Oprah touched a subject tooo close to home on 27/09/2007. Cancer. I lost my grandmother to Cancer. I was very close to her and my “heart still bleeds” for the loss. Our true Oprah-style guest was René Syler. A talk show host(ess) who has 2 kids. Both her parents were victims of Breast Cancer. You learn a lot when you watch Oprah. I was not aware that men could have Breast Cancer; I always figured Oestrogen was the cause. Well, since everything is blamed on Oestrogen I figured, it would be the obvious cause for such high numbers of women suffering from Breast Cancer.
(Pic – René and Oprah )
Ok, Back to Oprah. René retold her family story about experiencing Cancer with both parents being diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and having several (5) biopsies herself after abnormal mammograms. Before I lose you – a mammogram is a test done to check for Cancer. A biopsy is a removal of Cancer infected cells. She had known that she could get Breast Cancer because if a family member has Cancer – you could have the genes that carry the disease and the abnormal mammograms had confirmed her as a possible carrier.
(Pic - René Breakdown )
So, René decide to change her life by going for a selective double mastectomy. She made a decision before being diagnosed with Breast Cancer she would have both her breast tissue removed. She approached Oprah to record this stage of her life. René broke down an hour before surgery. I would have too. Women are attached to their breasts, whether they admit it or not. I know! I am also very attached to my babies. Now, imagine someone tells you your babies are going for good, in an hour. Whether it was by choice or not, they are still going!
(Pic – René in surgery )
The doctor in the theater sounded like Mr Bean. I know! I know! But he did? Did Oprah have to show the pics of the cut in the theater? That terrorised me so much, I think I developed a fear of surgery. Anyway, René got implants and her boobs are gonna be perky B cup size and tight even in her 80s. When Oprah felt them boobs, I think that she was envious. Oprah kept poking the boobs and saying “Very nice”. When René said “No more bras forever” I got worried because I could imagine a wrinkly old lady in her late 80s with boobs that are fit for a 19 year old. Ok, uurgh picture!
But as Oprah said, the most important words out of René was “I am happy”. She is happy with her choices and decisions. I will add that the reason she did the surgery was not even a cosmetic decision – she simply did not want to experience the life her parents had with the disease. I would too if I am faced with a choice like that – Keep your precious sagging breast tissue that may give you breast cancer or get a new set and reduce your chances? The new set wins!
What if the Cancer reappears in another part of her anatomy? René did admit that she could still develop breast Cancer around the nipple since she has no breast tissue. Her risk, however, has been reduced from 40% to 2% chance of developing Breast Cancer or Nipple Cancer. She has written a book titled “Good Enough Mother” – where she discusses her choice and experience.
(pic -Rene's book)
Apparently people wanted to debate Rene’s decision to cut her breast off and demonize it. Why? Your body, your right? So, was she supposed to get more mammograms and biopsies each year? At who’s expense and pain? Pay them doctors out of her head and then develop the Cancer and still be a statistic? Come on, people!! If my grandma had the similar choice, I would have supported her getting implants – unfortunately she discovered it too late; when the cancer had spread to other parts and there was nothing left to do but watch her suffer!
(Pic – Dr Savard, René and Oprah )
Dr Marie Savard, the Oprah expert who has a book titled “How To Save Your Own Life”, suggested tests (ARCA1, ARCA2) to do to check if you have the Cancer gene. Go to your doctor and get Genetic counseling. Go through your family tree to see if there is Cancer in the family. Women need to do breast self-checks every months after your period for breast cancer, if you don’t know how, get your doctor to do it and show you. Very easy, takes less than an RGB show and you will be taking control of your life and health.
(pic - Dr Savard's book )
The list of Life saving tests for women: (courtesy of www.oprah.com)
In Your 20s and 30s
- A complete physical exam, including a blood pressure and cholesterol check
- A yearly pelvic exam and pap smear by age 21—whether you are sexually active or not
- Regular breast exams (Do it, ladies!)
- Total skin checks every three years to analyze freckles and moles to catch skin cancer early. It is one of the deadliest cancers for women under 30.
- A thyroid check at age 35. An unhealthy thyroid can lead to depression, weight gain, mental and physical fatigue, and heart damage.
In your 40s, 50s and 60s+
- An eye exam once a year after age 40. Make sure your doctor tests for glaucoma, a disease that can cause blindness without any symptoms or warning.
- A yearly mammogram
- A colonoscopy at age 50 to check for colon cancer, even if there is no family history of the disease
- For women 65 and older, checkups should include a blood pressure check, complete blood work, a urinalysis and a hearing test.
- Since women are more than twice as likely as men to develop osteoporosis, get a baseline bone mineral density test to monitor your risk.
This show could not have been broadcast at a better time, just a few days before the beginning of Cancer awareness month. Yes, my fellow bloggers – October is Cancer awareness month in South Africa. Wear a pink ribbon in support of those people that have (had) to deal with Breast Cancer. I wear a Livestrong band to honor my grandma. Check out the website www.livestrong.org to support, honor or remember anyone you may know that may have survived, suffer or you have lost to Cancer. I have.
You can do you bit for the Cancer awareness month for all those patients that need our support. You can even do it from the comfort of anywhere you are by sms. Visit the below sites to find out how you can help and be supportive.
www.cansa.org.za
CANSA is running an SMS campaign to raise funds for patient care services. SMS the words breast cancer to 38112. SMS’s will be premium rated at R10 each. CANSA offices nation-wide are also selling pink ribbon key chains for R10 each and pink cell phone charms for R15 each.
www.campaign4cancer.co.za
Campaigning for Cancer, the pioneering African advocacy conference is set to take place from the 5th – 7th October 2007, at the Forum Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
The focus of the conference is to create an ideal platform to discuss and challenge the various issues that make up the cancer advocacy landscape. It is therefore crucial that all stakeholders be included and their support garnered to ensure an over-arching approach.