Topic: The "BEST" Kind of Breast Cancer!!!

You know, I've struggled with this a lot. We have cancer. That is not good. But, it changes what the norm is for us. So, now that we have cancer, we get really excited about no nodes, clean scans, and easier-to-treat types of cancers.

And it really all sucks, because it's still cancer, and it requires treatments that may alter us forever. Mentally, if not physically.

I've been through this twice. Having the "good" cancer that does not require chemo seems to make everyone think I'm fine, the same as I was before cancer and surgeries and treatments. I've learned to let it go. No one really understands except for those who have been there.

Hang in, and congrats on having a non-aggressive cancer. That really is good, if you have to have the bad!

Anne

I too have the 'good' kind of cancer.  Although having been through this 10 years earlier and hearing 2 years ago that I had it again, I have to admit that I liked hearing that it was the 'good' kind to have.....much better than hearing that it was aggressive and needed EXTREME treatment. My breast surgeon referred to it as a wimpy kind of cancer.  Although when I saw my oncologist after the biopsy, the first words out of his mouth were 'you have invasive breast cancer' and he was ready to throw the whole gambit at me.  It was kind of cool being able to say 'whoa, but it's totally tubular'....LOL....I can laugh now, then it was very funny!! Luckily I also knew about the Oncotype DX test and requested it which turned around my oncol whole way of thinking AND also in my favor, the Texas Symposium had just (the day before my next appt) released and presented their findings at the cancer center that I use, about less chemo/more hormonals for early stage bc. So by the time I got to my appointment, I didn't need to argue at all, my oncologist was on the same page with me.    Best wishes

Hmmm. I guess I think of it this way: it's not pancreatic cancer. It's not lung cancer. I try to remember that the docs have to bring so much bad news to quite a few people. I think they hope we, the recipients of "good" news, are glad to hear it. I think it makes their day to be able to provide good news.

If we aren't happy to get it, it sounds like maybe we have a little more work to do on the acceptance phase. I looked through all my paperwork and sure enough, there was no guarantee that I wouldn't get cancer.

My radiation oncologist said - Boy, for such a nothing tumor, you sure have had a lot of problems! My husband says that it was plenty of cancer for us, thanks.

We still had to wait for the mammogram, go through the biopsy and lumpectomy or mastectomy, wait for path results.

I only missed 2 days of work for surgery, and, if I hadn't gotten an infection, that would have been my only time off work.

Dr Love's Breast Book talks about a failed study where Grade 1 women were randomized for radiation vs no radiation - we still need it. That's really the only research I've seen on Grade 1's, any body have more information? 

One thing that I think we should do, proactively is at least discuss mammosite or other kinds of brachytherapy with radiation oncologists.

But it was still a life-changing experience for me, and is, every night when I take my hormone pill. Wow - Anne, TWICE? Yuck.

Sue

One of my cousin-in-laws (my husband, an only child, has 32 first cousins who are also only children or one of two), had brachytherapy almost 10 years ago, in New Orleans, and is still NED.

She talked me into asking - I managed to get it, then got a serious infection, and ended up with external high density 10 treatment. I still think internal is the way to go.

Sue

Kaye, I'm sure I would feel EXACTLY the same way that you do if I lost my breast and the cancer wasn't invasive.  In fact, I think they would have had a hard time convincing me that I should have surgery....perhaps, stupidly on my part.  I'm kind of stubborn about losing body parts.  In hind sight though (and perhaps it will make you feel better), IF i had done the mast 10 years ago (but I wasn't EVEN close then to coming to terms with losing my breast), I PROBABLY wouldn't have been dealing with a new primary in the same breast 2 years ago.  I'm sorry you had to go through this and I really wish the cancer establishment would find some kinder ways of dealing with this.  Best wishes

CanuckinTX:  I like your handle - I'm originally from TX, living in WA just a stone's throw from the Canadian border.  Anyway, it would be highly irritating to have people react with 'you have the best kind of cancer' or otherwise minimalize it.  Regardless, it has changed your life - you have been touched by the big "C", and that will always be with you.  And to anybody who would say something like that, I would have to ask them if they really believe that there is a 'best kind of cancer'.  When I was first diagnosed, still reeling from the news and the first couple of ops to try to get clean margins, I applied for my short-term disability.  The first thing the guy says to me when I tell him why was:  Lots of people have breast cancer, and they still work.  I wish now I had been on top of things and gotten that jerk's name.  Take care and may your news always be positive!