Rita Wilson shares breast cancer diagnosis to encourage women on getting a second opinion

By MiNDFOOD

Rita Wilson shares breast cancer diagnosis to encourage women on getting a second opinion
Actress Rita Wilson hopes talking about her breast cancer diagnosis will encourage others to get a second opinion.

Rita Wilson has taken to social media to share some difficult and very personal news with the world.

The 58-year-old actress and wife of actor Tom Hanks announced that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone a double mastectomy as well as reconstructive surgery.

In a statement to People magazine Wilson revealed that she had taken leave from a Broadway play  due to the diagnosis and surgery.

“I have taken a leave from the play Fish in the Dark to deal with a personal health issue,” Wilson, who will return to the Broadway play on May 5, said in the statement.

“Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. I am recovering and most importantly, expected to make a full recovery. Why? Because I caught this early, have excellent doctors and because I got a second opinion.”

The actress also revealed that she was originally misdiagnosed but that her gut feeling and some advice from a friend encouraged her to seek a second opinion.

“I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. Recently, after two surgical breast biopsies, PLCIS (pleomorphic carcinoma in situ) was discovered. I mention this because there is much unknown about PLCIS and it is often found alongside DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ). I was relieved when the pathology showed no cancer.”

“However, a friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do. A different pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. His diagnosis of cancer was confirmed by, yet, another pathologist.

Wilson hopes her story will encourage other women in a similar position to do the same and get a second opinion.

“I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key.”

“I feel blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, family, friends and doctors and that I am the beneficiary of advances in the field of breast cancer and reconstruction. I am getting better every day and look forward to renewed health.

“I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn’t ‘feel’ right.”

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