Multiple cancers

Hi I am wondering if anyone else has been diagnosed with several different types of cancer at the same time, I had ovarian cancer in 1995, I had an operation to remove the ovaries and didn’t need follow up treatment, I was fine until November 2022 when I was diagnosed with a tumour in my left parotid gland which is benign at the moment, then in February 2023 I wasn diagnosed with breast cancer, I was scanned and they found a 6cm tumour in my right kidney, a1cm tumour in the adrenal gland on the left kidney and a 9mm nodule in my right lung. I had my right kidney removed in September 24 and a right sided mastectomy in December 24. I now have nonsmall cell lung cancer and am awaiting surgery to remove part of my lung. None of the cancers have metastisised they are all independent of each other which I have been told is very rare, and even more puzzling is the fact that all my cancers have been on the right side of my body. I can’t find any kind of support group that is for someone such as myself, but I would like to know how common this is.

  • Hello Heloki

    I'm so sorry to hear about your journey with cancer and all that you've been through over the years, particularly with the recent diagnoses of multiple different primary cancers. Undoubtedly this must have been a difficult time for you and it's natural that you may be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. 

    It's not uncommon for people to have two different primary cancers and indeed we have had members post to share that news on the forum previously. I'm not aware of any members who have had multiple different diagnoses at the same time, particularly to one side of their body. I hope that given your unique situation, you feel that you've been well supported by the hospital teams looking after your care. 

    It might be worth having a look at the Rare Cancer Alliance website to see if you can find anyone else who has had a similar experience. 

    If you'd like to talk things through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. 

    I hope that your next surgery goes smoothly and that your health improves and settles. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator