Christa

7 years since diagnosis

Age at interview: 41

Christa is married and has a one child. She works as a high school teacher although she stopped working during the year of her treatment.

 Christa received her diagnosis in 2006. All of Christa’s aunts, as well as her mother and grandmother had breast cancer. Even though Christa expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life, she did not expect it to be at such an early age. At age 34, Christa wanted to get some testing done as a baseline before she might possibly get pregnant; she had just stopped taking the pill. Despite her family history, Christa felt that she had to be a bit persistent to get referrals for the tests.  A lump was found during her mammogram, and Christa was asked to come back the next day for a biopsy. She then did a pregnancy test as she wanted to be able to inform the health care professionals about whether or not she was pregnant. That next day, she discovered that she was pregnant and then received the news from her doctor that they found cancer in her breast. This news brought a mix of emotions. Initially Christa did not feel too worried about the diagnosis as nobody in her family had actually died from the illness. However, when she was told that not only would the lump be removed but also the whole breast, it became much more serious and scary for Christa. She still remembers that a support person was called for her to speak with right after she received the news and she really appreciated that. She discovered later on that it was difficult to find information about young pregnant women with breast cancer. Her situation meant that her treatment choices had to include consideration of how it might affect the foetus. Christa decided to undergo a double mastectomy and her chemotherapy was planned in such a way that it could start after the first trimester of her pregnancy. During further testing a tumor on her liver was found that had to be monitored. From then on Christa had an MRI and ultrasound every two weeks. After her treatment and delivery, Christa had surgery to remove 70-80% of her liver and fortunately these tumors were not cancerous. Christa has a healthy son who is growing well. Having gone through so many unusual experiences at her age Christa decided to write a book which she named “I get to keep my vagina, don’t I?”

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• Reconstruction surgery – Christa
  Christa was satisfied with the results even though the tattoo faded over time.
• Messages to others – Christa
  As a teacher, Christa noticed that some children think they can't do something when it is new. She encourages others to give yourself time and then things may be easier.
• How it affects family and friends – Christa
  Christa learned that she had breast cancer on the same day that she discovered she was pregnant. She thinks she could have shared this in a better way with others.
• Challenging emotions – Christa
  Christa experienced postpartum depression right after her breast cancer treatment.
• Understanding the diagnosis – Christa
  Knowing that there is breast cancer in her family Christa wanted to have a baseline screening before getting pregnant.
• Testing and diagnosis – Christa
  Being diagnosed with breast cancer and finding out she was pregnant on the same day was difficult for Christa.
• First symptoms – Christa
  Despite her family history, Christa had to insist on being screened as a baseline when she was only 35.
• Sexuality, femininity and intimacy – Christa
  Christa and her partner were ultimately able to resolve these difficulties.
• Recurrent and metastatic (advanced) breast cancer – Christa
  Facing the possibility of more bad news was extremely difficult for Christa.
• Follow-up care and the risk of recurrence – Christa
  Christa's concerns led her to insist on additional follow-up after being told it was no longer necessary.