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Rise in Tumor Marker
I’m about 1.5 years out of treatment with left IDC stage 1a triple positive. Had a routine blood panel run and my CA 27.29, which had never been high, was 159. A bilateral diagnostic mammo a few weeks ago was BIRADS 2 with a lingering, but shrinking seroma. They’d finally moved me back to annual screening mammos and six…
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For those diagnosed with fibroadenoma, did your fibroadenoma grow before your six-month follow-up?
Last May I noticed a lump in my right breast. It was the size of a pea. I had an ultrasound and the radiologist gave me a Birads 3 stating it was a fibroadenoma (two actually, one I couldn't feel but showed up on the ultrasound), and told me to come in 3 months for a follow-up. I went in August, again Birads 3, the…
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Is symmetry possible with SMX + perky remaining breast?
Hi! I have searched the forum, but couldn't find any posts that were exactly my question. I have been dx with DCIS. As a fun bonus, I probably have body dysmorphia and I am really worried that if I end up at all 'disfigured' in my appearance, I will become significantly depressed. So, my main concern with this diagnosis is…
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Medicaid Application/Renewal Survivorship Anxiety
I am a 39-year-old cancer survivor, and due to my BRCA mutation, extensive family history, and the fact that my cancer was triple negative, my oncologist has me under observation for the foreseeable future. I originally lived in Wisconsin, but moved to Texas in early 2019. I was transferred from the Wisconsin Well Woman…
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Bleeding during biopsy - is it normal?
I've had my biopsy on Monday and I have a question about the procedure. I was too stressed to ask the doctor when she was doing it, and then when it was all over, I couldn't wait to get out of there. So, here I am, asking you. I was lying on the side with my arm up, I kept my eyes closed during the biopsy, but the first…
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New here - First post - RIB PAIN
Hi everyone. First time posting so I’m not actually really sure what I’m doing. I just need someone to talk to. I’m 35 - I was DX in June last year. HER2+ only. Stage 3. SMX - full response to chemotherapy- PCR Ive been having pain in my Ribs on my left hand side ( same side as my cancer was ) since October. ( before…
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Ultrasound results please help
I'm 45 and at my regular check up my dr. told it was time to start mammograms. Since I'm self employed, my insurance doesn't pay for preventative care so I decided to pay for a "herscan" 3D ultrasound instead of a mammogram b/c it was advertised as more thorough and I was going to have to pay anyway. The results came back…
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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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Worried about upcoming biopsy and next steps
Initially diagnosed in 12/2018 with triple positive IDC. Had full treatment and have been on AI’s ever since. Recent mammogram shows fine pleomorphic calcifications in the lumpectomy bed (BI-RADS 4). I have a biopsy scheduled for Thursday, and I am trying to figure out next steps if it is a recurrence. I had bad cording…
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4mm irregular mass
Hi, I had a 3D mammo and they found a 4mm irregular mass in the middle lower base. They said because of insurance reasons I have to wait for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound. I am losing my mind. She said try not to worry because the mass didn’t show up on one view and she said that’s common with dense breast tissue. Does…
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Asymmetry on first screening mammogram. Scared. Please help.
I'm 40 and got my first screening mammogram (3D) a few days ago. They found a "small lateral asymmetry best seen on CC tomosynthesis" on my left breast. They didn't see any microcalcifications. They captured a few extra images, so I'm guessing they saw it on multiple ones. The BIRADS score is 0, which means they need…
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Getting overwhelmed by all the information -- lumpectomy in 2 days
Hi everyone, I'm so glad I found this site — just reading some of the posts has been helpful. I received my post-biopsy diagnosis through my online health portal (not a nice surprise first thing on a Saturday morning), so it's been a rollercoaster of emotions. My diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma, low grade, hormone…
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Scanxiety... help
I have just had the results of a CT scan and have been told im being referred for a Bone scan 😬😬 Apparently i have a slight thickening on one of my ribs help! I've been told its been on my scans since diagnosis in October last year, and althought mention on my previous 3 scans, and unchanged... the most recent radiologist…
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Dimpling in left breast at 26, worsened over time, ultrasound scheduled
Hello, Thank you for providing this space. I am 26 years old with no history of trauma or surgery to the breast. I also have no children and have never breastfed. As I am in between insurance during the midst of all this (recently lost my job), I do not have a PCP and paid out of pocket to be seen as soon as possible. The…
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Possible Recurrence
I was diagnosed with Stage 1 IDC and high grade DCIS in August of 2022. I had a lumpectomy to remove both spots in September and additional surgery to get clear margins on the DCIS in October. I had 4 weeks of radiation and I am taking Letrozole since the IDC was estrogen positive. I had my first mammogram this week and…
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Ear pressure on TCHP
Hi everyone! I’m a lurker on this group and am so thankful for all of the help I’ve gotten as I go through treatment. Did anyone have ear pressure issues on chemo? I’ve had what feels like clogged ears for the past month nonstop and it’s driving me nuts. 🤣😩 I can still hear fine, nothing sounds muffled, it’s just pressure…
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Persistent IBC symptoms, confusion and fear about what to do next.
Hi, I am re-posting as my last post went up just before the forums migrated over to their new and improved update! I am 36F and having a lot of trouble 1) differentiating between symptoms and anxiety and 2) understanding what to do next. I fear deeply that I am just allowing IBC to progress, knowing it moves quickly, but…
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Waiting to hear...Have you checked your patient portal?
Sisters, By day two of waiting for my biopsy result, I decide to look into my hospital's patient portal. You may have set up an account yourself with your doctor's office. To my surprise my results were right there under "RESULTS" and thankfully was good news. My doctor called to give me the results over the phone another…
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Architectural Distortion Found in Dense Breasts
Hello Group. I am so worried and would ask for some advice and support. I have constant call backs on my mammograms and I am fearing that the ongoing callbacks are ominous. Several years ago on my left breast I had a surgical biopsy, it was calicification. Then four years ago I had a needle biopsy on my right breast,…
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Pap Flap reconstruction and recovery?
Hi all! I'm due to have a single sided Mastectomy and immediate Pap Flap Reconstruction in a week or so. I would really like to hear anyone's experience of Pap flap recovery as I'm struggling to find any tips/ advice about recovery. Thanks so much in advance!
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Severe health anxiety
Ok had the worst night of sleep since this nightmare began at my 6 mo diagnostic mammo a few weeks ago. My background is that I suffer from intense health anxiety and have a long history of panic attacks. I do not medicate because I have an intense fear of medications. (was once given pain meds after a c section and had…
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Watch: Mental Health and Breast Cancer Webinar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7DA6DIT6LM&t 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…
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Research News: ASCO Updates Guidelines on Managing Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors
ASCO Updates Guidelines on Managing Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors April 29, 2023 ASCO has released new guidelines to help doctors offer the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression after a cancer diagnosis. Read more…
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Need encouragement and support
Hello everyone, I posted here about a month and a half ago about some concerning symptoms and received some lovely responses which I really appreciate. I did follow up on my symptoms with a mammogram ( negative results) but I have very dense breasts and after all my reading on here and research it appears that mammograms…
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Mental Health Resources from Breastcancer.org
Surprised it’s only 1 in 4? You’re not alone. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, it is common to experience many emotional highs and lows. For some people, the effects of trauma caused by breast cancer can linger for months to years after being diagnosed. Here are some useful links from the pages of…
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Managing the Emotions of a Cancer Diagnosis
From first hearing the words "you have cancer" through treatment and post-treatment, it is not uncommon to feel anxious, angry, afraid, numb, confused, or depressed. Accepting the diagnosis and figuring out what cancer will mean in your life is challenging, and adjusting to the emotions takes time. Breastcancer.org…