I saw a genetic counselor who educated me on the genetics of melanoma and BC. My maternal grandmother had melanoma which spread to her brain. She later was diagnosed with BC, but she died from the melanoma. My brother also has prostrate cancer which is another genetic red flag.
My mother died of leukimia @ age 57, and my father died of colon cancer. Neither of which are known to be genetically linked to the BC. Go figure...
I too have annual exams by the dermatologist. Isn't it amazing that some of us procrastinated (guilty!) on having annual mammos, but now, we seek out the best of the physicians to check us up one side and down the other.
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- Diagnosis 06/06 - Stage II-A BC; BC was 2.5 cm, grade 2; ER/PR negative & HER-2/neu positive;
- Mastectomy w/ reconstruction (implant) in 09/06;lymph nodes - negative;
- AC/Cytoxin combo - 4 treatments (dose dense);
- Taxol/Herceptin combo- 12 weekly treatments;
- Completed chemo - 2/07; completed restruction 02/07; reduction of left breast.
- BRCA 1 and 2 negative - 6/15/07;DX high risk for distant recurrence
- MRI, 08/02/07 - NED
- 1 year Anniversary - 09/07; completed Herceptin 11/07.
- Mammo 02/14/08 - NED; MRI - 08/2008 - NED
- 2 year Anniversary - 09/08
- Mammo 02/09 - NED; MRI - 08/09 - NED
- 3rd year Anniversary - 09/09
- 5th Annivery - 09/2011 - NED
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