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MIL just diagnosed with TNBC
Hello again, five years ago (at 52), I joined breastcancer.org for support during my DCIS diagnosis and subsequent bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction journey. Now I am back looking for insight on TNBC treatment to provide support to my husband and MIL. Some context, my MIL is 82 years old in moderate health; main…
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Reconstruction after Lumpectomy
I have read a lot on this wonderful site about reconstruction and lumpectomy vs mastectomy. Wondering what experience others have had with reconstruction after lumpectomy. My situation is that the lump is bulging right next to nipple in areola. Lumpectomy would take less than 1/4 of breast off the top, scar would be…
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Lilly's "Oncology On Canvas": Share Your Art, Share Your Story
STRENGTH, COURAGE, DETERMINATION Help us support those with breast cancer Breast cancer tries to define the lives of those diagnosed with the disease, but it doesn’t count on its opponents’ strength and profound determination. After all, breast cancer patients are known for challenging the disease head-on with their own…
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Calling all SCUBA divers!
it seems that there aremany of us out there! Share your trips, tips, favorite dive sites, hotels, and any other dive stuff! Cheers, Midgie
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High Risk, Strong Family History, +PASH?
Hi there. I have a very strong family history of BC (gene negative). Grandmother twice, Mother twice, 1st cousin at age 31… Anyways, because of this I alternate Mammos and MRIs. Just had an MRI biopsy (not my first one) that came back benign with a foci of PASH. I'm reading all I can about this but I'm curious if anyone…
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Xeloda mouth sores
Hello Everyone. I am wondering what people who are on Xeloda do when they develop mouth sores? I have been on it for months, but only recently have I started to have trouble with mouth sores. I thought I had burned my mouth on something hot but couldn't recall any incident. The back of my gums and the top of my mouth are…
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Reoccurrence after DMX
First dx in 2022. Had lumpectomy and revision of positive margins. Followed with chemo ac-tx16 Followed with partial breast radiation. Reoccurrence dcis 2023, then DMX w recon and implants May 2025 dx with 2 spots in scar tissue and a new lump close to the tissue. I took all the meds, shots ext. Anyone else been through…
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This article may explain why we don't have blood tests to check our estrogen and many other things.
I've asked AI to do a summary in educated layman's terms of the article and have included the link. It's an old article, but from what I understand, it's explaining basic facts that I didn't know. Detailed Summary of the Article: "Tissue-Bound Estrogen in Aging" by Ray Peat The article challenges the mainstream belief that…
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Sudden seroma
Hi, I did my double mastectomy on June 5 and my doctor chose not to insert drains. Three days later, seroma got very bad. I’m in a place where access to health care is not great. I'm supposed to see the surgeon in one month. Any tips, reassurance, info to share about this matter. I would love to get rid of it without…
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What Do You Wish You’d Known Earlier in Your Breast Cancer Journey?
We’ve all had those “I wish someone had told me…” moments — whether it was about treatment, emotional health, relationships, body image, or navigating the healthcare system. What’s something you learned along the way that you wish you’d known earlier?
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What Has Helped You Feel Seen and Supported as an LGBTQ+ Person Facing Breast Cancer?
We’d love to hear about the people, resources, communities, or moments that made a difference—big or small—in helping you feel affirmed, valued, and uplifted during your experience.
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How often do you get an MRI to check on the integrity of your implants (if at all)?
Today I went in for my final 6-month visit. They offered to order an MRI to check on the integrity of the implants, even though there are no signs of trouble with them. Is it normal to get an MRI on my implants just because they are five years old?
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Kisqali side effects
hi I have stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer; have had 2 surgeries & radiation Now have started arimidex & kisqali. I have flu symptoms usually everyday with low grade fever & body aches. Has anyone else felt like this & how long does it last
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Fasting and chemo
I have to do an urgent chemo, Caelyx ( I will explain more in the "metastasis to liver" section). I have an urgent question: I read many studies that state it is better to fast before and after chemo. Is that correct? Thank you
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Stage IV bone meets- challenge with biopsy
Hi folks, its my 1st post here. Felt a bit positive after reading some of the long time mets survivors. I was diagnosed with triple positive (high 90%) in 2020, stage 2. Did the full paclitaxel+herceptin and RT cycle. Have been on tamoxifen for last 5 years. In Jan this year started feeling bone pain and MRI showed…
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Feels like pebble near areola right breast
Hi, searching for information and assurance. Last month I felt a lump, feels like a pebble, right breast, near areola. I noticed it and pressed on it because I felt like I had a scratch in the area and it was red and bit irritated. I’m 62 and I am a uterine sarcoma survivor taking Letrozole for 11 of the last 13 years as…
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Exercise to prepare for surgery
I would like to start a thread, if anyone is interested, to record our efforts to exercise in order to prepare for surgery. I was inspired by a report online of a young woman who exercised a lot to prepare for her surgery. "I wasn’t thinking about the surgery or worrying about the surgery—I was focused on getting my body…
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MRI guided Biopsy BI-RADS 4
Hi All, I recently went for my yearly Breast MRI and they found 2 new foci, 1.8cm apart in my left reconstructed breast (DIEP). They have classified it as BI-RADS 4, and are sending me to get a surgeon to do an MRI guided biopsy. I'm obviously afraid it's back. Wondering if anybody has had a recurrence after DIEP in that…
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Now brain mets
I’ve been gone a while… after 12 years my er+ pr+ her2- cancer showed up in my brain. I had been getting more unsteady, but figured I really needed to work on muscle strength since I’m getting older (63). Qi was having headaches which I repeatedly complained about to my primary care - nothing was helping. But then I…
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FDA Approves Kisqali for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
FDA Approves Kisqali for Early-Stage Breast Cancer September 17, 2024 Kisqali (chemical name: ribociclib) can now be used after surgery in combination with an aromatase inhibitor to treat stage II or stage III hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence. Read more…
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Interpreting Your Report
***Edited by Mods to add: Unfortunately DJMammo has stepped away from the Community for personal reasons. Please do not expect an answer from him directly. However, you can still post here in an effort to get help from our other amazing members!*** Mammogram and ultrasound reports contain (should contain) a fairly specific…
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Exercise "Better than drugs" New ASCO Research from Other than BCO
Just came across this today and found it interesting. The study was done on colon cancer patients, but they note that there is no reason not to think that similar findings would hold for other cancers. The actual percentages of benefit can seem low, as with drugs, and other "major breakthroughs, e.g. 35%, etc., but as my…
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In the Awful Waiting Period Between a BIRADS 4 Mammogram and a Biopsy
Hi folks… As the title suggests, I'm in the dreaded limbo-land between tests. I have dense breasts, and this was not my first time being called back for a follow-up mammogram. It was, however, the first time I was called back for something other than the density mucking up the images. This time, it was for tightly grouped…
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Radial Scar
Hi All, Just looking to connect with people who may have had similar experiences or diagnosis. I went for my first breast check, age 32 due to a concern on my right side. This was clear on imaging, however the ultrasound found architectual distortion on the left. This lead to a mammogram, mri, core biopsy and lumpectomy.…
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Making Sure Exercise is Part of Cancer Care
Making Sure Exercise is Part of Cancer Care Dr. Katie Schmitz discusses how to integrate exercise into care treatment plans, as well as a study showing exercise improved survival in people with colon cancer. Jun 2, 2025 At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Dr. Katie Schmitz chaired a…
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Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025 Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky explains DESTINY-Breast09, ASCENT-04, and SERENA-6. Jun 2, 2025 The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified…
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Financial Toxicity and Breast Cancer: How Doctors Can Help
Financial Toxicity and Breast Cancer: How Doctors Can Help Dr. Fumiko Chino offers advice and suggestions on how to navigate financial difficulties. Jun 3, 2025 At the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Fumiko Chino, MD, summarized her presentation on how doctors can help the people they care…
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The Research METAvivor Funds
The Research METAvivor Funds METAvivor President Dr. Kelly Shanahan discusses the research the organization supports. May 16, 2025 By 2030, researchers estimate that about 246,000 people will be living with metastatic breast cancer. METAvivor is the first organization dedicated to raising awareness of, and funding research…
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Winter 2025 Breast Cancer Research Round Up
Winter 2025 Breast Cancer Research Round Up Have you been diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer or DCIS? Dr. Kevin Fox discusses the latest research. Apr 18, 2025 Can people diagnosed with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer avoid chemotherapy and take a CDK4/6 inhibitor instead?…
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How Is the NIH Funding Freeze Affecting Breast Cancer Research? One Scientist Explains
How Is the NIH Funding Freeze Affecting Breast Cancer Research? One Scientist Explains Noted scientist Donald McDonnell explains how the halt in NIH funding is hampering breast cancer research. Mar 21, 2025 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are the largest funder of cancer research in the world. A January 2025…