexpected diagnosis, invite your close family and friends for added support. Also, consider adding a therapist to your support group to help process your thoughts and feelings.
- Staying positive during cancer treatment can help you achieve better health outcomes. So, it’s important to prioritize your mental health, whether that means continuing to work, taking up a new hobby, or making time for friends.
Despite having received her diagnosis last month, two days after her 40th birthday, Gonzalez has decided to make the best out of her health challenge by spreading breast cancer awareness and confronting the disease with “strength, compassion and positivity,” as she takes some time off from work.
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“When the doctor called with the results they said it was a mixed diagnosis. But the headline that immediately shaped my life is that I have breast cancer that spread to my lymph nodes. And what has followed is a whirlwind of information showing how ignorant and naïve I was about the second most common type of cancer facing women in the United States.”
She continued, “I learned that upwards of 85% of breast cancer diagnoses have no family history. I was shocked when I found that out. Frankly, I had a false sense of security when it came to breast cancer — because of my age and also because breast cancer doesn’t run in either side of my family. Plus, according to health guidelines the earliest I could get a breast cancer screening is at 40 years old.
“I am supposedly “healthy” on paper. Free of underlying health conditions, normal lab work, a strong immune system, I consider myself athletic, as well as make space for community and my mental wellbeing.”
Gonzalez admitted that she initially thought about delaying her checkup after her lump discover as she just celebrated her birthday days prior and she thought she was “too young” to be battling breast cancer. However, her doctor ultimately informed her that her diagnosis isn’t rare at all, as people get diagnosed with breast cancer “every week” at her doctor’s office.
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After admitting the only way to escape the fear she feels from her diagnosis is to power “through” it and share her story with others, as she believes “the weight of this moment carries an ironic capacity of also serving as a reminder of the beautiful warmth of support that surrounds me, if I allow it in.”
Gonzalez continued, “I am sharing my cancer diagnosis with a larger message: When possible, get screenings and checkups. Urge the same of loved ones. Talk about it. And please, advocate for yourself if something feels off. Even bring the compassionate backup of a loved one who can ask questions you might not think of and take notes while you’re just trying to take it all in, as the flood of information tries to swallow you up whole.
“Breast cancer will not become my dark tunnel. I face this knowing there is still a great deal to look forward to in my life. And I soak in all the warmth and beauty and love there is to offer. So much love. So this is where I say goodbye, for now. I am in good hands. Talk soon.”
Expert Resources On Early Detection & Cancer Screenings
- 6 Common Excuses for Skipping a Mammogram That You Need to Stop Using!
- The Mammogram Debate: Should Women Start Breast Cancer Screening at 30?
- How to Avoid False Positive Cancer Results in Women With Dense Breasts: Ultrasounds Used in Addition To Mammograms
- Mammograms Are Still the Best Tool for Detecting Breast Cancer — A Warning About Thermography
- I Have Dense Breasts. Do I Need a 3D Mammogram?
The long-time Sacramento media personality also spoke with The Sacramento Bee, saying, “Breast cancer wasn’t on my radar,” but she knows she must “approach it with strength, compassion and positivity.”
Her outlook and determination to stay focused and optimistic throughout her cancer journey is “an active, daily choice” that she’s decided to make, she added.
Gonzalez also informed The Sacramento Bee that she is planning to have double mastectomy and following the surgery, a treatment plan will be decided on.
Learn Your Risk and Listen to the Guidelines: An Important Message About Breast Cancer Awareness
Considering a Double Mastectomy
With a double mastectomy, both breasts are removed to get rid of cancer. The procedure may also be performed as a preventative measure for women who are at a very high risk of developing breast cancer. Afterward, some women decide to have their breasts reconstructed and have implants put in, while others don’t have reconstruction at all.
“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removing of the tissue,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. “The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has.”
READ MORE: An Overview of Breast Cancer Treatment
If you’re considering a double mastectomy, these may be questions you ask your doctor ahead of time:
- What can I do to prepare for a double mastectomy?
- What happens before and after the procedure?
- What are the benefits of using implants over my own tissue and vice versa?
- What will recovery look like after the procedure?
When Should You Consider a Mastectomy?
Maintaining High Spirits During Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, remember that your life does not have to come to a complete stop. You can and should continue doing things that keep your emotional health in a positive space.
According to SurvivorNet experts, prioritizing your overall well-being and continuing to do the things you love can be very beneficial because it can positively influence your treatment outcomes.
RELATED: Working During Your Cancer Treatment
WATCH: Find Moments of Joy During Treatment
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecological oncologist at Arizona Center for Cancer Care, tells SurvivorNet.
Tips to Cope with an Unexpected Diagnosis
Facing a new cancer diagnosis can be stressful and scary — but it’s important to remember that you are not alone and there are may directions you can turn in for support. Experts recommend the following:
- Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
- Keep a journal. It can be highly cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a lovely journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
- Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
- Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
WATCH: Managing your mental health after a diagnosis.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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