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Tumor Marker Increases Within Normal Range
Has anyone had experience with tumor markers increasing within the normal range? Since completing chemo/rads/mx after stage IV diagnosis (one unconfirmed met to the sacrum) I had been staying in the 13-14 range on the CA 15-3. I just had it increase to 19.6. I know that's a "normal" range, but it is still concerning to me.…
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I've Finished 5 years of Tamoxifen!
I took my last Tamoxifen pill yesterday and I'm happy about that. I didn't think I could make it through the entire 5 years. It was really a struggle and balancing act to take a daily pill that aggravated my throat/stomach without destroying it. I've been taking a lot of PPI medication which I hope I can decrease soon. I'm…
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Interpreting Mammograms: Calcifications
from the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Boot Camp
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Implant reconstruction after radiation
I have a recurrence of DCIS in my right breast. In 2017 I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I now need to have a mastectomy and I’m hoping to have an implant reconstruction, rather than the DIEP flap. Most of the conversations I’ve found on the success of an implant reconstruction years after having radiation are pretty old.…
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Upcoming Oncoplasty Lumpectomy
I’m having the surgery with reduction & lift next week. Hoping to go home same day. Can anyone share what their recovery was like? I’m off work on an (unpaid) medical leave, but live on a farm and single parent teens so I’m usually kinda busy. Thx
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tubular carcinoma
Anyone out there also diagnosed with tubular carcinoma? I know it is a rare kind, rarely spreads, is highly estrogen positive and has a good prognosis. If you have tubular carcinoma, I am wondering about your treatment. I had lumpectomy, radiation, and tamoxifen. I am curious to know if all of this treatment is necessary…
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Surgical Options
I was just diagnosed and am deciding between treatment options. I am already scheduled for surgery but now I am having doubts about the Lumpectomy and subsequent radiation therapy. In my honest opinion, I now feel that the mastectomy could be the better choice due to avoiding the radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Feeling…
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Ibrance Users greater than 24 months
How many of us have used Ibrance (plus an antiestrogen) greater than 24 months - even those who have moved on to next line of treatment. Apparently, the median PFS on this combo is now 27.6 months. For bone mets only the median PFS at 36.2 months. Data is from the Paloma 2 trial.
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I have a question for my mom
My mom just diagnosed with recurrence and we are waiting for the PET scan to see if it’s local or there is Mets the doctor is saying it’s unlikely to be Mets as the biopsy result shows ki67 is 10 % and The tumor size if 10mm my mom still worries and she is asking if they believe there is no Mets why they are doing a PET…
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Anyone experienced numbness and tingling on one side of your body?
My bc diagnosis was in 2021 and I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy 12/21, followed by radiation 3/22. I was 71 at the time. My diagnosis was pure mucinous, clear margins, no lymph node spread, grade 2, stage 1.About a month ago I experienced complete numbness of my right leg and foot from the groin down. It lasted…
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letrozole and Coughing
“My mother has MBC to lungs She’s taking Letrozole. After three months, she started coughing and complains of a dry throat. Is coughing a side effect of the treatment?
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PET Scan
Hi I am wondering at what point will the oncologist order a PET scan. Is it mostly for patients with a high risk or symptoms of other issues? Or can I request one just to be sure that I am "all good"? Just anxious to see if I have or not have any other thing going on. I have a diagnostic mammogram and MRI coming up in…
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Pain Before Diagnosis
Hi everyone. I’m hoping you guys can give me some information or ideas. I have seen my ob and I have a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound scheduled in 4 days. I’m wondering about the pain. It is my biggest symptom. The pain started out like I was cold. It wasn’t very painful, but my nipple hurt like I stepped into very…
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US CDC guidelines for Lung Cancer screening
In the US, CDC does have a guideline for lung screening. And for some reason, lung screening, is not as widely known as colorectal or breast screening. But nonetheless, the language on their site does not include those whom have had breast cancer or have gone thru breast cancer treatments under the "whom should be…
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Will 30% of Early Stage (1-IIIA) go on to metastasize??
So I started this question in another thread but was hoping for additional feedback. With MBC awareness day last weekend, a stat is going around that caught my attention. Basically says that 30% of early stage BC patients will eventually have their bc metastasize AFTER adjuvant treatment. Susan G. Komen even states it here…
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Mucinous Carcinoma of the breast
On April 21st I had a core biopsy and today I was told that I have mucinous carcinoma of the breast. When I investigated on this website, the information given was that this is a rare type of cancer, about 2-3% of all breast cancers and usually occurs in post-menopausal women over the age of 60. I am neither. I am 51 years…
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Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Radiation Thread
Gather here to share experiences, ask question, get encouragement, and support others who are going through radiation therapy along with you. Please share your diagnosis, any previous treatment you've had, and your scheduled start date along with your radiation schedule. We're all here for you!
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Pathology Report- how long?
May I ask how long typically does it take before you receive your pathology report from surgery? I am through week one starting week two. I’m anxious because those results are what will give me more info as to my treatment plan and what to expect going forward. I know waiting is THE WORST.
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Gemcitabine / Carboplatin
Anyone have any experience or tips on this combo. I’m starting this combo on the 19th Nov since Ibrance/Falsodex and Xeloda failed after 11 months in. Thank you in advance for any tips or suggestions. I got my port placed Wednesday. Thanks so much, Karen
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Breaking Research News from sources other than Breastcancer.org
I watch for research news on breast cancer, treatments, etc., and frequently see interesting articles. There is a topic on BCO called "Breaking Research News from Breastcancer.org." One of the moderators suggested that another topic might be appropriate for posting links and synopses of reports on research found elsewhere.…
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Any stage IV surviving 5+ years ?
When you look up stats for stage IV they’re dismal, yet I continue to see lots of longer term survivors on this site. Some were given a year or two. Would love to hear how many are there and how life’s is for you. I’m coming up on three years and just failed with letrozole. MO says plenty options sti
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Panic attack, sadness and breathing exercise
Hi everybody I'm usually happy and try to have my normal life, but sometimes I just feel like I'm going deeper snd deeper in to sadness, or having a strong panic attack . Especially now that I fpund out my cancer is back in my liver, after only an year of Ribociclib. I tough it was supposed to last 5 or 6 year, but not for…
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Has anyone else used black seed oil?
I am just curious if anyone else has been using black seed oil for breast cancer (nigella sativa) and the results they have experienced. I have been taking it for a few months and I am (so far anyways) stable. I am wondering if I stumbled across a hidden gem or am I the last to know about this stuff?!
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Extreme fatigue on Arimidex
Ive been in Arimidex for a year and 3 months. I started out only taking it every other day as I was afraid if side effects. Until 2 months ago when my MO said he "hoped" it would work. Sigh. So I am now taking 5 instead of 4 days a week. Probably no difference in effect. Since on Arimidex, I have had joint pain,…
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Breast lump, firm. Hope!
Last 2 nights my hands found a lump in my left breast. It's large, smooth, but firm and doesn't seem to move. It's doesn't hurt much. Like all the others, I panicked. I am 4 months postpartum, with a history of cystic breast bilateral. I recall to have a 1.5cm cysts on the same side I felt the lump. But I didn't think much…
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Bilateral mastectomy
I had a nipple sparing bilateral mastectomy on 4/1/24. Invasive carcinoma on the left and two spots of DCIS on the right. Lymph nodes were clear. I’m waiting for the Onco results. I am very anxious, and hoping that I won’t need chemo. Recovery has been tough, but I’m only 6 days post op. Pain management has been a…
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The Next Person Game
In this game you make a statement about the next person. The next person answers true or false to that statement. They then make a statement for the next person, and so on. Example: If the person before me stated - The next person owns a dog. I would answer - True - and add my statement - The next person has curly hair.…
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flax seed oil & cottage cheese
Yesterday I read flax seed oil & cottage cheese can cure cancer. Has anyone heard anything about it? There are a lot of testimonies of people whose cancers disappeared after using it. That with a few other remedies would be easier, affordable and I wouldn't have to have surgery. I need to speak with my naturpathic doctor…
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Pain management
Pain is complicated. Everyone is different and levels of pain differ, so our doctors have a difficult job sorting it all out, but I have the impression that female patients are not taken very seriously when we complain about our aches and pains, including not taking ourselves very seriously sometimes. l We are conditioned…
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Anyone with Rotter’s Nodes Metastases??
My surgical consult thinks my recent recurrence involves the Rotter’s Nodes and surrounding pectoral muscles . They are trying to come up with a plan to treat it locally but everyone seems to be scratching their heads about how to approach it. I am now being sent to a thoracic surgeon for a consult. Not instilling a lot of…