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Dec 5, 2008 12:35 pm US/Eastern
Ann Romney Has Pre-Cancerous Breast Lump Removed
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Former Massachusetts first lady Ann Romney has been diagnosed with a precancerous lump in her breast and had surgery to have it removed.
In a statement released Friday, the wife of the former Republican presidential contender said she and Mitt feel fortunate to have caught this early, before it became invasive. It was detected during her annual mammogram.
DCIS is a very early stage cancer that has not spread beyond the milk ducts into surrounding breast tissue.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common major cancer in American women, with about 182,460 new cases and 40,480 deaths expected this year.
Besides the invasive cancers, another 67,770 new cases of non-invasive or in situ cancers are expected. Of these, 85 percent will be DCIS.
Ann Romney, 59, is the mother of five sons. She was diagnosed in 1998 with MS, a neurological disease which initially left her severely debilitated. Through a combination of medication and alternative therapies, including horseback riding, she brought her illness under control and was able to participate fully in her husband's campaign.
Nonetheless, she also was careful to manage her health, not overscheduling herself and taking time off the trail to ride her horses or enjoy more favorable weather at their Utah vacation home or with relatives in southern California.
Earlier this year, she and her husband bought an ocean-front house in La Jolla, Calif., so she could ride more regularly.
While Mitt Romney was running the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and serving as governor of Massachusetts, he said the only thing that would prevent him from running for president was a relapse in his wife's health. Yet during the campaign, the couple said they had passed the point of no return and Mitt Romney was committed to running and, if successful, serving as president even if his wife had a relapse.
Romney ended up losing the GOP nomination to Arizona Sen. John McCain and now spends his time campaigning on behalf of like-minded political candidates.
Ann Romney's full statement:
"Last week, following my annual mammogram at Brigham and Women's Hospital, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Sutu (DCIS). While this is commonly referred to as early stage breast cancer, it is technically not cancer but rather pre-cancer, as it has not become invasive. Today, I have had a lumpectomy. This procedure does not require hospitalization. Mitt and I feel fortunate to have caught this so early. And, it reminds us how important it is for women to have regular mammograms. As in all cases of cancer, early detection is critical. Many families are facing medical hardships--our hearts go out to all of you and also our wishes for healing holidays."
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
