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Premenopausal and Starting Tamoxifen -- Looking for an Ongoing Chat
I took my first dose of tamoxifen last night and am feeling so much dread around it. I put it off due to avoidance and confusion around the small impact that taking it has on my future recurrence rate (4% vs 8%). Looking to find peace in this journey and am wondering how others have figuratively 'swallowed the pill' of…
💗 April 2026 Surgery Roll Call — Step In, Speak Up, We’re With You 💗
Is surgery on your calendar this April—lumpectomy or mastectomy? This is your space. And we truly mean your space. 💗 Consider this your official roll call—but more than that, it’s your invitation to be seen, supported, and surrounded by people who understand. No matter where you are emotionally—calm, scared, overwhelmed,…
What is one thing you wished you knew about DCIS or any breast cancer diagnosis??
I went into my post DCIS diagnosis under the false assumption that my lumpectomy on the right breast and reduction on both was a one and done deal. I was not prepared for the roller coaster of events that occurred post surgery. DCIS in the 3X biopsied benign left breast, a left mastectomy, tissue expander placement,…
Am I being under-treated?
Newly diagnosed here. TNBC stage 1b grade 3. I met with my BS, MO, and RO for the fist time yesterday. Breast MRI shows a 1.5cm mass that hasn’t grown since mammo and US a month ago and no nodes involved. So the plan is: -Surgery first (I am leaning towards SMX no recon) -Chemo: 4 rounds of TC spread 3 weeks apart -No…
💗 March 2026 Surgery Roll Call—Join here for support! 💗
If surgery is on your calendar this March—lumpectomy or mastectomy—this is your place. 💗 Consider this your official roll call. Whether you’re calm, overwhelmed, full of questions, or riding every emotion at once, we want you here. Post. Introduce yourself. Let us know you’re counting down the days. This thread is more…
STILL Anthology - Celebrating Flat Closure with Fashion Photography
Exciting news to share! The STILL Anthology has dropped. It's a fashion photography project created by the incredible Lisa Taft Sylvester to help raise awareness of and to normalize aesthetic flat closure. I was invited to take part in the second volume that has just been published. It's a beautiful volume, and the stories…
💗 February 2026 Surgery Roll Call—Let’s Do This Together 💗
If surgery is on your calendar this February—lumpectomy or mastectomy—you’ve found your people. This thread is your meetup spot: a place to show up exactly as you are, whether you’re feeling steady, scared, curious, or all of the above. We’re here to swap questions, share nerves, trade tips, and offer the kind of support…
Why I chose to go flat after my single mastectomy
It's been a year since I had my single mastectomy for Stage 3 IBC. I decided to commemorate the occasion by sharing (a) what I learnt from a plastic surgeon regarding my reconstruction options and (b) why I chose to go flat. Hope my essay helps those who are thinking about foregoing reconstruction! Link to my essay:…
introduction and looking for people to connect with
Hey everyone! I have been in this "journey" for quite a few months now and have been feeling increasingly isolated. I was diagnosed at 25 and am currently 26 years old. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in the fall after a long journey to be seen properly for the lump I found. Once I was officially diagnosed,…
💗 January 2026 Surgery Crew—You’re Not Doing This Alone 💗
Are you scheduled for a lumpectomy or mastectomy this January? This space is for you. Come gather with others who truly get it as we prepare for surgery together—sharing questions, nerves, fears, tips, and hard-won honesty. This is a place for real talk, reassurance, and mutual encouragement before and after the big day.…
Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of December? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Lymph node removed but pathology says no evidence of lymphatic tissue found!
Has anybody had masectomy with sentinel lymph node removed but pathology says no lymphatic tissue found? I’m seeing breast surgeon tomorrow and oncologist next week. Will I need another procedure? I’m not sure I’m comfortable not having lymph node tested as this is my second time having breast cancer!
Having surgery in October 2025? Let's support one another here!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of October? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Advice for caregiver
Hi all My partner is scheduled for single mastectomy and implant next week. Looking for advice-tips on what type of things I can expect, what can I do to prepare for after surgery and what I can do to help her though the recovery period?
Planning surgery for November 2025? Join the waiting room for support.
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of November? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to…
Deciding on what type of reconstruction
I will be having a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on Nov 6 on Long Island,ny. My surgeon’s will be Dr Hodyl and Dr ott young. I have a new primary cancer on my right breast. Idc hr+her- (same as last time 10 years ago) I previously had lumpectomy and radiation and tamoxifen. My oncotype score was 10. I…
Large Lumpectomy vs Unilateral Mastectomy
Hello everyone, I am a 50-year-old woman recently diagnosed with stage 1A, grade 1, HER2-negative, hormone-positive breast cancer in my left breast. I had invasive ductal carcinoma confirmed in two locations. My genetic testing was negative for all cancer syndromes, and a sentinel lymph node biopsy showed no cancer.…
Post bilateral mastectomy hypersensitivity nerve pain in chest and axilla
Hi, I am new here. Recent dx of R sided ER+, PR+, HER2 - breast cancer at 40 years old. Chose B mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Just had drains removed at nearly 4 weeks post (sx was 8/12/25). I have been dealing with a lot of hypersensitivity to my chest/axilla region. I am a physical therapist by trade and plan…
Getting needle biopsy on Oct 7 2025 in Phoenix/Mesa AZ, would like oncology and surgeon recommen...
My maternal grandmother survived breast cancer back in the 1970s. (She died at 106 yrs about 15 yrs ago) . My sister is a breast cancer survivor (over 10 years now). It didn't happen to my mom. My father's half sister never got it. Mammogram found two somethings suspicious in my left breast, follow up ultrasound confirmed…
Scheduled for Surgery in September 2025? Gather here to support one another!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of September? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there"…

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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…
Managing the Holidays and Breast Cancer - how are you coping?
The holidays can bring lots of emotions — and lots of people. How do you handle gatherings, conversations, ongoing check-ins, or expectations from loved ones this time of year?
Poll: This time of year, what are you prioritizing?
The holidays can be overwhelming — what matters the most to you this year? Take a moment to answer our poll and elaborate in the thread below. Happy holidays to you each, no matter what or how you decide to celebrate!

Upcoming events

It’s OK To Ask: Breast Cancer and Breaking Taboos
Think back to a time in your doctor’s office when you really wanted to ask a question — but didn’t. Maybe you built up the courage and then changed your mind because it felt insignificant or you didn’t want to feel judged or be a burden. There are a lot of valid reasons why people hold back on asking for what they need. We…

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