Hollywood actress and producer Rita Wilson has always kept a close eye on her breast health. For many years, she and her healthcare team monitored her diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – a condition in which abnormal cells form in the milk glands – through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. LCIS is not cancer, but women with LCIS have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Later, a suspicious finding in a scan prompted two surgical biopsies, and the initial diagnosis for Wilson was pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS) – a slightly riskier version of LCIS, but still not cancer. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. “A friend who had had breast cancer suggested I get a second opinion on my pathology and my gut told me that was the thing to do,” Wilson explained. The next pathologist – and following that, yet another for good measure – found invasive lobular carcinoma, a type of actual breast cancer that originates in the milk glands.

Wilson was lucky to catch her breast cancer diagnosis early. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction and has since fully recovered. She felt it was important to publicize her story and concluded her statement with a strong recommendation:

“I share this to educate others that a second opinion is critical to your health. You have nothing to lose if both opinions match up for the good, and everything to gain if something that was missed is found, which does happen. Early diagnosis is key. I hope this will encourage others to get a second opinion and to trust their instincts if something doesn’t ‘feel’ right.”

If you have doubts about a recent medical diagnosis, please reach out to SecondOpinions.com. We have experts in multiple specialties who can review your case quickly and cost-effectively.