139: Susan Svoboda survived hormone positive breast cancer | estrogen inhibitor | invasive ductal carcinoma | lumpectomy

Susan Svoboda was accustomed to going in for her mammogram every November.  She enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, which included running 65 half marathons.  But in late 2021, after her mammogram, she was called to return to the doctor's office.  After scans and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 1-2 invasive ductal carcinoma.   Given her healthy routine, Susan was shocked, but she quickly had to turn her attention to her treatment.  In 2022, she underwent a successful lumpectomy.  Because of the location of the lump, and her low Oncotype DX score, the oncologist told Susan she would not have to undergo chemotherapy.  Instead, she would need to get radiation treatment, 15 rounds over three weeks; but her oncologist also suggested her regimen include estrogen inhibitor pills for the next five years.   Susan consulted reading materials and talked to numerous women who had tried the pills.  All of them had something to say that helped her to make the difficult decision to refuse the estrogen inhibitors.   Susan Svoboda found her way to survivorship.  She says that while she doesn't do half marathons, she still some light running and goes walking every day. Her journey inspired her to spend 2022 writing a book, "I Hate The Color Pink."  She says the satisfaction that comes from writing the book is its spreading a message of information and hope.   By way of advise, Susan advises women to get their mammograms and when dealing with doctors to ask questions, lots of questions.   Addition Resources:   Susan Book, available on Amazon: "I Hate The Color Pink"