Breast Cancer Diaries: Dr. Anjeanette Brown
Interview by Jennifer Cooper
Photography by Dave Cooper
“The reason I even considered breast surgery is because of my grandmother, Frances. Both she and her sister, my Aunt Birdie, were breast cancer survivors.”
Throughout the month of October, we’re sharing personal stories of women affected by breast cancer. This is part 5 of our series. Here are links to part 1, 2, 3, & 4.
New Jersey-based breast surgeon Dr. Anjeanette Brown wants her patients to know they can ask her anything. And if they don’t ask her, she’ll probably bring it up.
Why?
Because she knows breast cancer wreaks havoc on more than your breast tissue. It can damage your relationships, sex life, finances, and emotional well-being. In short, all the messy things we try to keep hidden are going to come out. And they’re going to need tending to.
I originally met Anjeanette in an airport in San Diego, where I was catching a flight home with her sister, filmmaker Carla Joelle Brown, with whom I’ve collaborated on a travel series called My Dear America. We grabbed drinks and a few snacks at a restaurant in one of the terminals and got to talking. We skipped right over the small talk and got deep down into the real stuff. Dr. Brown is my kind of woman.
Her openness, empathy, and candor are also why I knew I had to talk to her for this series. I was able to catch up with her as she juggles her busy practice, kids, and marriage while also trying to find a rare quiet moment for herself.
She exudes warmth and intelligence and I can see why her patients both love and trust her.
JC: Dr. Brown! Okay, so I want to get into why you do the work you do, but first I have to ask about your time in the Navy. What made you enlist?
AB: History? I have family members that have served in the armed forces since WWII. But the main reason I enlisted in the Navy was to pay for medical school. I also wanted to be near water, which is why I chose it over the Army or Air Force. It’s a very silly way to choose your life course, but here we are. I went to the Middle East while on active duty and was involved in USNS COMFORT deployment during 9/11. I loved my time in the US Navy! I miss my shipmates.
JC: Why did you focus on breast surgery? Did you have a personal connection?
AB: Yes. The reason I even considered breast surgery is because of my grandmother, Frances. Both she and her sister, my Aunt Birdie, were breast cancer survivors. And their mother had some type of gynecologic cancer, which she died from. So there’s a family history. Of course, they never really spoke about it because of generational nonsense. But I think because of their experiences, Frances suggested that I consider breast surgery instead of pediatric surgery or trauma surgery, which were my other two loves.
Image from Premier Surgical Network Instagram Account
JC: Can we talk about cancer rates? Are they really on the rise?
AB: There are so many variables involved with breast cancer. Not only are there different types, there are also different aggressiveness profiles determined by multiple factors. And then there are different stages. For instance, Black women are more likely to get triple negative cancer, which is the more aggressive kind of breast cancer.
But rates could be higher purely from better detection modalities, like 3D mammogram/breast MRI/in office ultrasound capability, better overall patient education, and exposure to information and treatment options.
JC: Let’s talk about something you just mentioned. Black women often get the more aggressive kind of cancer. As I was doing my research for this series, so much of the conversation revolved around white women. Why do you think that is? Especially since it’s often more fatal for Black women.
AB: I think a couple things are at play here. First, white women have had the platform longer because of Susan G. Komen and the National Cancer Society. Of course there are plenty of African American women who would gladly speak on the topic.
For a lot of women of color, they’re the head of the household so there’s no time to be concerned about the thing you feel in your boob. That’s why they sometimes end up coming in with cancers that are more advanced. So while white women do get triple negative cancer, they get to me earlier.
My most tragic stories are about women of color. I had a patient who was Middle Eastern, only 32, had young kids and a young husband. She was already metastatic by the time she got to me.
JC: That’s heartbreaking.
AB: Yeah. And now with the stimulus checks being delayed, there are even more social economic factors. That has a ripple effect on women’s health. People were really relying on that money. And there are also a lot of people of color whose lives depend on the service industry, which has been hit hard. So now they have to ask themselves the questions, “Do I take the kid to get school supplies they need? Or do I pay to get a check up?”
JC: This whole thing is a mess. So much needs to change. Let me ask you, what’s the number one question you get from your patients?
AB: “Am I going to die?” Followed by, “Do I need chemo?” It’s not always a chemo conversation. It’s not the same cancer and not always the same in every woman. There are so many variables including if you’re pre-, peri-, or post-menopausal. How much estrogen you have can also be at play.
JC: Okay, yes, let’s talk about hormones. Cause I feel like this is where we talk about cancer but also about sex.
AB: I ask my patients, “Hey are all these hormones affecting you?” It’s interesting. Women over 60 say, “That part of our life is over.” Women who are in their 50s and younger don’t know who to talk about sex with. Do you go to the medical oncologist? The radiation oncologist? Both of those specialists are kinda nerdy and booksmart. They’re not necessarily the ones you want to talk to about sex. So I’ll bring it up.
JC: Yes! Someone needs to talk about it.
AB: No one refuses the conversation if I bring it up. So we figure it out. Now we can’t do hormone replacement because most of the time women have hormone-driven cancer. Estrogen keeps the vaginal vault plump like an over-moisturized sponge. That’s what we want. But now that we’ve taken out your ovaries or we put you on hormone suppressor, you’ve gone from this wonderful super plump sponge to a piece of tissue paper. So women have tearing and pain.
So I suggest organic coconut oil because it gives you a barrier. A lot try Astroglide at first and that gets things started, but again, we’re going for plumpness and lube doesn’t do the trick. Organic coconut oil gives you a nice thick paste that sticks around longer. You can also use almond oil if you want to add a flavor for your partner.
JC: Okay, I’m taking notes. I’m 44 and perimenopause is coming for me.
AB: Well, I’ll tell you this: I have one ovary and perimenopause hasn’t affected intimacy yet.
The work of breast cancer doctors like Anjeanette isn’t just important, it’s vital. Not only in terms of removing breast cancer from our bodies but in seeing us as whole women with complex lives and experiences. Women who need an income to take care of ourselves, healthy relationships to support us, and joy and pleasure in our lives to keep us going.
That is something we can’t lose sight of in the discussion of Breast Cancer Awareness. Yes, we need to get our mammograms and yes, we need to do monthly self checks. But most of all, we need the ability to take care of ourselves. And that comes in the form of support from each other and access to medical professionals like Dr. Brown. Let’s make sure we give each other those dignities.
Here’s a sneak preview of our next story…
Donna
In 2009 Donna Miracle was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a series of treatments that included radiation, chemo, and removing a tumor from her breast, she felt like she could get back to raising her young daughter and trying to salvage her marriage.
Five years later, just after her 40th birthday, a doctor told her what no one wants to hear. The cancer was back and it was in stage four.
But before you get sad, know that this isn’t a story about dying. This is a story about living.
Additional editing on this piece was provided by Kathy Cornwell
Additional story development for this series was provided by Cassie Boorn