Active Topics

See what others are discussing and join the conversation.

Polls, Announcements, Requests

From the team

In Treatment for Early Stage Disease (I-III)? Join us on Zoom, Tues & Thurs weekly!
Join our weekly virtual support group for all who are planning or going through active treatment for early stage disease (I-III). If you've just been diagnosed and are planning surgery, chemo, or radiation, join our weekly Zoom Meetups. We have two meetings for you to register for: Register here: Tuesdays at 1:00 PM…
Connect with others by creating your profile! Here's how.
We know this community is so important, so we’ve made it even easier for you to connect with others. With this update, you can: ✅ Share more about yourself so others can get to know you ✅ Find members with similar experiences using profile searches ✅ Get personalized support and resources from our community team How to…
How to use member profile search to find others like you
Using the information you and others share, you can find others based on: 📍Location (ex: lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 🌍Demographic (ex. is Black or African-American) 🧬Diagnosis (ex: diagnosed in the last year with stage II, ER+, PR+, HER2- breast cancer) 💊Treatment (ex: has been treated with a unilateral…
Were you diagnosed young (under 45) with breast cancer? We'd love to hear from you!
Were you diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 or younger? Or are you caring for someone who was? Navigating this experience can be lonely — it can sometimes feel like no one gets it. What do you wish others knew about having breast cancer at a young age? What do you wish you had known? Your answers may help others. Click…
How has a nurse helped you through breast cancer?
At Breastcancer.org, we often hear how much nurses mean to people going through breast cancer. It’s the nurse who often explains the diagnosis and treatments to you in simple language, helps manage your side effects, offers you reassurance, and connects you with the care you need. Nurses are also a source of emotional…
What topics/experts would you like to see on The Breastcancer.org Podcast?
Hello, I'm Jamie, senior editor at Breastcancer.org and host of The Breastcancer.org Podcast. I'd like to make sure the podcast is answering questions that Community members have. Are there topics you'd like to see covered? Experts you think I should talk to? Do you want to share your story? Questions you want answered?…
Poll: What's the one piece of advice you'd give to someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer?
Getting diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary. If you had a chance to share with a newbie one piece of advice to get them through, what would it be? Choose from the options below or add your own in the discussion to give new folks a sense of calm and understanding.
Your Voice Can Shape Clinical Trials | Participate for $100 gift card!
Researchers at Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber, and Harvard Medical School are exploring how AI chatbots can make clinical trial consent easier to understand. They’re inviting adult cancer patients across the U.S. to join a virtual focus group and share their ideas. Participants will receive a $100 gift card. Spots are…

Join a current conversation

Active topics

New Protocols
I am a 10 year survivor of breast cancer (stage 1a, ER/PR+, HER2+). Now my 75 year old sister has been diagnosed with stage 1a, ER+,HER2- breast cancer. She Iives in a distant state, so I cannot go with her to all of her doctor's appointments. She saw her oncologist today for the first time and was told she is most likely…
Looking for others with low risk, less than 2cm, IDC stage 1 grade 1HR+ HER2- on endocrine therapy
Are you like me? What endocrine therapy did you follow or are you following? Pre- or perimenopausal, stage 1, grade 1, low risk, node-negative, no genetic risk, screen detected ladies, let's hear from you! What were you prescribed and how have you changed it up over your therapy? What has worked for you? I've seen four…
Aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen
I had a double mastectomy in October of 2023, radiation, fortunately no chemo. I began an aromatase inhibitor, Anastrozole, in January of 2024. At about five months in, I began to experience joint pain. It wasn't bad, just a little annoying. As the months passed, it got a bit worse, so my doctor switched me to another AI,…
Two Hospitals Provided fully two different treatments, I can not believe that
I was diagnosed Breast Cancer , ER+ 90, PR-, KI67-30% Tumor 1.8cm, her2 negative, ALAND lymph notes 3/6 positive found from surgery. stage 2, I have done surgery 07/30/2025. Oncotype score 14, UT Southwester Hospital provided the treatment with T 12 time once a week, and AC 4 times, every two weeks. Radiation 30 days. I…
Early Stage Breast Cancer - anyone on Letrozole and Ribociclib?
Wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with Early Stage Breast Cancer and on AI/Ribociclib regimen? I’m going to start after radiation and wondering how your treatment is going and if there are any tips out there! Thanks in advance!
Sex is difficult
I am finished with right mastectomy and reconstruction and left breast reduction and I'm on Anastrazole for 3 more years. My biggest issue is with sex. We always had a great relationship with sex. It was wonderful. Now I find, I cannot climax. I actually don't really have any pleasurable feelings when he touches me. I use…
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025
Top Breast Cancer Research at ASCO 2025 Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky explains DESTINY-Breast09, ASCENT-04, and SERENA-6. Jun 2, 2025 The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting featured five days of presentations and educational sessions on all types of cancer. Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, a board-certified…
Switching from AI to Tamoxifen - Bone loss
Hi, I just met with a new oncologist after the retirement of my previous one. I have been on an Aromatase Inhibitor for six years with worsening bone loss. Taking Fosamax. The new oncologist suggests switching to Tamoxifen. Total treatment time would be 8 years vs. target of 7 if I stay on AI. Has anyone had or considered…
Tamoxifen vs. Ovarian Suppression & AI
Hello! I am new here, newly diagnosed and trying to navigate all this. I was diagnosed with ILC in June 2024 and opted for a bilateral mastectomy, right breast was healthy. Currently with tissue expanders, waiting for implants in a couple months. Stage 1A, tumor was 1.7cm (grade 2), high ER+/high PR+, HER2-, Ki67 15%.…
Discontinuing Anastrozole
Hi All - In 2024 I had diagnosis of Stage 2A ductal carcinoma ER/HR+ HER2 -. BRCA 2 positive. 3cm tumor no metastasis to lymph nodes. I took an aggressive stance on surgeries, opting for a double mastectomy with nipple removal (January 2024) and then removed my ovaries and fallopian tubes in September 2024. I started AI…
Need help thinking through AI with ovarian suppression
My MO would like me to start an AI and ovarian suppression/removal. I am 42. Onc score was 31 for IDC with lobular component. No nodes. I understand that I do have a risk of recurrence but I also value an active lifestyle. I had no question mentally regarding the mastectomy and chemo. I do not feel peaceful about the…
Has anyone here declined aromatase inhibitors?
I am 70 and recently had a lumpectomy for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, 7mm. No lymph nodes involved. My oncologist prescribed anastrozole but I refuse to take it. I've done my homework and it's a quality of life issue for me. I already have mild arthritis, osteoporosis and thinning hair. I don't need more of that and…
Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer? Dec 6, 2024 Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer. New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits…
Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects
Black Women and Hormonal Therapy Sexual Side Effects November 22, 2024 Hormonal therapy is more likely to affect physical quality of life for Black women than white women. Dr. Janeane Anderson discusses her research on the topic. In the THRIVE trial, sexual side effects caused by hormonal therapy led to lower mental…
AI’s after 10 years?
It has been many years since I checked in but it’s so wonderful to see how much this thread has grown! I remember clinging to the hope here when I was first diagnosed, and now am myself more than 13 years out from my stage 3 diagnosis! My question for this wise group is how many of you have remained on an AI for more than…
Exercises to Relieve Side Effects
Nearly all breast cancer treatments cause side effects, including joint pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do when you’re having serious side effects, but research shows that it can help ease all these side effects and more. It can also reduce the risk of recurrence, give you more…
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women
Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer May Lower Dementia Risk in Older Women Sep 9, 2024 Protection varied by race and decreased with age. Read more…
Aromatase inhibitors
Hi I am post lumpectomy, micro metastasis in 1 removed lymph node and now faced with the far more daunting ( to me) prospect of taking letrazole oestrogen inhibitor. Does anyone have anything positive to say about them? All I hear is the negative side effects. Others experience would be very welcome. I’m 61, normal weight,…
Doing Well on Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
I read a suggestion that someone should start a topic for women who are NOT experiencing severe SEs while taking Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. I'm about to start taking Arimidex and when I read about the potential SEs I get discouraged. Maybe others would also like to hear about positive experiences. We would love to hear…
Are medicinal mushrooms safe for ER/PR + survivors?
I’m a seven year stage III hormone positive survivor and will be completing 7 years of hormone therapy (currently on Exemestane, but been on Tamox and Letrozole also) in Nov 2024. My Onc recommends I stay on the max length of 10 years. But I’m struggling so much from the side effects and/or what seems like irreversible…

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Unanswered posts

These posts are awaiting responses - can you help?

Check them out