Last year after a routine mammogram at Sutter Imaging, Roseville, Mylissa "Missy" Nance was called in by her radiologist Dennis McDonald, M.D. She had Stage 1 breast cancer.
"It was frightening news, but I appreciated his delivery," Nance says.
Nance recalls how Dr. McDonald went out of his way and rearranged his schedule to do her biopsy, so she didn't have to wait to get all her pathology results. Later, he would come in on his day off for her surgery.
Dr. McDonald referred Nance to the surgical oncology team at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, to learn about her treatment options. Sutter Roseville Breast Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program For Breast Centers (NAPBC) and is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered, state-of-the-art breast care.
"I was panicked at first," Nance says. "Before we saw the surgical oncology team, I talked to my husband Gary about getting a double mastectomy to be on the safe side. But the surgical oncology team really took the time to educate me on my options and listen to my concerns. In the end, we all decided a lumpectomy with radiation would give me the same results as a more drastic surgery. From that initial meeting, I had such confidence in the surgical oncology team. I knew she had the skills to treat my cancer and at the same time provide an aesthetically pleasing result."
Nance was diagnosed in November and had her surgery at Sutter Roseville in January. "After surgery I remember the surgical oncology team coming in to tell me my nodes were all clear," Nance says. "Their sincerity and compassion touched me."
The surgical oncology team's training and expertise in advanced surgical oncology techniques influenced her decision to focus on targeting the tumor while providing optimal cosmetic results. With Nance, the surgical oncology team used a technique referred to as oncoplastic breast conservation surgery, which combines oncologic principles with plastic surgical techniques.
"I was delighted with the results," Nance says. "You couldn't even tell I had surgery. Not only did I look great, I felt great, too."
During Nance's treatment, she also met with the nurse navigator, genetic counselor, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. "Everyone along the way was great, "Nance says. "I truly feel a partnership with my team and the surgical oncology team."
Today Nance is completing her radiation treatment, but is back to practicing yoga and looking forward to her next fishing trip with her husband Gary.