Dear MaggieA thank you for your email.

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis of breast cancer.  I think the doctor you spoke to may not have known the details of your cancer when he did speak with you or did not think about telling you the details, especially as you have just been diagnosed.

IDC means Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This is the most common type of breast cancer.   

Grade refers to the cancer cells and how fast they are growing in the biopsy they took. A general way to understand this is that grade 1 is slow growing, grade 2 intermediate and 3 is faster growing.  

Triple negative refers to the hormonal status of your cancer and if it is positive to the protein HER 2.  This result means that your cancer does not have oestrogen or progesterone receptors on it and it is HER 2 negative.

You are having further scans to make sure the cancer is only in the breast and has not spread.  Knowing this gives the stage of the cancer and this is needed to know how best to treat you.   

We have more information about the different types of breast cancer, how it is graded and staged and treated on our website here 

You will have a breast care nurse allocated to you who will be able to give you more information about your situation and support you.

I realise that this is a lot of information to take on board. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care

Caroline