Ann Romney Has Lumpectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

[sabra]

Source: WSJ

Ann Romney, the wife of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, had a lumpectomy for the earliest stage of breast cancer.

Romney, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than a decade ago, had a mammogram last week that showed Ductal Carcinoma In Sutu, or DCIS. According to the National Cancer Institute, the condition does not require a mastectomy and can be treated with surgery and possibly radiation therapy.

Romney, 59 years old, had a lumpectomy on Friday as an outpatient.

“Mitt and I feel fortunate to have caught this so early,” Romney said in a statement to the media. “And, it reminds us how important it is for women to have regular mammograms. As in all cases of cancer, early detection is critical.”

Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/05/ann-romney-has-lumpectomy-for-early-stage-breast-cancer/

[calimary]

1. ALWAYS good to find it early and deal with it.

I had to have a breast biopsy shortly before Thanksgiving after a mammogram and then an ultrasound and then an aspiration of fluids for testing. They had to keep going because they could never be sure. When the test came back negative and I was told "that's it! You're done! Just get another mammogram in a year" - lemme tellya I was REALLY happy and relieved. I hope Ann Romney gets a similar sense of relief, in her case, that this is now dealt with.

Good reminder, though, for women everywhere, and the men and other women who love them.

[eleny]

5. So glad it all worked out for you

I went through that 20 years ago. It's an ordeal with the worrying. I know how relieved you were when they concluded the negative. There's nothing like a clean bill of health.

[calimary]

7. Yeah, no kidding.

The worrying is just nuts. And I didn't want to tell my kids until I had SOME definitive outcome, so as not to worry them. I'm adopted, so it would have been important especially for my daughter since I can provide her with nothing in the way of biological/medical history. I kept imagining her now having to fill out "that" form - did any of your female relatives ever have cancer etc. And I thought, well, sweetie, you'll have something to fill out there, finally. But it didn't work out that way - thank You, Dear God!

It felt almost as though I'd just lost about 20 pounds when the weight of that worry was lifted. Glad it worked out well for you, too!

:toast:

[emilyg]

8. Early is good - mine was found early

on a routine mammo.

[Berry Cool]

17. Not always. Pathology is what really matters.

And the only reason your situation was "dealt with" is because you didn't have anything malignant.

[bluestateguy]

2. I wish her well and a full recovery

My mother is being treated for the same thing, and fortunately it was caught early (b/c she had health insurance).

[TwilightGardener]

3. I wish her well. Good luck, Mrs. Romney.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. All the best to her.

I wish her a speedy recovery and complete remission.

[eleny]

6. Speedy recovery, Ann

[Sebastian Doyle]

9. Fortunately for Mrs. Mittens she could afford proper health care

And is able to see a doctor when she wants, allowing for early detection and treatment. Other women may not be so lucky.

[DavidDvorkin]

10. My wife had DCIS and a mastectomy

That was 10 years ago, and she's still glad that she chose mastectomy rather than lumpectomy.

[saracat]

11. Best wishes. I am glad she caught it. We need healthcare for ALL women to be able to catch

this early!

[DavidDvorkin]

14. And all men, to catch and treat prostate cancer

And all kids.

We just need universal healthcare.

[Berry Cool]

18. I would prefer to live in a world in which we didn't settle for "catching it early"

but PREVENTED it, PERIOD.

"Catching it early" can make no difference at all. If it's really virulent, it just keeps coming back and coming back and coming back.

Linda McCartney "caught it early." Didn't make a damn bit of difference in the end.

[Javaman]

12. I wish her well. nt

[bitchkitty]

13. Best wishes -

I hope she doesn't have to have chemo - I had the most virulent form of cancer, so along with the lumpectomy I had all my lymph nodes removed and had to have industrial-strength poison every three weeks. It was hell. Good luck to her!

[Berry Cool]

19. She had a carcinoma in situ. There is no need for chemo with that.

It hasn't spread anywhere. Even invasive cancers don't always call for chemo. What matters is whether anything's in the lymph nodes; that's what will bring up the question of whether chemo may help. Obviously, in your situation it made sense, even though it must have been torturous to undergo. And if you have such a compromised lymphatic system you probably have lymphedema too. That's really unfortunate, and it's a good thing you're still here to tell about it.

[bitchkitty]

21. No lymphedema, thank God.

The lymph nodes on the right weren't removed, only on the left, and my left arm hasn't swollen yet - it's been 8 years so I think I'm good! My kidneys, however, would disagree.

[CBHagman]

15. I hope she does well.

No one wants news like this, but I pray the medical team will be utterly thorough and get her to the cancer-free stage. God be with her!

[Berry Cool]

20. As of now, she's cancer free.

It was in situ, hadn't invaded the tissues, they scooped it out and she's done. Lucky for her.

[iamjoy]

16. Oh, No

That was my first thought. I thought of Elizabeth Edwards, too.

I really, really hope she's okay. I always thought Ann Romney seemed like a nice enough lady, even though I had severe concerns about Mitt Romney. I hope she's coping well with her M.S. too. A friend and co-worker of mine both have it, and that's no picnic either.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

22. Healing vibes and thoughts Mrs. Romney.

Warm thoughts to the entire Romney family.