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Recently diagnosed stage 4 breast cancer

Wilko
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I was recalled from routine mammogram, had biopsies and told I had stage 2 breast cancer (2 types) HER2+ and spread to lymph nodes. Jyst getting my head around this and the planned treatment when the CT showed it had spread to my lungs. I've gone from nothing to stage 4 in two weeks. From curable to maintaining. My head is a mess and I just can't think straight- the words stage 4, pallative, terminal etc just keep making me think this is it. I'm currently waiting oncology appointment to discuss next steps.

Does stage 4 necessarily mean that cancer is terminal and does that in turn mean no hope.

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    Hi I didn't want to read and run away. No stage 4 doesn't mean terminal and you can live with it for years it's more like chronic illness that needs to be controlled by medication same as diabetes or arthritis. Terminal means no more treatment options left and less than 6 months to live. I hope you get your treatment plan soon and I promise it will get easier. I'm nearly 4 years after chemo and on maintenance treatement for triple positive. I had my ct scan results back today and again no distance metastasis found and I had them in lungs and liver. Good luck x

    Kaz

  • Offline in reply to Kazzzz
    • Thank you - I've had a good chat with BCN tonight and feeling much more positive. Thank you for replying and I'm glad all is going well.
  • in reply to Wilko

    Hello Wilko, and thank you for posting. Good to see you have had some support from another forum user, and you have spoken to your BCN since posting here.

    There is a lot of different terminology used in medicine that can be confusing and overwhelming.

    Stage 4 breast cancer means that the cancer has spread from the original site. But it is for the hospital team to work out what that means as far as treatment and control of the disease, and these treatments are improving all the time.

    Your oncologist will discuss with you what treatments they feel best suit your situation to get the best outcome. They may not be able to cure you, but they will work to gain as much control of the cancer as possible.

    Breast Cancer Now, the UK's breast cancer charity, also has good information on this cancer, also known as secondary breast cancer, if helpful.

    You have a lot to process, I hope you have support at this time.

    Take care and if you want to talk to the nurses then call freephone 0808 800 4040, lines are open mon-fri 9-5.

    Sarah.

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