-
Starting Chemo in February 2016?
I didn't see a thread starting for *my* month, so I figured I'd start one... Anyone else getting ready to start their chemo in February? I start my first tx on Feb 16th. I'm doing 4 cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (also called TC, I think?). I've been doing tons of reading about whether I need to ice my fingers…
-
Long-term LCIS?
Hello, Has anyone been diagnosed with LCIS and not developed invasive cancer after 10, 15 years? I've been diagnosed with LCIS and elected to take anastrozole and nothing else. But I'm nervous. Thanks
-
Should I stop HRT
I started HRT at the beginning of December. I have an Estradiol patch and which I change every 4 days abd 200mg Utrogestan daily. I went for a mammogram and the results were “Small apparent non-specific density” I have to go back for more imaging and potentially a biopsy. Should I stop the HRT?
-
Tamoxifen Side Effects
How long were you on Tamoxifen before you started to notice any side effects? Also, what was your age when you started Tamoxifen
-
Reconstruction options
My wife has finished six months of chemo and immunotherapy and scheduled for a mastectomy at the end of the month, to be followed by up to six weeks radiation. We have discussed reconstruction with both the primary surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Quite frankly, these have been good discussions, but we still feel confused as…
-
Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
-
Blood draws with arm/foot lymphedema
Hi I'm back. I was here many years ago. I used to talk to Benny and others and I did some modeling for lymphedema's sleeves. I'm in huge trouble now. I have terrible osteoporosis and I need blood drives desperately yet I have injuries on my feet and bilateral lymphedema and I'm in a wheelchair. Where else can we get a…
-
Whether to take the drugs that take away the estrogen
I found out in August of 2024 I had ductal carcinoma in situ, 1.1 cm. There was no evidence of invasive carcinoma. No cancer found in the lymph node on the left side. I had a lumpectomy and did not require radiation or chemo. My cancer is positive estrogen receptor status. I have a decision to make regarding taking…
-
Tumor Markers with Different Results
I just got back results on 3 tests. The Ca 15-3 test and the CEA test were both normal. However the CA 27-29 test came back as high (57). Anyone have any experience like this? Of course being Saturday, I will have to wait until Monday to talk with my oncologist. I am 2.5 years out from surgery. This is the first time he…
-
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…
-
Ringworm drug for dogs (Fenbendazole) might also cure cancer
This sounds kind of crazy but I'm tempted to try it, especially if standard treatments stop working: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6965325/Oklahoma-grandfather-claims-drug-DOGS-cured-cancer-tumor-free.html Mods adding this link to a podcast from BCO: Podcast: What My Patients Are Asking: Can Dog Deworming…
-
Anastrozole
Hi. looking for opinions. I was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma of breast the breast. My tumor was 4mm. I was HER negative. Estrogen Receptor 60%, Progesterone Receptor 40%, KI67 proliferation no longer marker 3%. I had a lumpectomy. When they did the surgery the tumor was already gone from the biopsy. Nothing spread to…
-
Phesgo - post pCR
Would love to connect with folks who are doing stand alone Phesgo after pCR. I have a hard time finding info on SE's and the journey post chemo and surgery that's not connected to receiving chemo at the same time. For instance, hair regrowth. Does Phesgo slow the process? Anyone experiencing swelling? ETC. My hair is…
-
Was your stereotactic core needle biopsy upright or lying down?
Hi, I have an upcoming stereotactic core needle biopsy done with tomosynthesis and I don't know if it will be upright or lying down. Very anxious about this upcoming procedure. Would like to hear people's experiences with both. Thanks!
-
4 Things That Breast Cancer Experts Are Watching in the New Administration
Read our exclusive take on what the changes in the White House mean for you: https://www.breastcancer.org/news/executive-orders-healthcare
-
Wanting to decline titanium markers during stereotactic biopsy pros and cons?
Hello, I went in for a routine mammogram (my 10th one) and for the first time I had an abnormal mammogram, and a small mass was found that was given the BIRADS 4 rating. I am now waiting for a stereotactic core needle biopsy. I learned about the titanium marker that will be put in during the biopsy and after talking to my…
-
Honoring my mom through poetry
My mom died of breast cancer in January of 1978, seven years after her diagnosis. I was 30. She was 50. I was diagnosed December of 2022. I've written a book of poetry about her cancer and mine. The poems "talk" to each other. I'm proud to honor her in this way and hope to read from the book throughout the breast cancer…
-
Suspicous Masses -Unable to see and Biopsy via Ultrasound
Hi Everyone. After 3 weeks of waiting for an ultrasound and biopsy of two suspicious masses- Bi-Rad 4, the ultrasound technician was unable to see my masses bc of my extremely dense breasts. Now i have to wait another 3 1/2 weeks for an MRI guided biopsy.Has anyone else gone through this?
-
New and Confused
45yo Newly diagnosed with ILC Stage 1A and LCIS. Us found 1 tumor at 6mm. MRI biopsy found a 2nd tumor at 7mm with Lcis. Will be getting double mastectomy with reconstruction. All the waiting in between has caused so much anxiety and stress. Genetic were negative and no family x of bc. ++, her- Do you feel a sense of…
-
Lymphedema - breast twice the size of other one
My arm did not swell up but my breast did by a lot after my lymph nodes were removed. It has been over 4 months now and my effected breast is twice the size of my other breast. My oncologist said oh well it will just be like that forever but she never even looked at it. I am in Canada but I heard not all oncologists are…
-
Understanding Nuclear Bone scans
Hi All. Newbie here . I have a question about the above. I had one done and the report came back all clear. However, when I look at the lateral images my lower spine has a lot of hot spots? A recent MRI has raised concerns about mets to the spine and I'm having a PET scan tomorrow. But I'm wondering why the hot spots were…
-
Anyone decline chemo?
Hi! I will give a little background. I’m 49 y/o and was dx with stage 1a Invasive Lobular Ca Er/Pr + and HER2-, node negative. I had a lumpectomy with clear margins. I am perimenopausal. My initial treatment plan by team was radiation with 5 years of hormone blockers. I was surprised by oncologist when I went to discuss…
-
Anyone taking Medicinal mushrooms?
Does anyone do medicinal mushrooms? I'm talking about AHCC (Immpower and other brands) Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Phellinus lineus, ABM, etc? Comments? I've looked them up on Google and finding very interesting information about immune stimulating and cancer fighting properties. Hugggs! Maddy Mason, Hudson Valley, NY
-
Waiting to do diagnostic mammogram/US
Hi all. They found a mass on my recent screening and now I'm waiting for my diagnostic mammogram and US next week. I don't know if it was an oversight on the breast care navigators part but I didn't even think to ask for the actual report. She didn't give it either and the final report isn't loaded in my portal. Just shows…
-
Pain in breast after two years of biopsy and clip
I have clip in my left breast and now it causing burning pain. I am confused and going to my my breast doctor soon. My mom , aunt and sister diagnosed with breast cancer . I am too much stressed. Is this cancer or the clip is causing pain. Btw I had mammogram last year because of my breast tissues are thick I am going to…
-
Are there many over 70 here to talk to?
I was dx and treated with lumpectomy and rads in 2002, had another surgery to remove scar tissue in 2011. Opposite breast (dcis) in 2023, had lumpectomy, then another surgery a few weeks later to get better margins, followed by rads to this breast. I have yearly MRI's since 2011'. This past Dec. went for the yearly and…
-
Doxil
hi my name is Ashley I was diagnosed with stage four inflammatory breast cancer at age 28 back in 2021. I recently got changed to doxil on the 3rd of April and I can’t even keep water down. I haven’t ate in two weeks. This is the worst chemo I have ever had I don’t understand why I can’t even keep water down. I went to get…
-
Where did my motivation go?
I’m a pretty resilient person and have mostly taken my diagnosis in stride. Now that I’m just taking Herceptin every three weeks and the “tough stuff” like chemo, surgery and radiation are done, I’m feeling indifferent and unmotivated even when my rational and logical side tells me that the rewards/outcomes will be good…
-
Silicone implant removal 10 years post op
Hi there! I had bilateral mas in 2013 with lat flap recon and silicone implants. I am not having leaking, rupture or misplacement issues. I do find them uncomfortable however and since I am at the 10 year mark and recently learned they were recalled, am considering removing them and not replacing them. I am 64 years old…
-
Pain with tissue expanders two weeks post double mastectomy
hi all - I had a skin saving double mastectomy two weeks ago and at the one week follow up the nurse said “you look pretty full” and saw that the PS filled one at 450 and the other at 400. After the one week appointment, as the surgery swelling went down, I started getting sharp pains at the bottom of my left chest, by the…