Newly diagnosed; bilateral IDC grade 1
Hello, I am horrified to be here. :-( I am 58 and just diagnosed while on vacation visiting friends in Europe (I lived here in the past) and always had normal mammograms and still did them here because it was easy.
It was found on a routine mammogram and what I know so far from core biopsies (MRI next);
Left 9x8mm - IDC ER/PR+ Her2neg and Ki-67 = 23% Normal lymphs
Right 5x4mm - IDC ER/PR+ Her2low and Ki-67 = 9% Normal lymphs
I would appreciate any information on bilateral and anything. The doctors want me to start treatment here and I am agreeing as I understand there is some urgency? It also makes sense as I don't even have a primary doc in the US and I recently moved. I don't even know where to start to "get in the system" in the US and it will take time to figure that out.
So I am trying to get a handle on urgency and immediate things to have done here which will be surgery I assume.
For personal reasons, my age… I am very uneasy about adjuvant treatment outside of surgery. I will need to balance risk/quality of life.
Thank you for reading, Ella
Comments
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Hi @ella26! Welcome to BCO. We’re sorry for what you're gong through, but so glad you reached out, and we want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed after a new diagnosis, especially with bilateral IDC.
To help you understand a bit more about both your treatment options and the health system in the US, you may find these pages from Breastcancer.org useful:
Covering the Costs of Your Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Hope this helps! Please, come back to let us know how you're doing. We're all here for you!
The Mods
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Hello and welcome @ella26. I’m sorry you are joining us under these circumstances. The support here has been wonderful and so helpful for me, so I am glad you found us.
I don’t have any experience with health care outside of the US but I would imagine you have access to some excellent doctors there. It sounds like they’re already helping you get your diagnosis, and in a very timely manner. It seems as if it’s all early stage, which is good news, relatively speaking. Very treatable!
Please know that you do have time to figure it all out. We all understand how urgent it feels in the beginning, but take the time to make careful decisions that will be best for you in the long run.
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Thank you for your responses, it does help. I will know more soon and grateful for websites like this.
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Hello Ella, I feel your shock; I remember that panicky feeling well last year at diagnosis, and want you to know our situation is similar, ER,PR+, HER2neg, 8 mm, no nodal involvement, now post lumpectomy. I am surprised whole breast radiation is recommended ahead of knowing final pathology post surgery info, because surely the pathology after surgery will be more definitive than the recent biopsies, and clear margins would guide more specifically how much radiation you might need. Also, be reassured this type of Ca is low grade, slow growth, the most common type for us, about 80% of those diagnosed, so no urgency, no rush rush now, take a deep breath and take your time about any decisions. Also, your age, not that old enough to be afraid of Tx but QOL is a definite consideration, agreed, I am 82 soon so was not offered any chemo at all because of that. May we know what european health service you are under now? No pressure to divulge at all. My cousin is receiving excellent BC Tx in France. Sometimes they are ahead of us in NA (I am in Canada). My thoughts are with you for peace and calm, at this difficult time.
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Good Morning Iseeee,
Thank you so much for sharing! It is good to hear this is slow growing… at least there is that? I sent you a PM.
All the best, Ella
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