Helping a Patient Fight Breast Cancer, Every Step of the Way
The call marked the beginning of what could have been a harrowing journey. After a biopsy, surgery,radiation treatment, and ongoing hormone therapy for breast cancer,Carol says she feels great — and has the caring and knowledgeable Meridian Cancer Care team at Ocean Medical Center to thank.
A Speedy Diagnosis
Soon after the call, the Toms River resident saw Ocean breast surgeon Mark Schwartz, M.D., who ordered a biopsy and delivered a dose of compassion. "He actually took my hand and said not to worry about anything — that he would do the worrying," Carol recalls.
Then, it was on to the Women's Imaging Pavilion,where director R. Lance Dillon, M.D.,performed the initial biopsy to determine if the small mass in Carol's breast was cancerous.
Dr. Dillon — an accomplished radiologist with three fellowships to his name — called Carol at home with her results within 48 hours.
"Especially in the event of a positive result, you want to make sure the patient and her doctor know as quickly as possible," he says.
Advanced Treatment Techniques
Carol's diagnosis: infiltrating ductal carcinoma. "When you read about breast cancer or hear about it on TV,this is usually the type they're talking about," says Dr. Schwartz.
Typically, the main treatment is lumpectomy, or surgery to remove the tumor but preserve the breast. Dr. Schwartz performed Carol's on September 16, 2010. At the same time, he removed a single lymph node from her armpit, which was immediately tested for cancer.
This technique, sentinel lymph node biopsy, is just one way Ocean demonstrates its commitment to the latest in cancer care. Carol's lymph node biopsy results were negative, so her doctors could be confident her cancer hadn't spread. And she avoided further surgery to remove more lymph nodes and its uncomfortable side effects.
Next Steps
Carol's cancer was detected early,at stage 1, so she didn't need chemotherapy. For eight weeks starting in November, Carol traveled to Ocean for radiation treatment.
Ocean experts precisely calibrated the beams to target remaining cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. Carol had to lie still in a large room while they were delivered. But, she says, the caring staff and classical music they piped in helped time pass quickly.
She'll continue seeing oncologist William Lerner, M.D., for the next five years for hormone therapy. The small pills she takes have few side effects and will help ensure that her cancer won't return.
Life Lessons
What Carol learned is that she doesn't need to travel far from home to get the best health care. What's more, she says, taking charge of your own health through self-exams and screening tests is essential.
"As in Carol's case, many times mammograms are the only way that these cancers are detected at these earliest stages, when treatment is most effective," says Dr. Dillon.
Now, Carol is hopeful for the future. "To be honest, it's almost as though I had a dream about cancer.I don't even think about it that much," Carol says. But Dr. Lerner, Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Dillon, and the whole cancer care team will keep her on their minds. They'll continue to monitor Carol, as she gets back to living her life.
Meet the Doctors
R. Lance Dillon, M.D.
Board certified in Radiology
Brick | 732-836-4083
Mark. R. Schwartz, M.D.
Board certified in General Surgery
Brick | 732-836-1500
