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BMI during fat graft
sorry I am not familiar with all the technical terms yet but being offered a flap surgery with fat grafting following a mastectomy. The surgeon today was trying to tell me that I was not an ideal candidate because of my BMI 35. I told him that just means I have more fat to give. But he said that it’s a higher risk surgery…
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Podcast: Acupuncture Helps Ease Chemo Brain
Acupuncture Helps Ease Chemo Brain December 12, 2025 At the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dr. Jun Mao, an integrative medicine specialist and licensed acupuncturist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, presented research showing that both real and sham acupuncture can help improve cognitive function in…
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Tips for Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Tissue Expander AND Implant Exchange
My Breast Cancer Journey from the perspective of a physician/patient/wife/mom of 3 boys and 1 pup: Dec 2022- First screening mammogram (Age 45, no risk factors) found over a 5 cm area of microcalcifications of left breast near nipple, which then led to 4 additional mammograms and ultrasound biopsy. Biopsy showed DCIS, high…
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Keto
Hello Do you eat red meat and cheese? Thanks
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Supplements with treatment
is this a topic we can talk about here or is it taboo? I’ve read a lot of things and I want to support medical treatment or enhance - not replace or interfere….
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CBD and Estrogen
Does anyone have knowledge of the relationship of CBD with Estrogen? I recently heard an expert in a lecture say that canabinoids provide estrogen. That contradicts other information available. Does anyone have anything current?
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Important Links on Complementary & Holistic Medicine
Varying opinions on treatment and health are expected in the discussion boards, but please refrain from offering specific medical advice to members. We encourage you to please take the time to read the medically vetted and edited information that we provide on our main BCO website, and always consult your medical team…
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Failed reconstruction
Hi all, I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2010 and had a partial mastectomy and radiation on my left breast. In 2014 I was again diagnosed with High grade DCIS in left breast. I had a double mastectomy including nipples and a Tramflap operation using the skin, fat and muscle from my stomach to create breasts. I absolutely hated…
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Gardening, anyone?
I'm still under a ton of snow, and it's only 9 degrees today, but I just signed up for our county's Master Gardening program. Now I can't wait to dig in the dirt. I have little knowledge and hope these classes help. I love flowers and plants but do not have a clue what to do with them. I'd love to hear from others who…
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HER2 Positive-anyone 10 years out?
Hi ladies, I was wondering if there are any women out there who are 10 years or longer with her2 positive breast cancer? When I was diagnosed in 2008, my prognosis said '80% chance of no recurrence in 10 years'. Wondered what they based this on, as I have yet to talk to anyone past 6-8 years and they seem to have had…
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💛March 2026 Chemo Check-In: You don't have to do this alone!💛
If chemo starts for you this March, let this be your sign to step in and say hello. 💛 You do not have to face this chapter quietly—or alone. This space is here to hold the real stuff. The anticipation. The fear. The courage. The logistics. The “how is this going to work?” thoughts at midnight. However you’re…
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What Has Helped You Feel More Like Yourself Again?
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.
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20 year survivors (or more) of triple negative breast cancer
Today is pretty exciting, I am officially a 20 year survivor of triple negative breast cancer.. pinch me!! Are there others out there who have reached this milestone? I wrote frequently on this forum in 2006. I am from Calgary AB Canada, was 42 when diagonsed in 2006 stage IIA, grade 3, 1 postive breast node. Was in a…
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Halaven - Day 1
So, I'm the first person on this newly approved chemo at my med center. Lots of people who told me side effects.... They had a fancy dinner put on by the drug company last night so they all would know about it... :) Funny, no one gave ME steak and shrimp. Anyway, got hooked up to some saline as usual (altho, my onc's nurse…
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autologous fat transfer - poor result
last week I had liposuction and fat transferred to the breast area where I had a mastectomy. I also had a lift and reduction on the other side. I was a D on that side and now it's probably a small B. The fat transfer doesn't show any noticeable increase in the volume of the breast. I understand there are limits to what the…
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peritoneal carcinomatosis
I am looking for others who have peritoneal carcinomatosis who would like to share their stories and treatments.
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Trying to find similarly aged people for a friend to talk to
Hi everyone, I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with breastcancer and is now undergoing treatment. She has expressed to me that one of the things that she is struggling with is not having any similarly aged people to talk to at the local support groups. I believe she has stage two breast cancer and she is in her…
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AI Chart Notes From My Doctors
Hello! Recently I noticed my doctors have started using AI to write up their chart notes. Everywhere I had said “I have concern about….”, the AI Monster wrote “I have anxiety about….” which to me is NOT the same at all. This last chart note was so humiliating (even my usually placid husband was shocked because he was there…
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Have you experienced PTS or PTSD following a breast cancer diagnosis?
Please share below your experiences with PTS (post-traumatic stress) or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). How has this affected your life, the way you feel, your relationships, activities? And how are you managing?
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Community Recommendations for EXTERNAL RESOURCES (Non-Book)
ALL EXTERNAL RESOURCES (Non-Book)Below is the consolidated list, and we invite you to please add in the discussion!! 🧠 Mental Health, Coping, Wellness Calm Meditation App — https://www.calm.com/ua-homepage Project Life (Virtual Wellness House) — https://www.projectlifembc.com/ Moving with Milly (YouTube)…
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19 years later - reccurence in supraclavicular lymph
19 years ago (43YO) - DCIS, Uni Mastectomy, no further treatments Now - Postmenopausal (3 years), swollen supraclavicular lymph node (same side as initial mast), PET scan also found 2 other lymph nodes - intramammary at 2nd rib, and mediastinal node (near spine and heart). ER+, PR+, HER2- Dr says it is a unique situation…
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Waiting for biopsy
51 yr old high risk from family and had a mri. Found something. Was sent in for ultrasound. Now they have 2 spots in my right breast that waiting for biopsy appointment. Very scared. Dense tissue in both wonder if they should have done a ultrasound on the left too?
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Lymph Nodes on Ultrasound
Many of you have experienced pain under the arms or felt "swollen" lymph nodes and have had reports that were just short of complete in describing them in my opinion. The overall size of a lymph node is more often less important than their internal architecture in breast cancer. The key is the thickness of the cortex and…
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My 20th year is finally here!
April 28, 2006…the day my life changed forever. As most of you know, it's hard to imagine life beyond those three words "you have cancer" (or in my case it was "we have a problem.") Soon after my diagnosis, my husband & I were on the sidewalk in Cannon Beach discussing my condition with a friend. We were approached by a…
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Trodelvy vs Eribulin SDX 7320
Hi, I'm Vita.My mom is Stage 4 Triple Negative breast cancer, now metastasis to liver. We have to choose this week which chemo... does anyone have any experience with these 2 listed above? Any info will be appreciated...
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Request for Opinion on Adjuvant Chemotherapy Strategy
I am reaching out to seek your opinion regarding the adjuvant treatment plan proposed by two different oncologists. By way of background, my mother is 68 years old and has already undergone breast-conserving surgery for a left breast lesion. The primary mass was removed successfully. During surgery, additional suspicious…
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Any newly diagnosed women from Vancouver BC?
Just diagnosed with IDC with lobular features. ER and PR + and HER2 - I’m scheduled for surgery June 11th - a lumpectomy with a Sentinel node biopsy. My “non affected” breast hasn’t been checked/had an ultrasound … I believe this should have been done, or should be done prior to surgery. if this cancer is estrogen fed…
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Tiredness and dose reduction kisqali
hey everyone. my first post. I am 18 months into treatment with stage 4 in bones. Ive had a couple late starts on treatment due to neutropenia and a gross gastric event shall we call it. anyone else really tired sometimes on this stuff?? I’m lucky fortunate to have stability on this stuff and very grateful for that but it…
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What do Percentages really mean?
I went for my first mammogram after treatment today. They didn't really tell me anything but I just checked the portal and my report was out there and it doesn't appear as if they found anything in either breast. For a brief second I felt ok but then I saw this "Breast MRI screening in six months (This patient has a…
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Pelvic ultrasound question
Hey I just wanted to get someone else’s opinion. I just had a pelvic ultrasound done for some irregular bleeding,pelvic pressure and pain. I am 4 years on tamoxifen. It was done in my GYN’s office and was told the doctor would read it. I asked if it would be sent to a radiologist and they said no. It worries me with my…