Right treatments, support system help in healing of breast cancer survivor

MANILA, Philippines - “Being diagnosed with breast cancer used to be a death sentence,” says Maris Medina. “Today with the right treatment and a strong social support system, coupled with the right lifestyle, we can beat breast cancer.”

Medina arrived at this conclusion the hard way. In April 1998, the 46-year-old entrepreneur and mother of four felt a small lump on her right breast. She consulted her OB-gyne, who ordered a mammogram. Because the mammogram was negative, she decided to defer surgery.

“On hindsight,” confesses Medina, “I should have had the lump biopsied even if the mammogram was negative.”

Nine months later, a friend who developed several lumps in both breasts asked Medina to accompany her to a doctor. “My friend said I might as well have my breast lump checked,” she recalls. 

Her friend’s breast lumps turned out to be benign and the surgeon said there was no rush to have them surgically removed. After examining the lump on Medina’s breast, however, the surgeon   recommended immediate removal of the lump and an ultrasound of the liver.

“I took pre-nursing and medical technology in college, so I could read between the lines. I knew the ultrasound was ordered to check if the cancer had already spread,” she says.

Her breast cancer had already progressed to stage IIIC. Breast cancer has several stages: 0, I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, and IV. 

Cancer stage is based on tumor size, whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether there is lymph node involvement, and whether the cancer has spread.

“I went through the usual range of emotions experienced by breast cancer patients — fear, denial, anger. I felt hopeless, I knew I was going to die,” admits Medina.

Medina underwent a modified radical mastectomy, which involved the removal of her right breast and the lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit. 

Next was a grueling regimen of chemotherapy sessions, linear accelerator radiation therapy followed by five years of tamoxifen, then another five years of letrozole. 

Letrozole, a research product of healthcare company Novartis, inhibits an enzyme needed to produce estrogen, thus reducing estrogen levels in the body. 

Tamoxifen, on the other hand, blocks estrogen, a hormone necessary for the growth of some types of breast cancer. 

Another effective breast cancer drug is anastrozole, another hormonal therapeutic agent in the same class as letrozole. 

“Before being diagnosed with breast cancer, I heard Mass and received communion every day and was already a devout Catholic. But during my treatment, I renewed my relationship with the Lord and became more spiritual,” Medina says.

She began attending Bosom Buddies meetings in the middle of her chemotherapy sessions. Founded in September 1998, Bosom Buddies is the country’s first breast cancer support group foundation.

“My friends at Bosom Buddies helped me a lot in coping with breast cancer. Cancer survivors all, they knew what I was going through and always gave me tips on how to cope with the pain, discomfort and side effects of the treatments,” Medina says. 

Aside from providing emotional and spiritual support, Bosom Buddies has produced the “Breast Cancer Recovery Kit” that contains an arm pillow, scarf, journal, and relaxation CD for women who have undergone mastectomy and about to start chemotherapy.

The support group also finds ways of assisting survivors purchase branded anti-breast cancer drugs like tamoxifen, letrozole and anastrozole at significantly discounted rates.

“Today, I am happy to say that I have been cancer-free for 11 years now,” Medina declares. She urges Filipino women to live a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent breast cancer. 

“Eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, think positive and do positive activities to boost your immune system,” she says, also underscoring the importance of vigilance in detecting breast cancer early.

“If you feel a lump in your breast or anything wrong in your body, consult your doctor immediately and follow his or her advice,” she adds.