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Port insertion and removal
I had breast cancer and when they put my port in I had taken 2 pills for anxiety because I have a diagnosis of severe anxiety and they wouldn’t agree to put me to sleep I didn’t tell them and when they gave me the medicine to make me groggy I was lucky enough to pass out. Now I have to get my port removed and again they…
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BCO members for 10 or more years - read their inspiring stories
The Breastcancer.org Discussion Board Community has been actively growing for over 12 years, and there are a number of members who have been involved since the beginning. Not only have they provided support and comfort to others for all these years, but they have shared the ups and downs of their journeys and inspired and…
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Watch: Mental Health and Breast Cancer Webinar
This webinar brings the hidden traumas of breast cancer into the open for an honest conversation about mental health and cancer. Experts share tips on getting support for anyone who has struggled with anxiety, fear, depression, anger, or felt overwhelmed by the emotional impact of a diagnosis. Learn about a variety of…
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Another tiny calcification dcis in same spot 3 years out!
Hi, my yearly mammo just showed a tiny 2mm area of linear dcis behind my lumpectomy scar. I was finally stable and just started having a yearly mammo, and they found this....! So, just had a stereostatic biopsy and am waiting for results, but it's in the ducts and doctor feels it's dcis again. So, I wanted to know if…
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DCIS: choosing surgery only, followed by monitoring
Hi all, Would love to start a thread for those with DCIS who chose surgery only, no RT or HR meds. I've done a lot of research and am comfortable with my decision based on my pathology and low Oncotype score. I will have monitoring twice a year, once w GYN & mammogram and once w BS & ultrasound, so should anything change…
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Is a darkening areola after lumpectomy normal?
Hello, coming to you all once again as you've given stellar comforting advice in the past. I'm two and a half weeks out from my lumpectomy, outer right upper quandrent close to the armpit. My doctor called it a deep lumpectomy and I'm thinking she went deep to assure clear margins. However my areola is dark and turning…
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Anyone enrolling in DESTINY Breast05 (HER2+, no PCR)?
I will have surgery at the end of January, beginning of February. The primary lesion still feels hard to touch so I am expecting some cells lingering between scar tissue there, preparing for no PCR and if PCR comes, it will be a nice surprise for me (I'd be so grateful). I was checking my options for no PCR and it seems…
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Has anyone just done Endocrine Therapy(No Radiation)?
Brand new to this. I’m 65 years old and was Dx with IDC in April 2023. It was found on a my yearly Mammo/Ultrasound. Had a lumpectomy on May 5th. Stage 1, Negative Lymph Nodes, Estrogen and Progesterone strongly positive, HER2 negative, Proliferation 5%. I met with the Medical Oncologist a few days ago and am meeting the…
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5 years post ILC diagnosis. Questions for doctor visit
Hi, it’s been five years since being diagnosed with ILC. On a astrodome 5-10 years. What testing should be considered to decide if I should stay on it? My oncotyoe score was originally borderline high but didn’t get chemo. My body, especially hips hurt all the time. Would love to come off it but nervous to do so. I feel…
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Is osteoporosis the cause of my injury? Doc visit tomorrow
It's been 12 years since I was diagnosed with early stage BC. It did not go to my lymph nodes and I was given radiation and Arimidex. I have been blessed with no recurrence. I'm now 65 years old. Over a month ago, I decided to start brisk walking on our treadmill for my health. I foolishly never stretched before I started…
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Bone Loss Reversed 16 Months After Finishing AIs!
A ray of hope - I finished my 5 years of letrozole sixteen months ago. I had plus T values prior to dx, but after chemo and 2 years on letrozole I had mild osteopenia, and two years later it had gotten worse - still osteopenia, but heading towards osteoporosis. I had another DEXA scan last week. I was hoping, since I was…
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Abnormal mammo and upcoming biopsy
Hi! New here. So on May 4, I had a mammogram and also a right breast ultrasound due to some pain. Ultrasound came back fine. The screening mammogram showed some concerning calcifications on right breast which they then magnified on a 3-D ultrasound at least that’s my understanding. Radiologist came in and said I have one…
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Living Without One Breast
I have to decide whether to have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. I am leaning toward the mastectomy, I don’t want to drive 30 miles for 30 days for radiation. I would like to hear from those who have had only one breast removed and how they deal with it. Do you wear your regular bra wit
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On the fence about reconstruction and getting a little desperate
I have my DMX scheduled for Feb 07. My breast surgeon, who is wonderful insisted I consult with a plastic surgeon to make sure I made an informed decision. She referred me to two PS's. I told her initially I was leaning towards an AFC, and she is fine with that too; she could do one herself; she's recommended on a flattie…
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For 5 or more years Survivors: Did you make any lifestyle changes?
Looking to learn what do survivors do to avoid recurrence? Any lifestyle changes you made? Like not eating sugar, followed any specific diet or did any changes that you think helped avoid recurrence? Thank you!
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Scared - Asymmetry seen in posterior on mammogram
I’m freaking out a bit. I had my annual mammogram on Monday and on Friday got the report. The radiologist is recommending additional imaging. The report says: PRIOR STUDY COMPARISON:3/28/2022 Bilateral MAMMOGRAPHY, SCREENING WITH 3D, CP. TISSUE DENSITY:There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density. FINDINGS:DIGITAL…
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37 year old, need advice on stopping hormone therapy early (estrogen blockers).
Hi everyone! I am looking for some advice or anyone who is willing to share their personal experiences (or studies you have found )with what I’m considering. 💗 I was diagnosed at age 36 with ER+, PR low +, HER2-, Ductal Invasive Carcinoma, and DCIS in my right breast last June of 2022. My tumour was a grade 2, and was 2cm,…
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I have Questions....looking for answers
I just found out that I seem to have extensive DCIS with multi focal microinvasions and a positive lymph node. None of my mammograms picked this up and I have them every 6 months. The MRI I just had didn't show any of it. This is a result of a second lumpectomy. I have decided to have a double mastectomy since my cancer…
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Chemo and Tamoxifen or Lupron and Letrezole
I met with my MO yesterday and her recommendation for treatment was either 4 rounds of T & C chemo and 10 years of tamoxifen or ovarian suppression and AI (letrezole) for 5 years. She did say the chemo may be over treatment for my case however because I have concerns with my ability to complete 5 years of suppression and…
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Letrozole?
I've completed chemo and radiation but when I met my MO & RO in September they both said that hormone therapy wasn't an option as my hormones were Estrogen 3% positive and Progesterone and Her2 negative. Now, they are both telling me I should do Letrozole. I've heard many horror stories from it. Has anyone taken it and how…
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Unilateral Mastectomy without Reconstruction - Mobility and Clothing
Hi everyone, I am a new member and was diagnosed with DCIS on the left breast couple weeks ago. I am still slowly digesting the "fact". Doctor suggested mastectomy, which is completely fine to me. I am 90% not going with reconstruction. So mostly likely I will be living with ONE breast. My main question is whether I will…
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Matted Axillary lymph nodes
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20 Years Cancer Free - A message of hope
Hi there I hope this message is allowed. 20 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had ducal carcinoma with one infected lymph node. I had four rounds of chemotherapy - followed by mastectomies and another four rounds of chemotherapy. Treatment was tough. I was a young mom with two little ones at home that needed…
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Implant removal
I had breast augmentation implant surgery done many years ago. Ten years ago I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I now have capsular contracture with the radiated breast. I know the implant needs to be removed and I'm trying to decide to have only the removal or a mastectomy as a preventative measure. Does anyone…
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Resuming Pump After Cellulitis?
I developed lymphedema in 2016 despite only having 3 nodes removed. I've evaded cellulitis until last week. My swelling & redness have improved significantly at the one week mark, but my armpit is still quite tender. What have others done in terms of resuming use of the Flexi Touch pump? I will double check with my…
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Claritin or Zyrtec for bone pain?
Starting chemo tomorrow and wondering which one you recommend for bone pain? I’ve read from some that they recommend regular Claritin but the nurse mentioned Zyrtec was the drug used in the study. She didn’t discredit Claritin however thoughts?
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DCIS with microinvasion
Hello Everyone. I am 48 and just diagnosed with BC on April 19th. I have been having diagnostic mammograms for about 5 years (twice a year). Ladies at the breast center say I have "busy breasts" cysts, calcifications, etc… Mammogram in March came back as a BI-RADS 4b for a lobulated hypoechoic lesion with internal blood…
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Any Adriamycin and Cytoxan peeps?
can anyone share how your chemo experience was or is on Adriamycin and Cytoxan? I start May 17th. Thank you!
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HER2- BT and HER2+ LN: Anomaly. Who knows anything about this?
How can I have both a HER- BT (breast tumor) rated “Equivocal” and a HER2+ LN (lymph node) at 50% positive? If the assumption in current cancer medicine (2023) is that breast cancer begins in the breast and spreads to the lymph node as I’m told is the case; how is it possible to have the above diagnosis? I’ve been told…
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33 yr old TNBC Stage 2B and 13 weeks pregnant
Hi community, I'm: 33 yrs old and 13 weeks pregnant Diagnosed with TNBC, Grade 3, Stage 2B Cancer found in right breast and size 3.8 cm Cancer not found in lymph nodes yet I'll be in 2nd trimester next week and my husband and I are trying to evaluate the pros/cons of different options: Option #1: Keep the pregnancy and…