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💗 January 2026 Surgery Crew—You’re Not Doing This Alone 💗
Are you scheduled for a lumpectomy or mastectomy this January? This space is for you. Come gather with others who truly get it as we prepare for surgery together—sharing questions, nerves, fears, tips, and hard-won honesty. This is a place for real talk, reassurance, and mutual encouragement before and after the big day.…
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is there something to take to raise low blood test numbers
On my 3rd infusion, and when blood is taken some of the numbers are low.
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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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Going flat or breast reconstruction
Scheduled to have bilateral mastectomy next month. I am very much undecided if I want to have reconstructive surgery or not and go flat. If I go flat, I am afraid I might get depressed as my body will be very different. With plastic surgery, I’ve read of women having so much pain and needing to do more procedures…
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Scares That Turned Out To Be Nothing
Husband here. My wife was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago. She is doing well. But that's not to say there haven't been more than a few moments of high anxiety thinking something's wrong or just waiting for test results to rule out a recurrence or mets. I hope it's ok with the great members here that I start a thread that's…
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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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Mammography Post-Tramatic-Stress
During my pre-surgery mammographies, all of the caregivers were gentle, thoughtful, careful, and informative in explaining what each procedure was for, including chip marker injections. I had not experienced much pain other than the expected discomfort with all mammos. September 2024 I scheduled and went for my first full…
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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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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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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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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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Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
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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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Breastcancer.org Podcasts: Experts discuss research & issues
Our podcasts feature experts discussing a wide variety of breast cancer issues and the latest research on breast cancer. Check out all of Breastcancer.org's Podcasts here. In the premiere podcast, we're excited to bring you a summary of the research highlights from first day of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2013!…
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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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Long-term survival of DCIS patients without radiation or hormone therapy
I'm interested in hearing from people who did not have radiation or hormone therapy after a lumpectomy for DCIS
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Calling all TNs
I think that we tn's need to have a sign up list like some of the other threads have...maybe put your age, and also what treatment you have had or are now having. What to do you think? I can start: age 50, diagnosed at age 49 1/2, lumpectomy, 4 AC Dose dense (every two weeks) and 4 Taxol, Dose Dense every 2 weeks. 35 rads…
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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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Success Stories!
Every now and then I read a post on this forum that talks about somebody who has lived a long time with disease. I know there have even been threads with many node positive success stories and stage IV survival stories. These have been the most uplifting influences for me on my journey. In a world of breast cancer where…
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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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New diagnosis
I was diagnosed with DCIS in Oct 25 left breast. Had lumpectomy in Dec 25 & reduction mammoplasty in right breast & told would have radiotherapy in Feb/March on left breast. Told very good prognosis. Pathology results in Jan filled me with total panic. Told I had 11mm grade 2 invasive ductual carcinoma in left breast &…
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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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Anyone on TRUQAP?
Hi all, it looks like I'm going to be starting TRUQAP soon as an alternative to Piqray. However, it looks like TRUQAP and Piqray both come with some pretty nasty side-effects. I was hoping T would be easier than P. From what I've read, it sounds like Imodium AD may become my newest friend. Yuck! I was hoping for an easier…