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Summer/Fall 2023 Radiation Thread
Going through or starting radiation soon? Gather here to get answers, insight, and support from others navigating radiation treatment and its side effects right along with you.
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Changing chemo drug
Hello, my mom is currently going thru chemo. She had her first chemo few weeks ago “TC”. And she ended up going to ER, admitted in the hospital because of colitis. per the oncologist, chemo caused the colitis. Now she is giving us two options either stick to taxotere but less dose (every 3 week) or change to taxol (weekly)…
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In Favor of Feminism: Share Your Views
I'm starting this thread for those of us who support feminism and its beliefs, so we can exchange thoughts, ideas, inspiration, frustrations, personal stories, news stories, famous people stories, memes, book & video recommendations and other matters pertaining to women's equality. Here's a general definition of feminism:…
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Not dx with stage IV but feel it's coming
In short, I had a CT scan in August that showed a partially blocked ureter, a slight swollen kidney, bladder wall thickening, slight ascites, and my ovaries were hidden because of bowels but looked suspicious. The CT was to rule out a bump I felt in my upper adoment that my MO thought was nothing. It was nothing. But like…
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1st chemo & Fulphila injection.
Hello, I’m taking care of my mom so I’m wondering if someone can guide… she is patient of breast cancer reoccurrence. Hertue positive. And chemo is TC (every 3 weeks) she had first chemo & there were no side effects for first few days. & she got her fulfhila injection 2 days after her chemo. & same night, she’s going thru…
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Did Fosamax/alendronate slow/stop your bone loss
At the decision making point of whether to continue Aromatase Inhibitor. Just began alendronate a few months ago. Next DEXA due in July. Did Fosamax/alendronate pump the brakes on your bone loss while you continued with Aromatase Inhibitor? Or did your scores continue to decline at the same rate? Or did you see improvement…
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What is Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) and how to manage it?
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Dec 22, 2023 Dr. Kristin Rojas explains the collection of symptoms that genitourinary syndrome of menopause encompasses, as well as treatments. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the preferred term for many of the symptoms that menopause can cause, including vaginal dryness and…
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Kadcyla Continues to Improve Survival in HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Kadcyla Continues to Improve Survival in HER2-Positive Early-Stage Breast Cancer Dec 17, 2023 More than eight years of follow-up from the KATHERINE trial showed the continued survival benefits of Kadcyla over Herceptin for HER2-positive breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence. Read more…
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Visible changes and waiting on a mammogram
I'm 51, post-menopause, and have had a mammogram annually since 2020. In Dec. 2020 I had a biopsy on the right breast, it came back negative. (Yay.) This summer, the left nipple became inverted. I was dealing with other medical issues, so put off going to a doctor about that specific one. Now a doctor has seen it, and also…
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My first TC experience was not bad
I know everyone is different, and that each cycle can "hit" differently, but I just wanted to share my experience with my first round for anyone who is about to embark on a TC regimen like mine to maybe provide hope. I don't want to minimize anyone's bad experience, but also want others to know that not every cycle is…
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I'm considering a unilateral mastectomy following DCIS diagnosis
Hi. I'm newly diagnosed with DCIS following a biopsy to my left breast. Two areas of DCIS found (located near each other), 8 mm each, 1- ER+ graded intermediate, 1 - ER Neg. graded Advanced. I'm trying to decide between a mastectomy of my left breast or radiation followed by tamoxifen. I'd like to connect with women who…
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More tests scheduled
Hi everyone Well I'm back again, I know it's not where we want to be but if we have to be somewhere for support this has always been the best place to come for it. I have been here before in the past years with worries of cysts and complex cysts in both breasts where I have gone through Ultrasounds, Mammograms and MRI's. I…
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Poll: How do you manage brain fog?
Many people who are receiving breast cancer treatment say they have issues remembering, thinking, and concentrating during and after treatment. People commonly call these issues chemo brain or chemo fog, while doctors call these issues cognitive impairment or cognitive problems. It’s important to note that people who…
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Biopsy back, begin medication tomorrow
Hi all, I found out it is a return of ILC-ER+, and it looks like a spot got into my bladder as well as peritoneum and lung, hence my urinary tract issues I've been dealing with since April. My MO said it is slow growing (grade high 1/low 2) which gives me a bit of hope right now. She also said it isn't moving very fast…
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Neuropathy treatment at home
Hello, I’m taking care of my mom so I’m wondering if someone can guide… she is patient of breast cancer reoccurrence. Hertue positive. And chemo is TC (every 3 weeks) she is wearing cold gloves & socks during the chemo treatment. But I was wondering is it helpful to wear them at home everyday or every other day before her…
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NBN Genetic Mutation...anyone else?
Hello, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. Genetic testing was brought up shortly after my diagnosis. I decided against it, at the time, for several reasons...the cancer institute in the city I live does not have a genetic counselor so I would have had to travel 5+ hours for this, no family history of breast…
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Weight gain on xeloda
I'm taking xeloda and I read it can make gain a lot of weight, did anybody experienced that? Also I read that hand foot syndrome is relater with better outcome...did somebody lasted long time on xeloda without too many adverse effect? Thank you! I'm so scared and so hope it will work on me!
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Just diagnosed
I, despite knowing I should have a mammogram earlier, had my first one last month at age 50. I have dense breasts, which I knew already of course. They saw an area on the mammogram they wanted to do a needle biopsy of, which came back with LCIS. I have an MRI scheduled for Monday (they will draw blood for genetic testing…
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lumpectomy vs mastectomy - why did you choose your route?
Hi all, i was wondering if anyone could elaborate on this question. i have multifocal, grade 3 DCIS, and am contemplating another lumpectomy vs a mastectomy. my surgeon is confident she can clear the margins with another lumpectomy, and recommends radiation afterward. BUT anecdotally, so many women I’ve talked to, even…
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Starting Chemo December 2023? Gather here for support!
Join and share here to get and give support if you're scheduled to begin chemotherapy this month. Please share your diagnosis, planned chemo regimen and start date, so we can all support you as you navigate treatment — we're all here for you!
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I smell cigarette smoke!
I smell cigarette smoke constantly! No one is smoking and no one around me smells it. It's driving me crazy. I had 4 rounds of TAC last year, a bmx, 4 rounds of Abraxane earlier this year, 35 rounds of radiation over the summer and just had an ooph on Tuesday. Did one of these things cause my sense of smell to go haywire?…
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MRI found something, can't get biopsy until 1/3
Hi All, New here. Underwent breast MRI due to genetic testing coming back negative (strong family history) but personal risk being at 25%. Received this report: FINDINGS:Right breast MRI: The background parenchymal enhancement is moderate. The breast composition is heterogeneous fibroglandular tissue. No abnormal…
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Navigating a Borderline Phyllodes Tumor Diagnosis at 22
Hi everyone, I'm a 22-year-old facing a recent diagnosis of a borderline phyllodes tumor, and I could use some guidance and support. On 11/10, I noticed a tumor, leading to a biopsy on 11/14. The biopsy results were inconclusive due to uncertainty between fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumor. Following this, a lumpectomy on…
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Oophorectomy & hysterectomy experiences
Hello! I'm due to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy due to the damage 7 years on Tamoxifen has done. I'm 48 so not quite hit menopause yet although the Tamoxifen has given some sort of menopause. My question is has anyone else had the procedure and how did they get on? I made the mistake of googling ...I'll never learn!…
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The Benefits of Exercise for People Living With Metastatic Disease
The Benefits of Exercise for People Living With Metastatic Disease Dec 8, 2023 Dr. Anne May explains how exercise helps ease metastatic breast cancer side effects. In 2022, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released guidelines on exercise for people being treated for early-stage cancer. But when those guidelines…
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Breastcancer.org Research Conferences Coverage
Breastcancer.org is dedicated to bringing you the latest in breast cancer research by sending our reporters to get boots-on-the-ground breaking information at annual breast cancer conferences whenever possible. Here, we'll share our coverage and this thread will be updated as necessary in real time — make sure to bookmark…
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Research With Immediate Impact at 2023 SABCS
Research With Immediate Impact at 2023 SABCS Dec 8, 2023 Dr. Matthew Goetz tells us about the research that will change the way he talks to his patients. The 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium featured five days of research presentations, educational sessions, and advocacy meetings. Dr. Matthew Goetz, noted breast…
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Being in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinical Trial
Being in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Dec 7, 2023 Metastatic breast cancer advocate Dr. Kelly Shanahan shares what it’s like to be part of a clinical trial. Dr. Kelly Shanahan, trained as an OB/GYN, has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 10 years. For many years, she tried to join a clinical trial.…
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Pregnancy Safe After Breast Cancer in Young Women With BRCA Mutation
Pregnancy Safe After Breast Cancer in Young Women With BRCA Mutation Dec 13, 2023 Having a child is safe for both mother and baby if women with a BRCA mutation get pregnant after a breast cancer diagnosis. Read more…
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What Improves Sexual Well-Being After Breast Cancer? Many Women Say Self-Help
What Improves Sexual Well-Being After Breast Cancer? Many Women Say Self-Help Dec 11, 2023 When it comes to sexual functioning, many women with a history of breast cancer help themselves. Read more…