Because of a family history of breast cancer — two aunts on her father's side had the cancer and her grandmother died of it — she was tested to see if she carried a breast cancer gene. Doctors found she had the Breast Cancer 2 gene, which enhances a woman's chances of getting the disease. Five percent to 10% of breast cancer patients inherit the gene, Dillman said.
Since her mastectomy she's also had a hysterectomy and her lymph nodes removed to help stave off any future cancer.
"My big saying through the whole thing was, 'I had cancer, but cancer didn't have me,' " she said, joking that she tried to think about losing her breasts as an opportunity to gain a new pair.
"It may sound really silly and maybe selfish and offbeat, but you have to have laughter through it or you'll never make it. You'd just curl up in a ball," she said.
Losing breasts and ovaries make it doubly difficult to fight the disease, said Sandy Finestone, a psychologist and coordinator of breast cancer services at the Hoag Cancer Center.
"Part of what happens is you feel out of control — your life is turned upside down," said Finestone, a 23-year breast cancer survivor. "The physician is directing your clinical course, so you need something to hold on to and feel like you're in control."
Finestone leads various support groups and retreats for all levels of cancer patients — the newly diagnosed, survivors and those who have had a recurrence. Yoga, gardening workshops and tai chi can help the women relax and focus on what they can control. But more than that, the women in the groups, much like Norseen and her close-knit friends, laugh and share what they're feeling.
"We have fun; we laugh all the time," Finestone said.
