Patient Story: Dikla*
Dikla, 40, from Los Angeles, was first diagnosed in 2002 with stage 3 breast cancer. Two years later, it changed to stage 4 when bone metastases were clearly evident. PET/CT scans showed a sub-centimeter speck on her T7 vertebrae (thoracic spine). But a year after chemotherapy and radiation, Dikla developed excruciating back pain. In 2004, another PET/CT scan and biopsy found a growing tumor on her spine (where the “speck” was first found), which caused a fracture and threatened her spinal cord. Soon after radiation treatments began, the tumor was removed surgically. While she still has metastases – small but stable lesions in her lungs diagnosed in 2007 – none are present in her bones. Dikla sees an oncologist and an integrative oncologist** simultaneously at UCLA.
Bone metastases were not discussed when Dikla was first diagnosed, but she found out about bone health issues through support groups. Dikla said the focus was on the breast cancer rather than bone problems.
As a self-described patient activist – she works out, takes vitamin supplements and participates in support groups at UCLA and online – Dikla says she would have liked a patient advocate to guide her at the very beginning.
*Patient testimonials were collected separately from the Harris Interactive Survey and are not affiliated with Harris Interactive.
**UCLA has a Center for Integrative Oncology.
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Photo: Getty Images
