What began as a routine breast reduction surgery led to a potentially life-saving discovery. When 45-year-old Kim Burris was recovering at home in Chapel Hill, she received a call that changed her life.
For most of her adult life, Burris thought about getting a breast reduction. She struggled with back pain, clothing that didn’t fit well and constant discomfort.
Three years after having her daughter and going through the journey of breastfeeding, she decided it was time.
“I felt like an imposter in my own body, in many ways,” she said. “I felt like I wanted to do something for myself.”
During the surgery, Raleigh plastic surgeon Dr. Heather Levites noticed something abnormal. She removed the tissue and sent it out for testing.
“Any piece of breast tissue that comes out of your body should be sent to a pathologist,” Levites said.
The results came back as ductal carcinoma in situ, also known as DCIS, the most common form of breast cancer.
DCIS starts in the breast ducts and can spread to surrounding tissue. Early signs include painless lumps in the breast or armpit, redness, changes to the nipple, one breast being larger than the other and a red rash.
“I think for a moment I had one of those out of body experiences,” Burris said when she first received the news. “I was numb, very numb, and shocked because I wasn’t anticipating that. But she did a really great job at putting me at ease and giving me all the facts. I’m a very fact-driven person.”
Burris’ grandmother had breast cancer. She had been getting routine mammograms, which are the best tool for early breast cancer detection. However, the screenings did not pick up the DCIS. The only symptom Burris had was a clogged milk duct, which she associated with breastfeeding.
Levities connected Burris to Dr. Jennifer Plichta, a surgical oncologist at Duke Cancer Center.
Early detection of breast cancer increases survival rates, reduces the risk of cancer spreading to other areas of the body and allows for less invasive treatment options. In addition, it empowers women to take control of their health and provides a sense of control, and reduces anxiety, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Levites said being proactive is the first step in preventive treatment, and self-exams are usually the first indication something is wrong.
“We are our own best advocates. We know our bodies best,” Levites said.
Due to the early detection of DCIS, Burris does not require additional treatment. She said she will continue to take preventative measures and schedule routine check-ups.
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