Tanja Syre-Goodman of Annapolis, Maryland, was taken aback when she received a breast cancer diagnosis. She had kept up with her yearly mammograms and no one in her family had experienced breast cancer. She scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rubie Jackson, a breast surgeon at the Luminis Health Breast Center.
“It was a fantastic experience,” Syre-Goodman said about her appointment. Dr. Jackson discussed various treatment options with her, and together they decided on a one-sided nipple-sparing mastectomy.
”I was so pleased that Tanja had the option to keep her nipple. A nipple-sparing mastectomy allows a woman to keep all of the skin of her own breast, including her nipple and areola, while the internal breast tissue is removed,” Dr. Jackson explains. “The result is that the reconstructed breast has the most natural appearance possible. Women who have to undergo mastectomy usually are more satisfied with the results of their surgery when their nipple can be preserved.”
After the treatment plan was established, Syre-Goodman found herself counting down the days to surgery. To pass the time, she played golf and went boating to distract herself.
The surgery, which also involved reconstruction by the Luminis Health Plastic Surgery team, was performed in October 2020.
“I know that Dr. Jackson routinely performs these procedures and even instructs others in the field, so I felt I was in really good hands,” Syre-Goodman said. Following the surgery, Dr. Jackson offered a reassuring hug.
Three years later, Syre-Goodman has recovered successfully and maintains an active lifestyle through yoga and kayaking. Her advice to others is, “Take each day as it comes. Every day is a gift.”
