TMC PULSE

October 2018

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t m c ยป p u l s e | o c t o b e r 2 0 1 8 29 Breast Reconstruction Revolution Microsurgery is changing the way breasts are rebuilt her doctor about her breast cancer diagnosis, her wife, Brenda, sat in an MD Anderson clinic, undergoing treatment for lymphoma. "It was daunting, but we knew it was something we could handle," Williams-Scott said. Although DCIS does not spread beyond the breast, it can progress into breast cancer that metastasizes if left untreated. The American Cancer Society estimates about one in five new breast cancers will be DCIS, yet it is nearly completely curable. O n Nov. 1, 2017, millions watched as the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series, winning their first champi- onship title in franchise history. But while fans cheered on the Astros, Melissa Williams-Scott was on the phone with her oncologist, who was sharing different news: she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of stage 0 non-invasive breast cancer that forms in cells inside the milk ducts. As Williams-Scott spoke with The diagnosis didn't surprise Williams-Scott, who had a mass removed 14 years earlier. She had a sneaking suspicion that she might receive a cancer diagnosis at some point. "I spent many years waiting for this diagnosis," Williams-Scott said. "I didn't want to do this again with Brenda's diagnosis looming. Hers will come back. We're blessed that it's in remission right now, but with that looming, I didn't want always to wonder." (continued) Surgeon Matthew Hanasono, M.D., center right, performs lymphedema surgery on a breast reconstruction patient at MD Anderson alongside other surgeons. B y S h a n l e y P i e r c e

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