This will be a two-part post on breast health, if you’re following me on Twitter, you know that Nanay underwent mastectomy last December because of a malignant tumor in her right breast. That’s why I got so busy because I was the one accompanying her to the hospital for laboratories since November. Thank God it went well and Nanay is fully recovered.
I learned my lesson from Nanay, that I should also visit a doctor for check-up, since I also have a lump in my breast. I had it checked twice pa lang, with Dra. Diana Cua at Medical Plaza Makati, and the other doctor at Makati Medical Center. They said before that it’s benign and no need to undergo surgery because it’s still small. Few months ago, I noticed another lump in my right breast, kaya lang I wasn’t sure if it’s blocked milk ducts since I’m still breastfeeding.
When Nanay decided to pay Dra. Cua’s clinic for a second opinion post-mastectomy, nakisabay na rin ako since I still have my records there. Nanay got her good news that she doesn’t need chemotherapy nor radiation nor other medicines because her case is not a type of cancer, hooray!
Nakaka-smile pa ako before the check-up…
When it’s my turn, Dra. Cua asked me kung matagal na ba yung lump ko na yun, sabi ko nawawala, bumabalik. Doc said it’s not milk and that she will do a core needle biopsy for that lump. AGAD-AGAD! She’s a breast cancer surgeon and she has equipments at her clinic, the next thing I know, ini-injectionan na nya ako ng anesthesia! (Sasamahan ko lang dapat si Nanay eh, :p) I felt numb and I didn’t feel anything kaya lang nakakapanglambot ng tuhod after seeing the core needle that she’s using:
just close your eyes when you see this =)
The needle was injected 6 times to get samples from the lump. Buti na lang may anesthesia! The core needle biopsy procedure looks like this:
image from Mayoclinic
After the biopsy, there’s very little discomfort lang on my right breast, I was able to resume my daily activities. For the results, it’ll be available this week. I’m holding on to Dra. Cua’s words while doing my biopsy, “I don’t think it’s cancer”.
Mommies, I’m not writing this to scare you ha. Better have yourselves checked habang maaga pa. Kahit wala kayong nakakapang lumps, there’s still a possibility na may breast cancer kayo. Like my friend’s mom, no lumps felt, nagkasugat lang sya sa may breast tapos hindi gumagaling, nung nagpa-check up, she has breast cancer na pala and she had to undergo mastectomy too. With Nanay’s case, she has the lump for the longest time na, kaya lang binalewala lang nya thinking that wala naman syang nararamdamang kakaiba and she’s sure na hindi naman daw cancerous (I dunno where she got that), but it became malignant and the doctors had to take all her right breast. She’s right that it’s not cancerous though. But had she removed the lump earlier on, hindi sana ganun kalaki yung damage (aka right breast).
It’s the start of 2013 pa lang, and it’s best to start the year with a clean bill of health! Schedule an executive checkup, visit your OB, get a mammogram, etc… Early prevention is better than cure.
UPDATE:
I got the results already and it’s benign, thank God! Now, Dra. Cua asked me how long do I plan to breastfeed, I said I don’t know, maybe 6 months or 1 year from now. She just told me to come back to her 6 months AFTER I stopped breastfeeding. This is to determine if the lump will get smaller, if it is then I won’t have to undergo surgery. But if it’s still the same size or it got bigger, it should be removed through surgery. All is well, at least I can have peace of mind that it’s benign.
Hi Badet.
I can understand what you are going through. My mom passed away from breast cancer July 2011, just two months after I gave birth to my daughter, her first apo. My mom was diagnosed in 2009. Those were very trying times for my family and I. Since 2011, I’ve been seeing my mom’s breast surgeon yearly for an annual check up. You’re right, prevention is so much better than a cure.
nyaaaaah. natakot ako when i read this post but you’re right, we have to have our breasts checked no matter what. i’m sure your tests will come out fine Badet! kudos for going through the process, needle and all!
Props to you for doing the responsible thing. It’s good to know that your Nanay is okay.
I’m so sorry for your less Hana. It sucks that the big C steals our loved ones but on a positive note, illness makes the family closer and stronger <3. Let's be strong for our daughter =)
Thanks Aimee! Sana nga.
Hi Patty, thanks for dropping by. I read your blog over and over again when I needed strength and when I need to understand my Nanay’s situation last year. =)
Yup, you’re right. It really sucked! Now, we have to be strong for our daughters and also instill in them the importance of being healthy.
I do remember that years back my Mom had a needle biopsy done to her also. Since it was the ’90s, the procedure was not as advance as yours. That’s amazing that the doctor was able to get a biopsy from you so quickly!
Naku sis, buti na lang okay na si Nanay. Praying for good results! Ingat lagi!
Very informative ang post nato. Thanks for reminding us sis. I am one of those na kahit alam na, pero di parin gnagawa…magstatart na ako ng BSE at yun nga check up with the OB soon. Sana okay lng ang result mo…God bless!
During one of my check-ups with my OB-Gyne in 2011, she felt a 1cm lump in my right breast but told me to just monitor it for change in size. I got paranoid kahit sabi nya it’s feels benign naman. I researched about it online pa talaga. It was a good thing on my next check-up and she examined my right breast again, wala na yung lump. Cyclical lang pala, meaning, lumalabas minsan pero nawawala rin kapag nagmemens, buti na lang. But yes, I super agree that prevention is always better than cure. Kaya pag may nakapa, wag ipagwalang-bahala! 🙂
Hi,
Tanong lang, anong number ni Dra and by appointment ba yung pag papacheckup s kanya? thanks. someone in my family needs a breast checkup. Thank you soo much.
Hi Paul, you may call her clinic at 810-0330 or 810-0810. It’s best to schedule for an appointment before going there.
Hi. Thanks for this very nice post. I just wanted to ask how much is dr. Cua’s consultation fee na and how much you paid for the biopsy.
Hi, I paid 15,000 for the biopsy. I forgot how much is the consultation fee since it’s included in the 15k I paid but I suspect around 700 pesos. Hope this helps.
My former boss suffered and died of breast cancer, and when she was still alive struggling, she told me to have myself checked just to make sure everything is okay and until now I am guilty for not doing it. 🙁
Thanks for sharing this info.
Hi, i had my breast ultrasound at uerm last sept 2015 and the result that i have benign lump at right breast but then i still want to have second opinion . I went to dra cua’s clinic this morning & shock ako biopcy ang laki ng needle ! Nakakapanghina . Gusto ko atamag colapse and yes , good thing may anaesthisia. waiting for my result next week . Sbai naman ni dra its niy cancer . Still praying for the result sana negative na . Thank you!
Hi Yanyan, thank you for sharing your experience. Buti na lang talaga may anaesthesia no? Praying for a positive result for you 🙂
same thing happened to me, for consultation lang talaga ako sa kanya ako pumunta kasi magaling daw talaga kahit hindi sya accredited ng health card ko, i dont know what happened hindi na ako nakaobject biopsy on the spot and i paid 19k wala pa daw ang tax dun ang laki ng itinaas ng price napagalitan ako ng husband ko sana daw i told her na sa makati med na lang mismk facility para covered ng card anyways nangyarj na
Hi happyinlovemom, kamusta ang biopsy mo? Ang maganda lang pag sa kanya magpapa check up is sya na nag-uultrasound and biopsy. Unlike sa ibang doctors, pupunta ka pa sa lab/breast center nila para magpa-sched ng Breats Ultrasound. Ang mahal na nga, 19k, 15k lang sa akin dati.