Sobering news was announced this morning: Rita Wilson was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, the actress tells People magazine. She says she feels blessed to have the support of her husband, actor Tom Hanks, as well as family, friends, and doctors.
Wilson had taken leave from the play, Fish in the Dark, to deal with what she called a "personal health issue." She was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, and her surgery took place last week. But there's more to Wilson's story, and she has an urgent message for us all.
"I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery," Wilson says. "Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion." She explains that she and her doctors had been monitoring an underlying condition of lobular carcinoma in sutu (an area of abnormal cell growth). Recently, a surgical biopsy revealed pleomorphic carcinoma in situ (meaning the cells look more atypical than usual). "I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)," Wilson says. "I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer."
However, a friend of Wilson's who'd had breast cancer urged her to get a second opinion, and she says her gut confirmed that was important to do. Sure enough, a second doctor found lobular carcinoma, and his diagnosis was confirmed by yet another doctor.
"You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen," Wilson says. "Early diagnosis is key."
And that's why Wilson is sharing her story today. "I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn't 'feel' right." She encourages us to learn more at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation website.
Our thoughts are with Wilson and her family. We're so glad her cancer was detected early and that she expects a full recovery. Her warning is something we hear all the time -- get screened, get second opinions, trust your gut. This advice makes so much sense, and yet, in the midst of our busy lives, it's easy to gloss over warning signs and just hope for the best. This is a serious and hopeful warning for all of us.
Do you know anyone who got a second opinion based on a gut feeling and found out her condition was worse than the original diagnosis?
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