Breast Cancer: Sonja's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Sonja Zeiss-Wengler was 51 when she described breast cancer diagnosed at the end of 2006. She had been under regular gynecologic monitoring because of a hard area in the breast. When her gynecologist noticed that something had changed, she was referred for mammography and was advised to have a biopsy. Sonja first sought a second opinion at a diagnostic breast center. Mammography and biopsy on the same day confirmed cancer in the left breast. The breast was surgically removed, followed by chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Sonja decided against breast reconstruction because function mattered more to her than appearance. Her work had already brought her into contact with people with cancer, so she knew the illness could happen to anyone. Still, the diagnosis changed her feeling of being unharmed and safe in her own body. She dealt openly with the disease, telling people in her sports club and her son’s kindergarten, and even organizing a women’s run for breast cancer. Her son was 4, and his direct questions helped the family stay grounded in daily life. Sonja also founded a self-help group to improve communication between doctors and patients and to support people who wanted a stronger voice in treatment decisions.