did she go thru double mastectomy in 2015 for DCIS? two of my relatives had similar type of surgery for the same diagnosis several decades ago and I was really mad why none of them consulted with me, granted I was far away at that time. do I have to tell them now or before they would still be alive now whether the monstrous butchering of breasts and psychological permanent scar in the name of the precancerous scare? many of the leading oncologists recommend not to use the terminology of precancerous. we still hear these kinds of travesty in DCIS, prostate cancer and others. when are they(medical community) going to stop this nonsense?
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Screening and detection are the main tools in the handling of cancer. And the new financing for a certain politician's so-called "Cancer Moonshot" diverts funds from early screening programs to advance its research for treatments. Is that game worth the candle?
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
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My heart goes out to Sandra Lee... I too had a surgical biopsy and a diagnosis of DCIS in 2010, yet I have a very different story. Like Ms. Lee I was diagnosed at a young age. I was 44 with two young children. I was told by my medical team I needed very aggressive treatments (mastectomy or partial mastectomy plus several weeks of radiation and years of tamoxifen) -- even though it was a "pre-cancer" -- because the doctors said too little is known about DCIS (stage zero breast cancer) and they do not know if someday down the road it might evolve into full blown invasive breast cancer. so treatment is "preventative." Like Ms. Lee, I was initially in a state of total shock and fear, but after endless hours of research, I learned that studies showed none of the aggressive treatments would extend my life. Thankfully I took the time to get more information and multiple opinions. I am now working as a patient advocate on two major DCIS research projects investigating active surveillance as an option (which is part of standard of care in prostate cancer). I believe women are not fully informed about both benefits and harms of early detection of breast cancer and there is a lot of valuable free information and resources I have compiled on my blog -- www.DCIS411.com
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Isn't there a better, more mature way to describe a 52-year-old businesswoman and breast cancer survivor than "girlfriend"?
Or can we also expect The Times to be describing the governor as Ms. Lee's "longtime live-in boyfriend"?
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I am in awe of Ms. Lee's vigor and vision after her tumultuous upbringing. For those with no abuse in their past please know that the deep and fearless personal work she must have done was monumental. Good for her.
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I applaud her by sharing her struggle with the public, that she’s just a normal human being . But I really hope it will change the way she cooks on her show( i would say on her show because I don’t believe she cooks that way at home , nope) ? More fresh ingredients and less cans ?
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Have met Sandra on several occasions. She is sincere, open and generous; she humanizes the Governor. I applaud that she has allowed us to bear witness to her struggle with cancer and all its ramifications.
Bless her for her good work.
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Applause for Sandra Lee and her openness about her experience and her fight for better detection and treatment.
Breast cancer is everywhere in the media--all the pink merchandise and now the drug ads for metastatic breast cancer--but the disease still affects so many, and it's terrible and deadly.
I'm inspired by Lee's life story and her ability to rise above a tragic childhood. Leave her alone, people, for her processed foods. She's not trying to win a James Beard award, she's trying to help everyday cooks.
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It was interesting to read this shortly after reading the article about how ineffective foundations are in distributing wealth where it's needed.
I applaud Sandra Lee for her important work. The larger question is, how are research funds distributed? Breast cancer is in the public eye thanks to the pink ribbon movement, but when the money is raised, where does it go? And what about the thousands of diseases most of us never hear of because there are no celebrities to shine a spotlight on them?
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Can't help but wonder about the impact of all the processed garbage she was pushing on her show.
Her recipe for soup... started with a can of soup.
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@CKM
Recipe for Green Bean Casserole [which most of us have just eaten] Starts [or maybe ends] with a can of soup, so what?? Y'all mill your own flour??
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We owe Sandra Lee deep gratitude for her commitment to promoting early cancer detection through accessible and affordable screening, especially for breast cancer. And her courage in documenting her cancer experience is a gift to many breast cancer patients and survivors. I had a double mastectomy for breast cancer 6 months ago. As I watched Sandra's surgery I understood for the first time what I had experienced. "So that's what my body looked like," I thought. It was a revelation.
As important as early detection is for a good cancer outcome, so is getting the best possible care immediately after surgery and in the weeks, months and years ahead to reduce the risk of recurrence and new cancers. Cancer patients and survivors can benefit enormously from integrative cancer care, which combines the best of conventional treatment -- surgery, radiation and chemotherapy -- with complementary practices that help deal with side effects from conventional care, reduce the risk of more cancer, and promote overall health and wellness. Anti-cancer diets, more exercise, Eastern practices like yoga and acupuncture, and stress reduction are just some of the available possibilities that we can use.
One of the best new resources on integrative cancer care is the website Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies, www.bcct.ngo. BCCT literally places at your fingertips resources that empowers you to build a cancer care plan that is right for you and promotes health for years to come.
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Seems like a very decent person. "Foodies" hate her, but they may need to re-examine their position. I wish her well.
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I don’t think they hate her because she’s a terrible person, they hate her because her cook show was fairly terrible.
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@FRONTINE LeFEVRE you can respect a person's charitable work and find them decent for that, but you can also have a strong dislike for other aspects of their life. I wasn't aware of her "cooking" career so the comments here got me to go watch a couple of videos. The "foodies" are absolutely correct to call her on what she does (or rather doesn't do) in the kitchen. All she does is reheat prepared food and throw it together. That's the definition of kitchen laziness. Compare that to what Julia Child did, which for me included how to properly cook a lobster and debone a chicken. By comparison Lee is a culinary charlatan. Still I respect what she is doing for cancer research and treatments. You can have it both ways you know?
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@Bookpuppy
No one is/was comparing her to Julia Child. They are two entirely different demographics. "Culinary Charlatan" is a bit harsh. Her "clientele" cares very little about:"how to properly cook a lobster and debone a chicken". They're glad to have another dinner on the table after a hard day's work.
147
An excellent, insightful article which, aside from portraying a rather wonderful woman, surprisingly upgraded my evaluation of Mr. Cuomo.
There is one sentence towards the end that confuses me, however:
"Still, there’s something in her that suggests that she now sees the world in the same winner-take-all prism that Mr. Cuomo often does."
It may be dimness on my part, but I saw nothing in the article which would explain where that was coming from.
Would someone please enlighten me?
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@Brian This *is* a strange one. Maybe the reporter meant and should have used the word “binary”? Because that’s what the quote following from Lee indicates. As in “Did you do good or not? Did you look out for others or not?” And so forth. Only two choices, one good, one “bad” or “not so good.” Which one did you choose?
24
@Berkeley Bee Funny you should mention it, but that sentence actually bedeviled me in the writing and editing as well, right up to the time of publication. In the end, I meant to reflect the underlying sentiment of the quote - that one had to pick sides and pursue one's goals. But, as with all things in writing, I may not have completely nailed it.
80
Screening, early detection, and prevention are so important and are not mentioned nearly enough in the US. So much focus and money are spend on the drug industry and end of life care. Good for Ms. Lee for focusing on screenings. Hopefully governors and legislatures will respond, and that greater access to comprehensive health care will eventually become a reality in our country.
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