Page 68 - Masala E-magazine Vol 9 Issue 5 April - May 2018

Keeping aeeping a
K

Fatal Disease

Abreast

Early detection and timely action can greatly increase the chance for a successful breast
cancer treatment. With today’s technology, it is possible to remove the cancerous tumor
and reconstruct the breasts to its natural shape. Sukumvit Hospital’s multidisciplinary
team of surgeons, radiologists and cancer specialists work together to map out a suitable

treatment plan for each individual, ensuring a high total recovery rate.

rs. Thin Zar Htet, a breast cancer patient from affecting the breast too much.
Myanmar, who was successfully treated at However, the breast was likely to lose
M Sukumvit Hospital, shares her experience. its natural shape and there was a
possibility that not all the cancer cells
Did you receive any treatment would be removed. The second was to
prior to coming to Sukumvit remove the right breast entirely, while
Hospital? the third was to remove the cancerous
Yes, I went to Yangon Hospital lump and replace it with healthy tissue
in Myanmar where a biopsy was to retain the breast’s normal shape. I went for the second option,
done by removing a small lump as this was the safest way to get rid of the cancer.
from by breast. After testing, it was
found to be cancerous (malignant). How long before you decided to come to Sukumvit Hospital?
However, as I was not too confi dent After doing the biopsy at Yangon Hospital and fi nding out the
about the possible treatments, I approached Sukumvit Hospital for results, I did take a while to decide before getting myself admitted
a second opinion. to Sukumvit Hospital. It was not easy at fi rst and I had to come to
terms with reality and decide on what was best for my future.
What were your symptoms?
When I felt a small lump in my right breast, I decided to visit How long did the surgery take?
Yangon Hospital and receive medical attention. I was referred The surgery took only one hour, and was totally painless as I was
to a surgeon who recommended that I initially do a biopsy. Upon under anesthesia. I went into the OR at 2pm and woke up at 8pm.
physical examination, the lump felt around 3cm large, but after
going through an ultrasound, the lump measured 7cm. How long did you take to recover?
I was admitted for fi ve days and discharged on the sixth.
What treatments did you go through at Sukumvit Hospital?
After being admitted at Sukumvit Hospital, a surgeon and How do you feel now?
radiologist initially had me do a mammogram ultrasound, Before treatment, I was very afraid of all the pain and suffering that
an X-ray scan and blood tests. After going through these I might have to endure. But now I am so happy to inform you that
procedures, I underwent a biopsy to check my lymph nodes the entire treatment was totally painless and very professional.
as well. The test result slides from Myanmar were also used to
reach the fi nal diagnosis. After your treatment, what advice did you receive from
the doctors?
After receiving your diagnosis, what steps did you have The doctors recommended me to start physical exercise, and
to go through? to eat healthier with more protein in my diet. I also had to do
Considering that I was still young, the doctors gave me three some light exercises on my right arm, which I learnt from
options. First was to only remove the tumorous lump without the physiotherapist.

68 Masala Magazine
APRIL - MAY 2018