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15 years out with new finding

I will be 16 years out from diagnosis on 5/13/26 and had my annual diagnostic mammogram yesterday. Radiologist told me there was a new finding on my non cancer side so he did an ultrasound. It is less than a cm and he stated it appears to be in a duct. Given my history, he wants to do a biopsy which isn’t scheduled unto 3/12. Prior to my initial diagnosis in 2010, I had an intraductal papilloma removed on the right side about 8 years prior to my diagnosis. When I was diagnosed with Stage 2B IDC with 3 of 17 nodes involved , they found another intraductal papilloma which they removed on the cancer side at the same time they performed the lumpectomy and axillary node dissection. I had 6 rounds of TC chemo and 35 days of radiation including boosts to the axillary and the clavicle. I did 3 1/2 years on Tamoxifen and 7 years on Letrozole. My last MRI was in August 2024. My last diagnostic mammogram was in February 2025. I hate this disease. I really try not to worry but I have had so many friends diagnosed since my own diagnosis and have lost 4 friends who supported me through my initial diagnosis. Thank you for reading! Anyone else with a similar situation?

Comments

  • pure0323
    pure0323 Posts: 19

    Just wanted to send you good vibes and best wishes. I was diagnosed in 2011 and have had several things pop up that had to be checked out. It’s stressful!

  • kathleenl
    kathleenl Posts: 5

    21 years out from Stage 1 Grade 1 Invasive Ductal. Lumpectomy with Rads and Tamoxifen. Now I am recovering from mastectomy after Stage 1 Grade 2 Invasive Ductal with Dcis 2 areas also. Oncologist wants me to take Letrozole and I am absolutely dreading it. I hated how I felt on Tamoxifen. The hot flashes were horrible. I have Liver issues and osteopenia after the tamoxifen. I just do not want to take this medication. I'm going to be 75 on Saturday. What would YOU do?? How was Letrozole for you??

  • orknitter
    orknitter Posts: 110

    @kathleenl I hope your recovery is going well. I’ve been on letrozole since November 2024. I truly have had very minor side effects luckily. I’m 72 and I think I’ll most likely stay on it for a long time. I do have osteopenia and am being monitored with a dexa scan periodically.

  • gailmary
    gailmary Posts: 666

    I took letrezole 3 different times. 1st time I had aches and pains. But not the other 2 times. I switched meds each time cause I couldn't fall asleep!. It is harder on bones than tamoxifen. But there are meds for the bones now that help alot. I'd take it again anyways but I just switched to faslodex injections. I was dx 2008. Stage 4 in 2017. I'm 69.

  • kathleenl
    kathleenl Posts: 5

    I so appreciate your responses! I had such a hard time on Tamoxifen and not looking forward to the Letrozole. I will give it a try. Thank you! I'm still stunned over the 21 yrs post and the mastectomy has been a real trip! My stitches messed up, I had Incision dehiscence and had to have it all redone. My surgery was Jan 20th and I hopefully have the stitches removed Mar 9. This website has been a blessing full of knowledge for me!