Margarita is what many would call a ‘super woman’. She raised two daughters and developed a career as a special education assistant at the school she attended as a youth. When her kids were young, she worked a few hours a day helping kindergarten to fifth grade students with learning disabilities catch up in reading and language. When her kids were out of school, she increased her hours and responsibilities and has been an inspiring influence on special needs children for the past 30 years. She says, ‘they inspire me and keep me young’. Retirement is somewhere in the future, but for now she loves working with the special needs kids, spending time with her 2 daughters and 6 grandkids, and experiencing new adventures with her significant other.
Today, Margarita is happy and optimistic, but she was scared and uncertain when she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 2019 and shuffled through the healthcare system with very little information, support or personalized care. In true super woman fashion, she took the situation into her own hands.
I had to research and advocate for myself
“I have dense breasts, so I wasn’t too alarmed when I had an abnormal mammogram in 2019. They took another look and recommended a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed DCIS, also known as stage zero breast cancer. So, that’s when I panicked and started researching online to learn as much as I could about DCIS and treatment options.”
“When I went to my follow-up appointment, they told me that I needed to have a lumpectomy and radiation. But in my research, I had learned about PreludeDx and the DCISionRT test. I contacted PreludeDx and Jennifer answered my questions and was incredibly supportive. She told me that the DCISionRT test used my own biopsy to determine if I truly needed radiation following a lumpectomy. I knew that radiation had side effects so I didn’t want to have radiation if I wouldn’t benefit from it. Plus, if I had radiation now and the cancer came back, I couldn’t have radiation again.”
Unfortunately, Margarita’s physicians were stuck in the traditional means of treating DCIS. “When I met with the radiation oncologist, I didn’t feel like he was listening to me or answering my questions. He merely said that radiation following breast conserving surgery was ‘procedure’ and that’s what we needed to do. But I wasn’t convinced.”
“Jennifer prepared the paperwork to give to my breast surgeon so I could get the DCISionRT test. My test results came back as low risk of recurrence with very little difference in the risk factor between lumpectomy alone and lumpectomy plus radiation, which means that I would not actually benefit from radiation therapy.”
“I had the lumpectomy and had to go back two weeks later for a second surgery to get a bit more on the margin. If I had not had the DCISionRT test, I would have moved forward with radiation and would have put so many toxins into my body for no reason. However, DCISionRT gave me the information and the confidence to forgo radiation therapy.”
A new chapter in my life
“Following the diagnosis, I changed my diet and started eating healthy foods – more fruits and vegetables. I started exercising and lost weight. I’m 62 and have a lovely family, but I told my daughters that ‘it’s now my turn to have fun’”. I am still working, but we take time for trips and evenings out. We recently went to Laughlin. We go kayaking and dancing. We’re going to Las Vegas next month to see a Katy Perry concert. I am living every day and remaining positive and strong and resolute.”
My advice for other patients
“Choose to be your own advocate. Get as much information as you can. Then with all the information in hand, you can decide with your family, physicians and God what is best for you. For me, the DCISionRT test was critical in helping me make the best decision. At the end of the day, just have faith and take comfort that you have done everything that you can.”
