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Release Date: 9/30/2009
Fenton Woman Battles Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Karen Provance, a two-year survivor of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, celebrates her 64th birthday with her husband, Richard (Scott) Provance, at their home in Fenton.
For Karen Provance, 64, the date Nov. 17, 2006 will be remembered forever as the day that “life, as I knew it, changed forever.” It was the day she was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
“I thought my world had come to an end,” said Provance, a Fenton resident. “My dad had breast cancer some 50 years ago, and he had a mastectomy and lived another 20 years. But I never thought I’d have breast cancer – and certainly not this young. I was simply devastated!”
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is an advanced, aggressive form of breast cancer that usually does not produce a lump or tumor and is not readily detected by mammograms or ultrasound. A rare cancer, it is identified in only 1.3 percent of all breast cancer patients, and usually is found in younger women and in African-Americans. Its symptoms are similar to those of mastitis, a breast infection.
Provance’s gynecologist noticed some abnormalities in her right breast during a regular gynecological exam, and sent her for further testing. After leaving the doctor’s office, Provance joined some friends for dinner, mentioning to them that she had been experiencing some pain in her breast. One concerned friend suggested she go on-line to view a previously aired Channel 4 news program that had discussed the 10 symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. (See list below.)
“I discovered I had eight of the 10 symptoms,” Provance said. “I was so scared, I was just numb.”
The diagnosis was confirmed through a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, followed by a surgical biopsy. Provance had all of her medical records transferred to St. Anthony’s Medical Center, where Oncologist Michael Gu, M.D., ordered and monitored her chemotherapy and Surgeon Sylvia Steiling, M.D., performed her mastectomy. Following surgery, Provance underwent radiation treatments.
Dr. Gu said he has seen only three or four cases of IBC in his five years of practice. “Inflammatory Breast Cancer is considered one of the most aggressive breast cancers; and its treatment requires a multi-disciplinary team, including a surgeon, pathologist, radiologist, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist,” Dr. Gu said. “With most breast cancers, surgery is performed first. With IBC, you first must shrink the tumor with chemotherapy, then perform surgery. There is no lumpectomy with IBC, because the recurrence rate is too high; it’s always a mastectomy. After surgery, the patient must undergo local radiation, because the cancer is diffused and grows through the lymphatic system.”
Additionally, through routine screening for cancer markers, Provance was found to be positive for the HER-2 gene, Dr. Gu said. “Fortunately, we have good drugs to target that gene,” he said. “While the five-year survival rate for IBC is now up to 50 percent, we will be watching Karen very carefully. But so far, so good – she is doing well.”
The months following her diagnosis, including surgeries and treatments, were emotionally and physically draining, Provance said. Her husband, Richard (Scott), her children and two close friends who “put their lives on hold to haul me to medical appointments” helped pull her through. “And God was on my shoulder, taking me through it all,” she said.
“I felt like I lived at St. Anthony’s for awhile,” Provance said, smiling and shaking her head. “I always said I could be a tour guide for St. Anthony’s by the time I finished my treatments. But I had excellent care and they were the kindest people I’ve ever seen. It was such a cheery atmosphere, and they made you feel like family. I loved it there.”
On May 16, 2007, Dr. Gu told Provance she was cancer-free. “I can’t praise my doctors enough – they saved my life,” Provance said. “I could call Dr. Gu any time, day or night, if I was having problems. He personally called me at home, just to see how I was doing. I’ve never had a doctor do that before.”
The following month, June, 2007, Provance’s friends and family members walked in her honor in the annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. They participated again in 2008 and 2009; and, at this year’s event, they wore t-shirts bearing her likeness. Provance was unable to join them, but provided her cheers – and a few tears – from the sidelines.
Today, two years later, Provance said her equilibrium and dexterity are not quite back to normal, and she still experiences some burning and itching of her skin from the radiation treatments. But she is back at her job as an administrative assistant for the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Chamber of Commerce, where she works three days a week; and she’s grateful to be “alive and, for the most part, back to normal,” she said.
“There are scars on the inside and out; but, so far, I beat a horrible disease and can only praise God for the miracles He performed,” Provance said. “But I would stress to other women, of all ages, ‘Know your body.’ I was 61 years old, had stage 3 aggressive cancer and had no clue. I didn’t pay close attention to my body. Unless it was something really unusual, I didn’t notice.
“Now, every day I thank God for my wonderful doctors, compassionate caregivers and loving family and friends whose concern and generosity will sustain me for a lifetime.”
One of more of the following are typical symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer:
- Swelling, usually sudden, sometimes a cup size in a few days
- Itching
- Pink, red or dark-colored area, sometimes with texture similar to the skin of an orange
- Ridges and thickened areas of the skin
- What appears to be a bruise that does not go away
- Nipple retraction
- Nipple discharge, may or may not be bloody
- Breast is warm to the touch
- Breast pain, from a constant ache to stabbing pains
- Change in color and texture of the areola
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.
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