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New Protocols
I am a 10 year survivor of breast cancer (stage 1a, ER/PR+, HER2+). Now my 75 year old sister has been diagnosed with stage 1a, ER+,HER2- breast cancer. She Iives in a distant state, so I cannot go with her to all of her doctor's appointments. She saw her oncologist today for the first time and was told she is most likely…
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Lets conduct our own study on how we all got breast cancer
We have an excellent cohort of diagnosed people here, let's see if we can find the common denominator among us. We've all learned with this disease, we need to doctor ouselves, why not conduct our own scientific research? It can't be that difficult. I'll go first. 1. how many of you women, in junior high school, ever had a…
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New Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, two large masses in my left breast. HER negative, estrogen/progesterone positive. My radiologist told me she was pretty positive it was cancer before official results, which was really helpful for me to process. I’m meeting with the oncologist and surgeon next week. I’ve been…
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Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....
OK, I admit it, I am a compulsive planner. I have had some great suggestions and tips not only regarding what to bring to the hospital, but also on how to prepare the house to make the recovery as easy as possible. I am travelling for surgery so, for me, "packing" includes the first 10 days of post-op care. I thought I…
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Radiation Shrinkage after Lumpectomy
While I am grateful to have only needed a lumpectomy, one breast is now half the size of the other breast as a result of radiation. As a woman, I am very conscientious of this, and wish I had reconstruction options under insurance now two years post surgery. While I have found a bra in which I can add extra padding, I…
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Love, Connection, and Everything in Between
February is supposed to be about love... from a partner, family, friends, or yourself. But for many of us living with breast cancer, whether in treatment, long after diagnosis, or with metastatic disease, love can look different now, partnered or not. Relationships shift. Bodies change. Futures may feel uncertain. And…
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BCO In Memoriam thread, Part 2
(The original BCO In Memoriam thread started by Milica has gotten too long and is difficult to load or make additions. We need to start Part 2 of this thread, starting 5/3, 2023 to make it easier to load in this new platform. The Original thread (Part 1) will remain and can be accessed for viewing but will not allow for…
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Elacestrant (ORSERDU)
Starting this topic to share info about the new medication elacestrant. Elacestrant (ORSERDU) was recently FDA approved for ER+/HER2- MBC for patients with the ESR1 mutation. Just before it was FDA approved, I was able to obtain the drug through an expanded access program (thanks to WeninWI for the info!). The expanded…
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ATM 2026 NCCN Guidelines
I had genetic testing done in 2019 and have a ATM variant. I was diagnosed with BC in 2017 (Stage 1 and tumor under 1 CM) and had a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments. Took the Breast Cancer Index Test and results showed benefit of taking Arimidex for 10 years so I have one more year to go yay. The question I have…
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How Will Health Insurance Changes Affect People With Metastatic Breast Cancer?
How Will Health Insurance Changes Affect People With Metastatic Breast Cancer? February 3, 2026 Triage Cancer CEO Joanna Doran answers questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and metastatic breast cancer. Float RightMediumAccessibilityDelete The changes to federal- and state-run health insurance programs can be confusing,…
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AIMSS: How Aromatase Inhibitors Can Affect Hands and Wrists
AIMSS: How Aromatase Inhibitors Can Affect Hands and Wrists January 13, 2026 If you’re taking an aromatase inhibitor, you may have pain in your hands and wrists. Dr. David Bozentka explains the syndrome. Float RightMediumAccessibilityDelete Bone and joint pain are some of the most common side effects of aromatase…
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Poll: Has breast cancer changed the way you experience intimacy?
Intimacy can mean many things — touch, closeness, trust, comfort. How has it shifted for you? If you feel comfortable, please answer the poll and elaborate how in the thread below.
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First visit with MO and RO since surgery and radiation
I have my first mammogram and likely ultrasound this week. I meet with my MO and RO. Did you have any blood tests before you met with the doctors? Any lessons learned would be appreciated. I had DCIS, stage zero, lumpectomy with reduction on the other side, and am taking anastrozole.
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Positive nodes with long term survival
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM WOMEN WITH LOTS OF POSITIVE NODES AND HORMONE POSITIVE WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF 10 /15 /20 YEARS, PLZ POST
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Anyone 75 and over being treated for breast cancer?
This is my 3rd go 'round with breast cancer. The first 2 times it was the whole 9 yards - chemo, surgery & radiation. My last oncologist told me bluntly that my body couldn't take anymore chemo. I couldn't agree more. Chemo has been devastating to my body. It seems that this new cancer is small and early stage, so surgery…
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Smx and slnb recovery
Had my smx and slnb on Wednesday, suprised at how Little pain i have, bit achy and stiff but other than that ok. Hopefully drain out soon Area feels quite numb still, is this normal ?have been doing exercises, swelling in armpit but not too much
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Also newly diagnosed…
Less than 48 hours ago I received my biopsy report and basically the only word on it that I understood was Carcinoma. The nurse advocate called a bit later and I have little recollection of anything she said concerning the biopsy. I was able to agree to get a surgical consult, call my primary for a referral and schedule an…
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Find a person who would understand what I am going through.
I’m in my mid-40s and caring for my wife, who has stage 4 breast cancer. The cancer has spread to bones, then, after a few years of treatments, to the liver…, and they are now trying to enroll her in clinical trials. She’s relatively young, so I’m hoping she qualifies—but overall, it just gives you a bit of extra time. We…
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Abnormal mammogram but normal ultrasound
Hi! I’m 40 and there’s a history of breast cancer in my family. Therefore I have to have a mammogram and ultrasound every year. I went last Tuesday.They had to do the mammogram several times because the first images were vague. Then I had the ultrasound. The doctor told me that there is a tissue in my left breast that…
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Letrozole and Tendonitis?
Hello all! I am coming up on 6 years of AIs with Letrozole being the most recent one. I had been on Arimidex but developed trigger thumb and fatigue over time so I switched to Letrozole. I have been okay for the most part but I now have tenosynovitis in my left wrist which won't go away and a new tendon issue on the top of…
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Weigh in: What do you look for in a mastectomy bathing suit?
Breastcancer.org is looking ahead to warmer weather. We want to know: What tips do you have for someone who’s looking for a bathing suit for the first time since having a mastectomy? What’s worked for you and what was a beach-day fail? Do you have a brand or style that you love … or hate? Feel free to share links! Whether…
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Anastrozole (Arimidex) vs. Fulvestrant (Faslodex)
Hi All - Does anyone know why an oncologist would treat with an AI like anastrozole rather than fulvestrant? I'm currently on anastrozole and ribociclib (Kisqali). For my initial diagnosis of Stage 1A IDC (HR+, HER2-), I had lumpectomy, radiation and started anastrozole. 6 years later (this past January), mets in my lung…
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Anyone starting chemo August 2016?
I don't have the details yet, just wondering who else is in my boat with me.
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Newly diagnosed IDC
Well, I got the call today. IDC in left breast, 10mm. Waiting to hear back about bio markers and will meet with oncology team next week. I’m alternating between panic and numbness. I would like to connect with others like me so I don’t feel quite so alone.
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Middle Aged Memories
Let's see, so far we've reminisced about dittos, drive in theaters, lick-a-stick candy, five-and-dime stores, Donny Osmond, Dark Shadows, what have I missed?
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Has anyone stopped Prolia without taking another med?
I was set up to get Reclast, but I am without insurance for several months and I'm very disappointed that I cannot get a return call from my provider with an estimate of what this infusion will cost me. I tried for days, and nothing, so I cancelled the appointment. I went for the blood test that was ordered and that looks…
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TN grade 3 newly diagnosed and needing hope
Hi all, I just got my bio markers and seeing triple negative hit me like a gut punch. I’ve been reading the resources on here including the long term survivor stories, been working with my therapist, and I’m meeting my care team in a few days…so doing all the things, I suppose. I know many in this community say the early…
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Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women
An interesting study. I'm hopeful! Abstract P1-12-15: Intermittent dosing of aromatase inhibitors (AI) to improve tolerance in post-menopausal women Clinical rationale: A significant proportion of post-menopausal, patients treated with AI reports side-effects, especially bone pain. In such patients, the difficulties to…
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Cyberknife Inflammatory muscle response
Anyone have side effects after cyberknife to the spine? I was fine for two weeks after thoracic rads and then bam - significant band like pain across my back in that area - stiffness, soreness, etc. It has subsided some, and has moved around, but still there two weeks later. I was put on a course of steroids so getting…
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Online Medical Consultations – Has Anyone Tried Them?
hello everyone I got tired of searching for a good doctor, so I decided to look online for medical consultations via video conferencing. I don’t fully trust the direction I’ve taken regarding changing my treatment from Kisqali to Afinitor, especially since it caused side effects that have now forced me to stop the…