Learning to Live With Scars
- Former “Baywatch” star Nicole Eggert, 52, who is currently undergoing breast cancer treatment, announced this week that she is dealing with unexpected treatment reminders — a series of small tattoos.
- Earlier this week, Eggert shared on Instagram that she had gone in to have “mapping” done for her radiation treatment.
- “When they said they were gonna tattoo me, I didn’t realize that it’s actually real tattoos,” the actress shared in a teary video.
- Learning to live with and cope with the scars and reminders of cancer treatment is something so many survivors struggle with — and fans find Eggert’s candor as she goes through the treatment process refreshing and inspiring.
Earlier this week, Eggert shared on Instagram that she had gone in to have “mapping” done for her radiation treatment.
Read MoreNicole Eggert’s Cancer Journey
Nicole Eggert was diagnosed in December 2023 with stage 2 cribriform carcinoma breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast while performing a self-breast exam.
A self-breast exam is an easy way to keep watch for anything abnormal regarding your breasts. It involves feeling the breast for any swelling, bulging, or changes in the shape of the breast or nipple. Checking for signs of redness, rashes, or discharge is also part of this exam. If anything is found to be concerning, you should contact your doctor. It’s important to note that self-exams should be done in addition to regular mammograms.
RELATED: ‘Baywatch’ Star Nicole Eggert Goes Bald For Cancer Treatment amid Breast Cancer Journey
Eggert said she initially started experiencing “terrible pain” and rapid weight gain that she first dismissed for signs of menopause. However, after she discovered a lump during a self-exam, a mammogram and multiple biopsies confirmed that she had breast cancer.
The rare type of breast cancer Eggert has is often slow-growing and low-grade, according to Breast Cancer Now.
“I can definitely feel it. It’s there. It needs to be taken out. So it’s just a matter of do I have to do treatment before the surgery or can they perform the surgery and then I do the treatment after,” Eggert told People earlier this year.
Eggert’s treatment plan included eight rounds of chemotherapy over the course of six months, and was followed by surgery to remove the cancer via a mastectomy.
According to her most recent Instagram post, she is now preparing to undergo radiation.
Stage 2 Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Stage 2 breast cancers are either larger than stage 1 tumors or have moved to a few nearby lymph nodes. Treatment is typically some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If chemotherapy is also needed after surgery, the radiation is delayed until the chemo is done. The same approach is taken to hormone receptor and HER2 positive as stage 1.
When it comes to deciding to get a mastectomy, is a considerable step patients must discuss in-depth with their care teams.
A mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast during surgery (a double mastectomy removes both breasts). There are several factors to weigh when considering a mastectomy, such as if breast-conserving surgery (or lumpectomy) is possible. Your doctor will evaluate the size and features of your tumor and your family history to make a recommendation.
In some cases, a double mastectomy is a viable treatment option. A prophylactic double mastectomy may also be performed as a preventative measure for women who are at a very high risk of developing breast cancer.
WATCH: When to consider a mastectomy?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
