Ladies in their 30s

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Comments

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2014

    Hello all,

    I have a question did anyone NOT get a oncotype and still get chemo?  I am er+pr-her2+ I also am brca2+   I was dx stage1 no lymph node involvement  the size of tumor was 9mm.  I am also 34 years old.  I am wondering how common is it to not have oncotype I had a different tool dr used online that had a huge reduce in reoccurence with chemo.  I really did not think I would need chemo and thought I would be placed on hormonal therepy.  I was wrong.  should I be this aggressive please help I need oponions?

  • h0pe
    h0pe Member Posts: 46
    edited May 2014

    I think for her2+ tumors, they might give chemo and Herceptin automatically, so they don't do oncotype. I could be wrong. There's a triple positive thread that might have more info for you. 

  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 57
    edited May 2014

    cammychris - h0pe is correct HER+ means chemo. I did not get an oncotype test because they would have had to test all 18 tumors and that would have cost too much so I went straight to chemo.

  • Cammychris
    Cammychris Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2014

    The thing with me is I am her2- I guess I was walking in thinking I was not going to need it but I guess due to my age and brca2+ testing he thinks I should have it.  I guess I am slowly understanding why he feels this way.

  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 57
    edited May 2014

    Cammy - if you are HER- then it is weird that they did not do oncotype on you. BRCA does not affect the need for chemo. BRCA+ usually gets you prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy. Did they explain what are their reasons behind recommending chemo? In my case both the MO and RO gave clear explanation and list of reasons why I needed chemo and rads.

  • clarrn
    clarrn Member Posts: 160
    edited May 2014

    I did not get oncotype as it wasn't funded here.  Our tumor stats are very similar.   I was told that I would not need chemo if I had not had lymph node involvement.   And my lymph node tumor was  than my primary :(  

  • clarrn
    clarrn Member Posts: 160
    edited May 2014

    Oops and my primary was 9mm also

  • FairyDogMother
    FairyDogMother Member Posts: 154
    edited June 2014

    Radical2Squared-  

    I was 36 with no kids and 10 years of two masters degree. I have no female parts left after treatment. I hate the Fermara pill I have to take for the next 5 years.   I fight for my dogs, my lover, and my friends.  We all have ups and downs, just remember you have support. What will be weird is when strangers come to give you support. 

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,636
    edited June 2014

    Hi All, If you haven't already submitted your story to us, and are interested, we're featuring our members who were diagnosed in their thirties, or younger to share as an inspiration. Also, send a photo (send to community@breastcancer.org or PM us). Many thanks!

  • melp27
    melp27 Member Posts: 295
    edited June 2014

    hello ladies 

    just turned 30 a few days ago! Im in australia. Im single with no kids. Diagnosed in 2011, have done all treatment now on tamoxifen going on 3 years now. Awaiting a date for reconstruction surgery on the left side. Also have a fibroid (oh joy) so that is giving me grief..they dont want to take it out unless it gives me really bad symptoms because i do want to try and have kids one day.

  • kimie06
    kimie06 Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2014

    suckitBC - I am almost 3 months post chemo and feel like I am 110 with body aches, joints etc.  its ridiculous...37 year old, walk 4-7 km every day hoping to rid myself of the aches and pains

  • sandj
    sandj Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2014

    Hi ladies,

    I was diagnosed in 2012 at the age of 31 when I was 13 weeks pregnant. I am married with 2 boys, 1 and 3 years old. I completed chemo, surgery and radiation. I continue to take herceptin and perjeta every 3 weeks and am currently undergoing reconstructive surgery. I also continue to work and am trying slowly to find a new "normal." I still really struggle with low energy.

  • Badboobs
    Badboobs Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2014

    hi hoping I can join your group I'm 31 diagnosed yesterday breast cancer surgery and treatment over the next few weeks two years ago I had discharge and extreamly sore breast I have had u/s since I was 28 due to mother diagnosed with stage 5 aggressive breast cancer at 38 my mum is still. With me yes she beat it twice she is my hero and my rock right now so the u/s showed a mass two years ago which was biopsied with inconclusive results from there I saw 5 specialists and surgeons due to mastitis after mastitis so in febuary this year surgeon decided to attempt micrductectomy which he failed so this brings me to last Friday decided to head to top breast clinic and had another biopsy done which they said looked like a papilloma got a phone call yesterday confirming what I knew two years ago intraductal carcinoma I'm so grateful my gp didn't give up on me or I would hate to see me in a years time has anyone on here had a similar experience thank you 

  • suckitbc
    suckitbc Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2014

    kimie-thanks, it makes me feel better that I'm not alone! I feel like the pain is getting worse, cancer sucks!

  • milkyway2
    milkyway2 Member Posts: 186
    edited June 2014

    Hi i am 40 have 3 teenagers .had cancer twice and reconstruction cancer took away my health and husband .because of cancer i am able to recognize who is sincere .i can see the world in different angle .cancer taught me to enjoy small things n life sometimes i wonder how would my life be if i had not been diagnosed with cancer.

    How many ways cancer changed  your life?

  • soriya123
    soriya123 Member Posts: 384
    edited June 2014

    cancer taught me to appreciate my husband more.  since day one, he such a wonderful dad and husband but i kno in the past sometime i expect too much out of him.  i wish to be with him for a long time.

  • FL_sunshine
    FL_sunshine Member Posts: 42
    edited June 2014

    I was diagnosed in April, exactly one week before my 32nd birthday.  What a whirlwind!  Life got crazy, then crazier, and I'm not sure if it will ever return to normal.  I am looking forward to being done with treatment and being able to look back at this and call it a "bump in the road".  Just wanted to say HI to everyone! 

  • yensmiles
    yensmiles Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2014

    FL-sunshine, how's the coldcap going? I so wished i could have it..but not available in my country..same goes with the frozen gloves .. :(

    dropping in to say hi and hope that everyone's doing well enough..

    kimi, 4-7km daily sounds fabulous! i'm looking forward to doing that and joining zumba classes once chemo+radiotherapy finishes.. :)

  • elabee
    elabee Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2014

    I wanted to chime in. I originally found my lump when I was 33 in and the doctor said not to worry about it that was December 2012. Fast forward almost a year later, 3 months into a new job and it turns out I have breast cancer. 

    I did an IVF cycle and was able to retrieve one embryo. A month later, I found out that I'm negative for BRCA mutation but have Li-Fraumeni syndrome which has a 50-50 chance of being passed on. 

    My twin also tested positive for the same syndrome but thankfully is cancer-free for now. She faces the prospect of a prophylactic mastectomy.

    I'm nearly done with treatment. Not 100% happy with my reconstruction but that's another story.

    Despite all this, I try to just be myself and enjoy life. I am lucky that I have wonderfully supportive husband and stepdaughter. My twin has been by my side every step of the way. But it's a really hard and difficult journey. The thought of my sister ever having to deal with this terrifies me but the thought of her having a prophylactic mastectomy sucks too. 

    Thanks for listening. I guess I'm still trying to adjust to this new normal.

  • brandyrose
    brandyrose Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2014

    Hello, 

    I am 30 years old, but not married and I don't have kids. I kind of consider that a blessing right now. I don't know how mothers and wives get through this. At the same time, there is a level of support there. 

    I was diagnosed 6 days ago. Found a lump in my right breast, had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. And now here I am. It's definitely shocking, especially as there is no history of breast cancer in my family, and I was just in my twenties about a minute ago. 

    I already have had a meeting with my surgeon. He gave me the options. Lumpy or Masty as I call them. I've decided to go with the Masty which most likely comes with a full round of chemotherapy but no radiation. But I haven't been referred to an oncologist and won't be until after surgery. 

    I also plan to do reconstruction, and most likely in a year or so. But after every decision I make I am constantly second guessing myself. How do you know if you've picked the right thing? There are so many different stories, and it all seems impossible. 

    Brandy

  • ramols
    ramols Member Posts: 310
    edited June 2014

    Hi Brandyrose - sorry you have to be here but welcome. Your second-guessing of your decisions is completely natural. I think we've all felt that. You get faced with some pretty tough decisions to make in a short time with little information - and all in the midst of complete shock and turmoil. Not an easy thing by any means. But - just go with your gut and trust that you have made the best decisions you could in the timeframe you had to with the info you had. There is no wrong decision - only what feels right to you at the time. Try to put your faith in your treatment team, ask questions when you are unsure or want to understand better, and strap in for the ride. It eventually ends and you come out the other side of the tunnel. And come here for support and questions. This is a great place to get help and comfort. Good luck!

  • VioletKali
    VioletKali Member Posts: 97
    edited July 2014

    Hi Brandyrose!

    I also had a choice. I am choosing mastectomy for a few reasons, vanity, my choice to not do radiation, and to help reduce my risk of recurrence. I already have breast implants, so a lumpectomy would change my L breast substantially. Radiation would make further enhancement or redo of my L breast very difficult, because it does cause skin and muscle changes. So I am choosing BMX with reconstruction for vanity purposes and practical purposes.

  • Evgeniya
    Evgeniya Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2014

    Hello! Evgeniya single mother of 8 year old boy. No relatives in this country(australia). first time on this board today. pls take me inn.... very dificult indid. sometimes impossible. son healps a lot. what would i do without him i do not know. wish you all well from the bottom of my heart! 

  • Evgeniya
    Evgeniya Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2014

    Hello!  in Australia we do not have any oncotype and other genetic tests so docs are guessing to have or not to have . darling look at my signature which is screaming for lots of chemo and yet no chemo has been recomended.....

  • ginafish
    ginafish Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2014

    hi all!

    I'm
    so happy I found this thread! I am 38 and was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of April. I opted for a lumpectomy (although I am always second guessing myself) and now have 2 chemo treatments left before radiation. I have a 5 and 6 year old, and to me, that is the hardest part of this. I want to be around for them, see them grow up. I want to be able to connect with others in similar situations, I think this is the best kind of support out there.

  • Kellymci
    Kellymci Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2014

    I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast in march 2013 at the age of 34. My boys were 3 and 4 at the time. I did eight rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and 30 radiation treatments. I am lucky enough to have a husband that is extremely good with our kids and a wonderful mother who left my father and traveled half way across the country to help us out while I went through my chemo and surgery. Even with all of this help, it was still difficult emotionally with the kids. We put ourselves through so much with guilt, etc. I always felt like I wasn't spending enough time with them and, when I did, that I wasn't as energetic/fun as I should be. But honestly, looking back, I don't think they noticed much of a difference at all. We kept things as normal as possible for them, so they continued to go to daycare during the day. During the day I rested so I could have a little rural of energy when they got home. My marriage hasn't suffered, however I still feel that pang of guilt if I'm too tired to stay awake to spend quality time with my hubby, etc. I don't think he minds having the tv to himself, though! Haha 

    I go for my last herceptin on August 7th and then I just have to deal with my reconstruction and I'll be all done with this! Yahoo!! 

    Stay strong, ladies! We have our age going for us in this fight!!

  • life-2
    life-2 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2014

    Hi Everyone-  I'm new here.  I was diagnosed at age 38 with IDC that moved to lymph nodes.  I have 2 kids (7 + 5).  I'm done chemo, radiation and now on hormone therapy.  Yes its sad there are so many young women but also nice to know I'm not alone.

    hugs to you all:)

  • shewolfpg
    shewolfpg Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2014

    Well I guess I get to join this group. I am 35 and this last Thursday I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.   Not sure of the stage or hormonal receptor.   I meet with the doctors tomorrow to find all that out as well as my MRI results. This sucks but I do know I will beat this.

  • life-2
    life-2 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2014

    Hi shewolfpg-  I know exactly how you feel.  The waiting part is hard but once you know all the details and have a plan you will feel so much better.  If you have any questions or if there is anything I can help out with please let me know.  Just curious?? ...any family history of breast cancer?

  • shewolfpg
    shewolfpg Member Posts: 73
    edited July 2014

    Nope none at all!  That's what sucks the most.  And yeah I am a smoker but my god I thought it would have been my heart or diabetes or something not freaking breast cancer