For six months, Tatyana Drozd ignored the recommendations of doctors because she thought she was fine. Specialists at the Oncology Centre at St Panteleimon’s Hospital of the First Medical Association in Lviv began treating the woman whose breast tumour had become cancerous.
Doctors are already noting positive treatment dynamics.
Tetiana, 44, has long-standing problems with her thyroid gland and takes hormones on a regular basis. For this reason, she regularly undergoes gynaecological examinations and has a mammogram every year. Last year, during a regular check-up, doctors detected changes in her breast and gave her a score according to the standard BI-RADS risk scale for malignant tumours. The BI-RADS radiological scale has 6 categories, where 1 is the absence of any lesions and 6 is confirmed cancer. Tetiana’s was category 3. This means that the changes detected are most likely benign. In this case, doctors recommend consulting a mammologist and undergoing a second examination in a few months.
Tetiana was sure she was fine and ignored the visit to the specialist. Six months later, however, she felt that there was indeed a lump in her breast, so she decided to have a mammogram. The repeated examination revealed BI-RADS of the 4th category. And this is a suspicion of cancer. Later, biopsy results confirmed the malignancy of the tumour.
“I couldn’t understand how it could happen and where it came from. I blamed myself a little for my irresponsibility when I was advised to see a mammologist six months ago, but I did nothing. I think it was my irresponsibility, and I blame myself for that,” she says.
After a month’s course of hormones, Tatiana had the malignancy removed. And then she was referred for further treatment to the specialists of the Cancer Centre at St Panteleimon’s Hospital, where she had to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient was very afraid of losing her hair and could not decide on chemotherapy. Oncologist Yaryna Shan persuaded her to start the course.
“I was in great fear. I remember Yaryna Oleksandrivna telling me: “You have to make up your mind! The deadline is approaching. Everything will be fine!” So I started treatment, regularly came to the procedures and talked to other sick women. I listened to their stories and realised that I needed to be strong,” says Tatiana.
At the Cancer Centre, the patient received 16 chemotherapy sessions and 15 radiotherapy sessions. Recently, Tatiana underwent a control examination, which confirmed the effectiveness of the treatment and positive dynamics.
The specialists urge patients not to ignore the recommendations of doctors, to seek help in time and not to be afraid of treatment. After all, cancer is not a sentence! Timely diagnostics and modern treatment methods make it possible to overcome the disease. And the Oncology Centre at St Panteleimon’s Hospital has all the necessary modern equipment to save cancer patients. Phone for information: 032 258 11 92.