BREAST cancer sufferer Patricia Samios is lucky to be alive after her GP
and oncologist missed numerous chances to diagnose the deadly disease.
Baulkham Hills' Patricia Samios can still hug Deanna because
she insisted she be checked for breast cancer. Picture: Rohan Kelly
After noticing a rash on her left breast in January, the 46-year-old
visited her doctor a week later when her condition didn't improve. "The
doctor told me I just had an allergy from my washing powder," Ms Samios
said. "But three weeks went by and the rash was still there so I went back
and got a referral to a breast surgeon."
A private specialist in Sydney's west told Ms Samios not too worry and
gave her the same diagnosis. Not satisfied, Ms Samios underwent a mammogram. "After
seven weeks with this rash, I knew something wasn't right," she said. "I
was pacing at night, I couldn't believe it was from washing power. "Everyone
kept telling me to stop looking at the inter- net but I am glad I went with my
gut. "Finally the results of the mammogram came through and the specialist
said 'oh, you've got breast cancer'. My world stopped."
The specialist suggested a breast reduction to remove the cyst but said
chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be unnecessary. But Ms Samios said she
wasn't prepared to take any chances and booked an appointment with the head of
the Macquarie University Breast Cancer Care Centre, Professor John Boyages. "It
took Professor Boyages five minutes to diagnose my inflammatory breast cancer,
which is an advanced cancer that spreads quickly," Ms Samios said. "The
following day I had a scan, and mid-February I underwent surgery and started 18
weeks of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy every day for five weeks. "I
finished treatment two weeks ago and live to tell the tale."
Like many women suffering the disease Ms Samios said she is certain
stress caused her condition. "I truly believe stress triggered the
disease," she said. "It's given me a new perspective. And the message
is, if you feel you need to get a second opinion go with your gut feeling. "You
have to show cancer that you aren't scared of it, you have to say 'well you fit
into my life baby, because I'm not fitting into yours'."
News.com.au
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