Recent Discussions

In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a left mastectomy. My treatment plan included localized radiation therapy to my left shoulder/armpit area. Well, unbeknownst to me, that treatment—along with a subsequent 2024 tumor removal in my left axillary tail (armpit)—was silently leaving behind deep,…

Hello everyone, July 2024 – Diagnosis: breast cancer ER+ / HER2 negative, with lymph node involvement, no metastases, stage IIIA. I had a CT, MRI, and PET-CT before starting chemotherapy. August 2024 – I started chemotherapy, but before that I measured CA 15-3, which was elevated at 74 U/ml. It increased up to 92 halfway…

My plastic surgeon let me know due to the amount that any form of a lumpectomy and radiation would leave my impacted side quite disfigured. Knowing that I have decided to have at least a single mastectomy with reconstruction. with hormone positive that still leaves me needing tamoxifen. I also have extremely dense breast…

Recently diagnosed with DCIS and lumpectomy removal of it. Yet i have a history of having BC 12 years ago at age 40. So my right breast was radiated. still the skin looks good but also had an incision around the areola. Im Opting for a mastectomy. the breast surgeons all say no nipple sparing. high chance of complications…

I am currently being treated with enhertu for stage 3 breast cancer. Over the past month or so the side effects have been more than physical. I have felt the depression creeping in, and then the panic attacks started. Now they are daily. I have so much help from my husband, oncologist, therapist, and psychiatrist. But…

I'm in treatment for ILC, ER+, PR+, HER2-. I had a unilateral mastectomy (left breast) with a tissue expander on August 10. (Stage 1b) Fortunately the lymph nodes were not involved, so I won't need radiation and it's unlikely I'll need chemotherapy. (I meet with the medical oncologist next week for the first time.) My…

Hi all, I’m getting my question in very late in the game, I know, but I’m feeling very overwhelmed in several areas of life and I just wanted to ask for some help knowing what to expect. In a day and a half, I’m having a bilateral reconstruction. On my left side, the expander got infected 6 weeks after a lat flap…

I’ve been taking Arimidex for almost 10 years based upon my Breast Cancer Index test. Due to hospitalization this year (not related to BC) I had some bone loss.I also get Prolia injections every 6 months and will be handed over to my endocrinologist. My oncologist said I to stop my Arimidex now since I’ve taken it for 9…

Would like any feedback from others with my type or similar with their experience in choosing the hormone blocker pill type (if you took, what was your experience) or if you choose not to take hormone blocker? I'm through the lumpectomy, 4 chemo sessions & 16 radiation sessions. I'm VERY conflicted on taking a hormone…

hello everyone, I am new to this forum and wonder if anyone can help me. I have invasive lobular cancer which had spread to my lymph glands by the time I was diagnosed, a year on and I an I have had a mastectomy, completed radiotherapy and have started taking Letrozole.. My Oncologist yesterday has offered to start me on…

(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…

I myself diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma 5mm stage one 3/25/26, breast cancer is not in my family history and apparently it doesn’t have to be but when I was age 16 and now age 62 my mother was in nursing school for RN licensing and she made sure her daughters knew how to perform a breast exam, I did one night and…

I am unfortunately diagnosed 4 weeks ago: IDC/NST, left breast, Stage IIA, Grade 2, node-negative, ER+ 80% / PR+ 90% / HER2- (IHC 0), low mitotic activity. MRI shows two foci 8mm apart with a subtle enhancing band between them, so either multifocal with a largest lesion of 26mm, or a single 58mm lesion. The tumor board…

what are those of you doing that are not taking HRT for menopause symptoms? My docs are not on board with any form of HRT. And for reference, I was 37 years of age when Dx’d with hormone negative DCIS. Now I am 47.. and I feel like I’m going through the throes of menopause, especially mood swings and severe anxiety… so I…

After 17yrs….. 2009 double mastectomy, silicone implants and alloderm, I finally visited a plastic surgeon who said I have implant capsular contracture on both sides. I had normal MRI results in 2012 and 2023 to check for implant leaking. I am surprised how extensive this surgery plan is. 1st surgery to remove the implant…

I'm wondering if there is a topic just for de novo Stage IV. I'd like to know how people found out. Did you have symptoms that led you to the doctor for an answer? Was it found out of the blue when you had another issue and how was it found? Are there others like me who have never shown it in your breast but only where it…

Breast implants since 2002 Breast cancer the first time in 2018. 1a, lumpectomy and Savi radiation, then on Anastrozole for two years. Now (9/3/26) diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC, having first consultation with surgeon next week. Has anyone had implants removed and had either lumpectomy or mastectomy ? Also did you have…

Hi, I am so happy to find this group. There don't seem to be many places for us to connect about tubular cancer! Like many of you, I am trying to figure out if tamoxifen is worth the risk. I am 55, peri-menopausal and had a single mastectomy (with DIEP) 2 months ago. My diagnosis was large volume DCIS (hence the mastectomy…

Hi all- During the summer of 2011 I began to experience flaking on my right nipple. I showed it to my gyn at my yearly check-up, and she recommended using some hydrocortisone cream on it, and getting a mammogram. The flaking continued off and on, and I finally got a mammogram about six months later. The mammogram showed…

After two primary breast cancers, two major complications and waaaaay too long with a once-infected tissue expander still in, I’M HAVING IT ALL CLEANED UP! Couldn’t do it with a DEIP like I had hoped, so both the expander (left) and the silicone implant (right) will be removed, the capsular contracture tissue will be taken…

I am very new to these boards so I am not too familiar with all the terms and abbreviations but I do find the posts very helpful. I've been lurking around but have never posted anything until now. I had a mastectomy on my left breast on March 5th and reconstructive surgery at the same time. Surgery wasnt too bad and…

Starting this for a friend. Edited to explain that the friend was imbell who was feeling overwhelmed by wbr. She helped us all by starting this. Shes in peace now. See you in the clouds, imbell.

Hi ladies! ❤️ I'd love to hear from my fellow breast cancer survivors. I was diagnosed in December 2019 with Stage 1 ER+,Her2+ breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy, chemo, Herceptin, and Tamoxifen for 6 years. During my own treatment, I became very aware of how difficult it can be to track, understand, communicate,…

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal-therapy/camizestrant We hope this provides some hope! —The Mods

Monday was my first treatment, felt good for a few days then on Thursday it me. Nausea, flu like symptons and then diarrhea. Starting to feel better toda6, but have little or no energy. I go Monday for f/u with my Oncologist hopefully she has some tips to relieve side effects. I find it hard to stay hydrated though. Any…

Hi everyone, My first post on here ;-) I had single mastectomy in 2023 DCIS stage 0 and reconstruction in 2024. I thought I was doing ok but lately I’m becoming super anxious about what I can and can’t take. Everything I research contradicts from site to site (Google!) . Prior to diagnosis I’d been on HRT and taking marine…

I've been receiving marvelous book suggestions on another thread and it was recommended that I start a Book Lovers thread. This is not for BC or health books -- this is pure escapism!!! I've collated the suggestions (with snippets describing the plots) I've received thus far. Please post your recommendations too!!

Hi there, I'm curious if anyone here is enrolling or planning to enroll in either of these clinical trials. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02732171 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04523857 I sent them some questions just to be sure I know what I might be committing to. Looking to connect with others may be…

Do you ever feel as though you need to diminish your own needs for support or care in order to put on a brave face for people in your life? Has it been difficult to allow yourself to be vulnerable with friends and family, out of fear or concern that you might be a "burden" or that the reality of what you are facing would…

It can be tricky to navigate the transition back to "normal" after a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Please share your experiences with finding/reconnecting with the person you were before breast cancer, and share what has helped you feel most like yourself again.