Connie's Story About Breast Augmentation & Breast Cancer - Breast Reconstruction

Visitor's Stories on Breast Augmentation & Breast Cancer

Connie's Story - Breast Implants and how they saved her life!

My name is Connie. I am 36 years old. I started to visit Nicole's website in April of 1999. Like most visitors, I have always wanted breast augmentation, but felt I didn't know enough about the subject.

After several months and a few visits to plastic surgeons, I set my date for September 2nd. I had McGhan textured implants, placed over the muscle, filled to 320ccs.

During all my visits to the surgeons I discussed removing a cyst I had found while pregnant for my son, 15 yrs ago. My family doctor, and gynecologist had always told me that it was a fibroid cyst, many women have them, and to just watch it for any changes. It was about the size of a pea and had not changed or bothered me. However, since the PS was going to do augmentation, he agreed to remove it and send it to a pathologist just as a safety measure. When I went in 2 weeks later to remove my stitches, he told me that the pathology report indicated cancer. After consulting a breast cancer surgeon in another state, it was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma insitu. Which means that the cancer was confined to that cyst, and had not spread anywhere. It is the most curable kind of breast cancer. I am still a little bit in shock over the whole thing, but I know that I was extremely lucky. I have no known family history of this disease.

Had I not decided to have a breast augmentation I would not have bothered to have an "innocent" lump removed. Thanks to Nicole's website, I made what turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life. Radiation therapy and taking a breast cancer drug for 5 years is the only thing I have to get through now. Considering how deadly breast cancer is, I have no complaints. I would suggest to anyone with any kind of cyst, have a needle biopsy done, or just have it removed. They can turn cancerous. Mammograms detect lumps, but a biopsy will tell you if the cells are normal. Best wishes to all of you on the forum. Stay informed. Also, my onocologist just informed me that doctors look at the health history on both sides of the family now. It used to be thought that this disease came from the Mother's side, but they are finding that isn't always the case.

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All of us at ImplantInfo wish to extend our thanks to Connie for sharing her story and we wish her a long, healthy life!

Section Contents

• Information on the Internet Main Page

• Early Detection - Learn about the importance of regular examinations and how they provide your first line of defense.

• Treatment - Discussion of some of the treatment options available

• Reconstruction Options - An overview of reconstruction options, should a woman choose reconstruction after treatment.

• Visitor's Stories - Experiences from visitors to the site.

  • Kari's Story - Learn about the woman who was the driving force behind this section of the site.

  • Connie's Story (You are here) - Read about her breast cancer and treatment.

• Links to other Breast Cancer Information Sites - Other online resources you can use to learn more about breast cancer topics, information and issues.