Laura DiCanio

Hi everyone,

As most of you know I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and will be starting chemotherapy in March. A close friend recommended this site-- thanks Dolores:) I hope I will be able to keep everyone updated as things progress!!

Thanks for visiting:)



Hi everyone:)

I thought I would share with you how my cancer journey began.

Back in October I discovered a lump on right breast. While I knew it had not been there the month prior, I thought I would take the wait and see approach. If it had been my first breast lump, I probably would have been more concerned, but it was not. In 2007, I had a mass removed from my left breast which turned out to be a benign fibroadenoma. When I found that lump, I immediately thought I had cancer and had it surgically removed, which was quite painful. After that I vowed to take the wait and see approach with any new found masses which is exactly what I did. However, after a couple of months, I noticed the mass felt bigger and warranted a trip to the gynecologist.

My gynecologist suggested having an ultrasound and mammogram done to err on the side of caution, but felt it was probably benign, so I had no worries.

In December I had the ultrasound and mammogram done and was told to follow up with a surgeon. Ironically, the sonographer imaged the wrong area and stated the mass to be a simple cyst, luckily I had a savy surgeon who felt the mass was bigger than stated on the report and ordered a follow up ultrasound.

I had the follow up ultrasound a week later and the mass in question was labled as highly suspicious and a biopsy was ordered.

I must admit I was scared after reading the ultrasound report, but still felt that it was going to turn out benign. I mean, I had no family history of breast cancer, no risk factors and I was in perfectly good health--how could I possibly have breast cancer?

A week after the ultrasound, I had my first core needle biopsy, and the results were Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma! I have to admit I was SHOCKED, I could not believe I had cancer, but the truth is I do and here I am.

Although the reality of cancer has set in, I do not plan on letting it get the best of me:) I know the road is going to be rough at times, but I will get through it--you can count on that!!!!