Judy Blume Cancer: Famous Author Battling Common Form Of Breast Cancer

Judy Bloom’s cancer diagnosis has caused the classic children’s author to undergo a mastectomy and take a break from writing, she announced through a blog post this morning.

The author of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, Time reported. Judy Blume’s cancer is an invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which was discovered in its early and small stages.

IDC is the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for 80 percent of all cases. It occurs when a tumor forms in the duct and moves into the fatty tissue of the breast. Judy Blume said she was given the option of having a lumpectomy and radiation but instead chose to have a mastectomy and reconstruction with a silicone implant.

The cancer news hit Judy Blume hard, CNN reported. When she got the call about her results of a core biopsy Blume was on her way to Italy for a trip, but the doctor told her the news couldn’t wait.

Blume wrote that she was shocked at learning about the cancer:

“There’s no breast cancer in my family (recent extensive genetic testing shows no genetic connection). I haven’t eaten red meat in more than 30 years. I’ve never smoked, I exercise every day, forget alcohol – it’s bad for my reflux – I’ve been the same weight my whole adult life. How is this possible? Well, guess what – it’s possible.”

In her typical fashion, Judy Blume wrote about her cancer with candor and even a little humor, writing:

“I have small breasts (a la Margaret Simon). A-cups? The breast surgeon asked at our first meeting. She nailed it. I told her the exercises didn’t work for me. Not sure she got my attempt at a joke. Like Margaret I used to think bigger was better. But my dense, small breasts aged well. They stayed perky while other body parts sagged. I’d become quite fond of them. Still, the idea of mastectomy wasn’t a difficult emotional decision for me (again, these are very personal reactions and decisions). Maybe because my breasts have never defined my sexuality. Who knows?”

Judy Blume’s cancer already impacted her work, causing her to cut down the number of book signings scheduled this summer and even keeping her from writing for a stretch. Blume said she hopes to get a doctor’s note so she can begin typing an hour at a time for work on her latest novel.