186: Dominique Bieger survived breast cancer | letrozole | aromatase inhibitor | sentinel node | necrosis

In 2024, Dominique Bieger knew something was wrong when she felt a tickling, biting sensation in her left breast.  After a series of mammograms, an echogram, an ultrasound and a vacuum assisted biopsy, she learned she had invasive ductal carcinoma, or breast cancer.  She would have to get a quadrant of the cancerous breast surgically removed.  Dominique was happy to learn she could avoid chemotherapy, instead for hormonal treatment, featuring letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor.  The letrozole left her hands, her feet and joints in severe pain.  She went off the letrozole and is investigating another post-surgery regimen.  Much of the pain is gone, leaving Dominique free to pursue a career as a chef.   When Dominique noticed this irritating sensation in her left breast, she did not immediately seek medical attention.  Because various cousins had been diagnosed with the BRCA mutation, in 2019, Dominique underwent a mammogram which showed she did not have the mutation.  She underwent another mammogram in 2023, which again showed her breasts to be cancer-free.   However, she had another mammogram done in 2025, along with a vacuum assisted biopsy.  Days later, the hospital called her and asked her to come in.  When she did, she was told she had invasive ductal carcinoma in a quadrant of her left breast, and the cancer had to be removed.   After a successful surgical procedure, Dominique was told she would not have to be put on chemotherapy.  Instead, a hormonal regimen would suffice.  Its primary ingredient was letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor.  She also underwent fifteen rounds of radiation treatment.   Dominique said the letrozole was very difficult as it resulted in pain in her hands, feet and joints.  At times, it also made her depressed.  To make matters worse, her work was done on the computer, and she was in too much pain to work. Dominique Bieger is off the letrozole.  She and her care team and trying to craft a regimen that will be effective without resulting in so much pain.   By way of advice, Dominique says if your doctor suggests a certain schedule for you to get a mammogram, to follow that schedule.  It can make the difference between staying in front of breast cancer and getting a diagnosis.   Additional Resources:   Dominique's YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/@DominiqueJoileSmallWonders   Dominique's LinkedIn profile:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-florence-b-80354417