Dorothy's Story

My journey for the gold 40 years ago was – at the time – the most exciting and the most challenging time in my life. But when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, I was faced with a challenge I could never imagine. My life completely changed.

I received the diagnosis after going to the doctor for a mammogram. They told me it was early stage, and after receiving a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, I was put on anti-estrogen therapies to help reduce the risk of my cancer coming back. The medicine gave me hot flashes and left me feeling really fatigued, achy, and stiff day after day. Additionally, I was made aware of the longer-tem risks related to these drugs such as endometrial cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues AND that one even has drug interactions with anti-depressants. So when I heard that I might have to stay on this treatment for up to 10 years I thought there had to be more to know.

Luckily when I was diagnosed, I had a lot of support and there was tons of information to help me understand my options. Later, I was told about a new genomic test that could help to determine the likelihood of my cancer coming back, as well as the likelihood of me benefiting from continuing anti-estrogen therapy beyond five years.

The test was ordered and a few weeks later we reviewed the results. The test indicated that I was unlikely to benefit from an additional five years of anti-estrogen therapy. This really gave me confidence in my decision to stop therapy.

My mother was also a breast cancer survivor. Her diagnosis came in 1980, and at the time, her options were very limited. Today, thanks to advancements in research, we are so much wiser, and have more options available. That’s why the BeWisER+ About Breast Cancer campaign is so important. It encourages women like me – breast cancer survivors who are on anti-estrogen therapy – to understand that wisdom is power in the fight against breast cancer and that working closely with their doctor when making treatment decisions is the best way to take control of their breast cancer journey.