Topic: How common is a 2nd cancer in other breast?

Feb 21, 2011 05:27PM annettek wrote:

I am apparently one of those rare ones where mammos did what they were designed to do...after following microcalcifications in my right breast for 8 years via a small marker they left in following the biopsy - after my very FIRST mammogram- that was fun, not even back to my office when they called me back- this past October they noticed "activity" at that spot and it was the same drill, back in my office 30 minutes and I get a call, to which I said...if it is postive for cancer take both I don't want them. Never wavered, no regrets. I realize it can come back somewhere else as some other form, but that is true for anyone. I would never have been able to relax at a time I need less stress more than ever. That is just me and my decision for what it is worth. That next day (actually two days later as the next day I saw a BS) in the waiting room for the second mammo and biopsy every single woman in there was getting either their breast that had a lumpectomy rechecked or their remaining breast checked. What I didn't understand is why all who asked were shocked that I was sitting there saying I would have a bmx if the biopsy was positive. I guess it comes down to personal decision. As they were just making me more comfortable with my decision. One was very disturbed with me and said I was being cavalier about removing my breasts. I corrected her and said far from it. I mean really, it was amazing to be asked to defend my decision. I would not. I just said good luck with what you are doing but this is what I will do if I have BC. She was mad at me but I know she was just pissed off. Hell, I was pissed off and scared out of my freaking mind. It didn't help after the second mammo when the radiologist came in and called out my name. I said yes, do i need the biopsy after all (as the BS was saying very doubtful such small activity but we have to check) and he shouts ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY hahaha Geez, I told him one ABSOLUTELY would have been sufficient....i laugh because actually I am grateful that no matter his lack of tact, he is great at what he does and the team he heads up. 

May 26, 2011 05:32AM hrf wrote:

I had first in Oct 2004. Had lumpectomy, chemo, rads. In Feb 2009 had dx for other side - a new primary. I'm BRCA2+ and docs told me I should do dmx or would have a 3rd dx. Despite surveillance, the second one had already gone to lymph nodes before being found

Jul 6, 2011 03:16PM bdavis wrote:

I have had these feelings too... I had a lumpectomy in December, then chemo and was supposed to have rads but have chosen to have a BMX in two weeks... My reasons are fear of recurrance/new cancer and fear of radiation. I currently have a  pappilloma in left (cancer) breast that needs coming out and they are watching something on right side... plus I have  history of ADH... this was all just too much to monitor every six months and even though 4 doctors recommended rads, they all understood my concerns and said I would be having biopsies in my future, and didn't have an issue with my decision... Of course I am very nervous, especially since this MX is all my choice.

Aug 1, 2011 02:21PM hrf wrote:

unfortunately having a second bc is much more common than i realized

Aug 3, 2011 01:38PM Lena wrote:

...do you mean a totally different cancer, as in, if your first one was, say, hormone negative, but the new one in the other breast is hormone positive -- or just any second tumor in the breast that was healthy at the time your first bad breast was diagnosed?

I ask because I was first diagnosed in the right breast Feb 2009, but around March of THIS year, we found a tumor in my LEFT breast, which had been totally "clean" in 2009 when the right breast was full of tumor. Biopsies of both (the oncologist rebiopsied the original one specifically to compare it to the new one) showed the same kind of cancer in both. That is, IBC, ER/PR+, however...my original tumor at diagnosis had been HER2+, but now it was HER2- so they were both the same. Those tumors are gone now though, both of them. I had a BMX in May.

Aug 3, 2011 05:09PM SAOIsenberg wrote:

Hi all - since I've just been dx'd w/a second primary, thought I'd jump in on the recurrence versus second cancer topic - bdavis is right - it's a recurrence if it's in the same breast or if it's mets, a second cancer if it's in the other breast. My first cancer was crazy aggressive, invasive, ER/PR and HER2+ and stage 3. This new one (so far, we'll have full path when I get my BMX in September) is DCIS, grade 1, ER/PR+ (no HER2 done b/c it's DCIS). Not as big a deal as the first one, but a heck of a lot more surgery . . . . .

Aug 3, 2011 07:27PM bdavis wrote:

so sorry for you guys.... this is why i opted for BMX after lumpectomy... just couldn't bear the idea of going thru it again... and I know its still not a 100% protection.

Aug 3, 2011 07:51PM bdavis wrote:

no... you made an effort to avoid MX... no regrets... now you will put it behind you, once and for all

Aug 4, 2011 03:25PM bdavis wrote:

So sorry Jean... it for sure isn't fair. so what now?

Aug 4, 2011 06:37PM - edited Aug 4, 2011 06:38PM by SAOIsenberg

Jean - I'm so sorry to hear this! It's not fair and really, makes no sense . . . hoping this is some sort of firedrill and nothing that needs more attention. You're doing enough, darnit!

Betsy - if I'd had a MX in '01 it would've been just the left - no one thought it was necessary and it would've done me no good now . . . the upside of this is I will have a matched set (really trying hard to look on bright side here, can you tell?).

The hard part for me in this is "why?!" No family history, no gene mutation . . . dunno if I'm just a mutant or if I've got something not yet discovered. Would love to know . . . . 

Aug 5, 2011 01:05PM SAOIsenberg wrote:

Betsy - would agree w/you . . . someday maybe they'll determine a link between prostate and breast cancers. After all, there is a probable colon/breast link. My issue is there is NO cancer in my family at all, either side, male or female. Baffling.

Aug 5, 2011 04:28PM bdavis wrote:

Mixin... I am sure you have gotten it all...

Jan 26, 2013 07:47AM - edited Jan 26, 2013 07:50AM by ReneeinOH

Ginny465, you'll get more information that can provide a foundation for an answer to your question.  

I'm trying to make this decision. (WARNING: this might be part rant.)  This week, I saw my BS (head of the comprehensive breast center in my area; been at this 30+ years). I could have opted to get more biopsies to see if I was a lumpectomy candidate, but given the "multiple areas of concern" I said skip that part and go right to mastectomy. He said a double mast. will not increase my chances of avoiding BC coming back; that the chance of it showing up somewhere else is greater.  

I still can't shake whether he is really "in tune" with what is going on with me. I asked him if I was high risk; he said no. I'm like "really--my mom w/BC and sister w/DCIS in her 40s, plus my dad's sisters?" He didn't have my aunts' info (5 out of 6 had cancer; three w/BC; one of those in her 40s and died from it; dad had cancer too), despite me typing up a sheet because there wasn't room in the form to give all the info. After pointing out that, he said, OK, then you'd be high risk. But still same recommendation. And, I pointed out that I have dense breasts and said does that mean I'll have to get MRIs annually? He said, he didn't know about that; usually doesn't happen (other surgeon I have consulted on this said I would need that to detect cancer in that area from that point on), but that would be determined later on... MRIs is a BIG negative for me.

I guess I said my peace by making very clear that I want to do everything in my power to eliminate cancer from my body and do not want to be sitting in his office 10 or 20 years from now (although I'm sure he'll be retired by then) with BC in the healthy breast. I really don't want to go through this part a second time. I know I can only control/reduce risk so much (cannot remove the possibility of it coming back; will make some lifestyle changes, etc. I can improve, but I have to say I'm really healthy, exercise, eat better than most, not overweight, don't smoke, etc.  I just wonder WTF? why is this showing up when I'm 45. My BRCA 1&2 came out negative). What I do know is having to deal with this--breast surgery removal and whatever tx to follow--sucks big time. Worrying about something I don't even cherish (I'm done with these things. They served their purpose, but right now they are the enemy to me in my eyes) really ticks me off.

Jan 26, 2013 01:20PM carlads wrote:

Timbuktu,

I had a BMX insurance had no issues covering it.  My BS was totally in support with me having it done.  I guess it's true it can go anywhere, I just felt why take the chance of getting it in the other breast.  I think with IDC most insurances will cover it.. 

Feb 3, 2013 02:38AM - edited Feb 3, 2013 02:41AM by Karen3

Hi all

When I was first diagnosed with TN IDC in Sep 2009 I had genetic testing and a BRCA 1 mutation of 'unknown significance' was found. So after neo adjuvant chemo (with little response) I had a lumpectomy Jan 2010 and rads with just annual mammos for follow up. If you have a faulty BRCA gene mutation you have a 25% chance the cancer will show up in the other breast. I had clean mammo January 2011 so I thought all was well. Then summer 2011 felt a pain in my opposite breast and a 'raised ridge' which was growing day by day. I informed my surgical team and Sep 2011 I had a CLEAN mammo and a CLEAN ultrasound. They only did a biopsy because of my previous history. I had serious heavy bleeding as a result of that biospy. When I went into surgery they had no idea how extensive it was as it was totally invisible to scans. It was found to be 4cm DCIS grade 3 and again TN and no doubt quickly on its way to becomming another IDC. I am thankful for the pain I felt which drew me to the area! So, if you have a family history then you have a much higher chance of contralateral BC. I am now classed as BRCA 1. If you have dense breasts then even with clean mammos etc the cancer may not be found until it has progessed. Mammos detect 80% of BC so do not rely on them totally. Also be vigilant! Keep checking for any changes - including pain. I had a bilateral mastectomy in December 2011 and I am doing fine now.