-
Follow up imaging after having radial scars
if you have had radial scars diagnosed and removed what was the ongoing follow up monitoring recommended by your surgeon? 12 months ago I had two radial scars removed at age 32. I had an ultrasound 1 yr post surgery and imaging was all ok - BIRADS 2. I am meant to follow up with my surgeon for the post 1yr mark. However,…
-
Cold Caps Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
Hi all, I wanted to start a forum for all us that are using the cold caps to try to save our hair. I am on FEC100 X3 followed by Taxotere X3. My dosage unfortunately is not a guaranteed success. I am 40 days out from my first treatment and will have my third June 17. So far I have thinned but have not required a wig. I…
-
Stomach pain post Diep flap
I’m nearly three years out from DIEP flap surgery. Since the very beginning I’ve had issues with extreme muscle cramping in one spot of my left lower abdomen. I even get hard charley horses there! Any ab workouts or heavy lifting triggers this. Has anyone else experienced this, and did you find any treatments or solutions?
-
Two Hospitals Provided fully two different treatments, I can not believe that
I was diagnosed Breast Cancer , ER+ 90, PR-, KI67-30% Tumor 1.8cm, her2 negative, ALAND lymph notes 3/6 positive found from surgery. stage 2, I have done surgery 07/30/2025. Oncotype score 14, UT Southwester Hospital provided the treatment with T 12 time once a week, and AC 4 times, every two weeks. Radiation 30 days. I…
-
Bioidentical hormones..is anyone taking after breast cancer?
I have 4 tx left of my weekly taxol. Prior to that I did 4 DD AC. Now that I am getting close to the end of my treatments, I have started to research diet, supplements, etc to hopefully help avoid recurrence. I have been reading Suzanne Somers, the Anticancer book, and some others. Overall, its been somewhat depressing as…
-
AXIN2 Gene- Do you have it?
So I’m wondering how many of us here have the Axin2 gene? I have it with a variant of unknown significance. But my breast cancer surgeon told me years ago that they are learning new stuff all the time, unlearning other stuff and there is still a lot they still don’t know about breast cancer. Just curious how many of us…
-
6 Month Follow Up
In April I went for a diagnostic mammogram of my left breast. The radiologist had several mammography pictures taken and also a magnifying mammography round of pictures taken. He stated that they found an Indeterminate 6 mm group of tight calcifications in the outer breast at middle depth and that a stereotactic guided…
-
Looking to talk to a woman who has been through a mastectomy, chemotherapy AND radiotherapy
I'm actually reaching out on behalf of a friend. His partner has had a mastectomy, and has been through a treatment of chemotherapy. Doctors are now heavily encouraging her to undergo a course of radiotherapy. My friend, based on his own research, and his knowledge of his partner's unique situation, is quite strongly of…
-
What to expect?
I am recently diagnosed and am having a lumpectomy with Sentinel node removal in 5 days. Looking for suggestions from real people, who have been through this, for when I come home. Will I be able to wash my hair? Or should I just cut it off? Serious question. I've had a few neck surgeries and cutting it off was easier…
-
Decorative/artist tattoo on reconstructed foobs
Are there gals here who have done decorative tattoos on their reconstructed foobs? Every time I see photos of them, they are gorgeous. Through a wonderful organization, I have to privilege of having mine done. I'm 16+ years old from diagnosis - finished radiation 16 years ago this week. Finally at my senior age, I love…
-
New, never used, lightweight, quick dry drain holder
I bought this quick dry drain holder on Amazon to use in the shower. Then my surgeon decided I wasn’t allowed to take a shower with the drain, so I never used it. Will mail it free to US address.
-
Pelvic pressure/painful bladder syndrome while taking Tamoxifen
Diagnosed with Stage 1a IDC in april 2025. Had excision surgery, 19 sessions of whole breast radiation and now i have been taking a low dose of Tamoxifen, 10mg every other day for 2 months. Since taking Tamoxifen I have had pelvic pressure, low back pain, and painful bladder syndrome. Anyone else have this? My oncologist…
-
Second time around needing Chemo - just wondering about the prescribed treatment
Double mastectomy 7 years ago. New 1-2 cm cancerous lump found on breast and also in three sentinel nodes have all been removed. Same cancer (EST+, HER2- ). Having more surgery next week to remove 1st and 2nd level nodes. After surgery, my oncologist is prescribing Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide every two weeks for 4…
-
Tamoxifen side effects with diagnosis of osteoporosis
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 1A one year ago. I had a lumpectomy with 16 radiation treatments. I began 20 mg of tamoxifen almost 8 months ago. Side effects have not been bad until about 1 month ago. I seem to bruise easily, having headaches more frequently, terrible hot flashes and my body hurts if I exercise. Prior…
-
mastectomy and possible reconstruction
I had lumpectomy a couple of months ago. A week or so later surgeon called and told me she didn't get it all. So I had a single mastectomy about ten days ago with the intention of having an implant and a lift on the other side. The plastic surgeon wasn't able to put the expander in during the mastectomy so I'm left with a…
-
Has anyone used Docs from different healthcare systems?
I just switched oncologists from Penn to Fox Chase. Has anyone used breast surgeons from outside the system that their oncologist is in? I like my Penn Surgeons.
-
Cancer in all three levels of Axillary lymph nodes.
Reoccurrence of EST+ HER2- breast cancer. Results from PET FES shows cancer in all three levels of Axillary lymph nodes. Are there any options beside surgery? I worry about Lyphodema.
-
Second time around questions
After 7 years past double mastectomy without issue (no other treatment at that time), I was recently diagnosed with a new breast cancer occurrence, a 1-2 cm lump in my breast skin. After two surgeries and three lymph nodes removed, all testing positive for same breast cancer (ER+, PR+, HER2-), I'm told I will have to do a…
-
Triple Negative Stage IV
This is a way for us to find each other, please add your post so everyone can be found. We can discuss on this thread (hope this works out!)
-
Micromets in the first sentinel node after BMX; should I ask for ALND?
I just had BMX three weeks ago. The surgeon took one sentinel node from each side. The pathology report showed the sentinel node on the right side has 0.3mm micromets with no ENE. I asked the surgeon if we should take out additional nodes to check - basically do an ALND; she said “no, I didn’t find any suspicious nodes;…
-
Could Someone Give me Advice on Post Mastectomy Recovery and Emotional Support?
Hello there, I am reaching out to this community for some guidance and support as I am currently navigating a challenging time. I recently underwent a mastectomy; and while the physical recovery is progressing, I am struggling with the emotional aspects of the experience. The surgery itself went smoothly; but now that I am…
-
Scans- the anxiety never fades
I have been stage iv since 2017 and you would think at some point scans would be no big deal. They aren’t and I’m not there. My doc was comfy with waiting another 6 months and just scan once a year. I decided that I wanted it. I wanted to go into fall and the holiday season knowing my cancer is under control. I feel like…
-
Positive Signatera Test leads to Stage 4
I had a Signatera Test last week and it came back positive also with out of range CA 25-27. I had already had a clear Breast MRI a month ago. The Signatera Test shows circulating tumor cells in my blood. This means I am now Metastatic and I am in shock. I'm only 3 years out of chemo/rads/hormone therapy with 2b and 1…
-
Questioning my work life
Hi all, I’m a few weeks post lumpectomy and have appts with med onc and rad onc next week for my next steps in treatment. I’m returning to work this week. I work in the medical field. I find myself questioning my job and whether this is the path I’d like to continue on. I recognize my emotions are still fairly raw so it’s…
-
Dr. Kerry Courneya will be guest on The Breastcancer.org Podcast. Do you have questions?
Dr. Courneya was the lead investigator of the CHALLENGE trial, which found that a three-year exercise program after chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer improved both disease-free and overall survival. This is the firs time a study showed that exercise improved overall survival. Dr. Courneya thinks the results may have…
-
VITAMIN K2 combined with Vitamin D3 IMPROVES bone density
Something I never see mentioned, which was never mentioned to me even when I saw an orthopedic specialist after breaking my foot, was that Vitamin K2 deficiency along with Vitamin D3 deficiency increases the risk of fractures. Just look at the following research about it. Vitamin K2 works SYNERGISTICICALLY with Vitamin D3…
-
1st chemo done!
After being diagnosed in August, 2025 with invasive, triple positive breast cancer, stage 1, grade 3… Following a biopsy, which produced clear margins, successful removal of the tumor, and negative lymph nodes, I had my first chemo last week, 9/11. First drug given was Paxlitaxel, I’m also receiving an infusion of…
-
Newly diagnosed with bone mets
I'm not sure whether to post here or in the Stage IV forum. I had a PET Scan on Monday. I was called in by the nuclear medicine doctor and told there were mets in my femur, which were causing the pain I have been having. I then received the written report confirming a large met in the femur with fracture risk and spots…
-
More Tips (and a Shopping List) for Getting Through Chemo
These lists may be read in conjunction with the conversation created by www.breastcancer.org member Melissaga ("Tips for Getting Through Chemotherapy") on December 6th, 2006. Melissa's tips are great. (Posts by member "otter" are invaluable, and reliable). (The initial list & tips were compiled by my wonderful friend Miki,…
-
Thyroid calcified nodules
My Ct scan found several calcified nodules on my thyroid. One measured 7mm. From what I have read, they are probably cancerous. I am now really worried. I am only 3rd year into treatment for my BC. They said I would be ok for 9 years. Glad I change clinics. The old clinic kept dismissing all my issues. My new Dr. has been…