Recently diagnosed with breast cancer

I recently had a call back from my recent mammogram, which unfortunately following biopsy has been diagnosed as breast cancer caused through hormone estrogen!  Now awaiting treatment planning meeting following an MRI scan which I had at the weekend.

is there anyone out there who has also been diagnosed recently, just for a shout out and possibly work together through this x

Parents
  • Hi, the same thing happened to me. It’s a really scary time but I had surgery 4 weeks ago to get rid of the cancer and I’m waiting for an appointment to start radiotherapy which will be 12 weeks from surgery.

  • Can I ask stupid question. What sort of clothes did you wear for the first few weeks? Could you lift your arm to put T-shirts on or is there something easier to wear. Can you still function with daily tasks-bathroom eyc

  • Hiya,

    haven’t had my surgery yet, I’m scheduled for early Dec.  I will let you know as soon as there.

    take care and stay in touch please 

    Kaz x

  • I’ve got my next hospital appointment tomorrow with surgeon to discuss options. 

  • Hi,

    Good luck for tomorrow x

    stay positive and keep in touch please

    kaz x

  • Hi Kaz, Jayne, Judyknitabob, Mumkat & Mummymartin, 

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 
    I am sorry to hear that you have all been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is good news that this is one of the less aggressive cancers and that it has been caught early. 

    Many cancers tend to feed on oestrogen, which is why we are prescribed hormone tablets to combat this action. Most hormone therapies disrupt the action of natural hormones within the body and thus prevent the cancer from growing, while others can stop the action of natural hormones altogether. They are often used in combination with other drugs to reduce the size of tumours before surgery, or radiotherapy treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

    I see that some of you are having a lumpectomy, whilst others are having a mastectomy. I have had both and found that the best clothing to have for both was stuff that opened at the front. It is easier to put these on and take them off, without having to lift them over your head. You will also need a soft bra that you can wear after your surgery. Most of us are advised to wear a bra at night, as well as during the day. Some find it easier to have one that opens at the front, but, despite, having a double mastectomy second time around, I managed with a back closing one on both occasions.

    I had Pure Mucinous Cancer, stage 1. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a second cancer in the same breast, within less than a year and a pre-cancerous lump in the other one less than 6 months after my lumpectomy. This was why I had a double mastectomy second time around. I took Tamoxifen for the first year, but when this hadn't managed to keep the cancer at bay, I changed to Letrozole for 6½ years after that.  In my case, neither of these came without side-effects, although some people seem to sail through without any. However, if I had to do it again, I would, as all of this happened 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I hope that this gives those of you who are starting out on your cancer journey some hope.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you all get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  • Hi Kaz, Jayne, Judyknitabob, Mumkat & Mummymartin, 

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 
    I am sorry to hear that you have all been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is good news that this is one of the less aggressive cancers and that it has been caught early. 

    Many cancers tend to feed on oestrogen, which is why we are prescribed hormone tablets to combat this action. Most hormone therapies disrupt the action of natural hormones within the body and thus prevent the cancer from growing, while others can stop the action of natural hormones altogether. They are often used in combination with other drugs to reduce the size of tumours before surgery, or radiotherapy treatment and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

    I see that some of you are having a lumpectomy, whilst others are having a mastectomy. I have had both and found that the best clothing to have for both was stuff that opened at the front. It is easier to put these on and take them off, without having to lift them over your head. You will also need a soft bra that you can wear after your surgery. Most of us are advised to wear a bra at night, as well as during the day. Some find it easier to have one that opens at the front, but, despite, having a double mastectomy second time around, I managed with a back closing one on both occasions.

    I had Pure Mucinous Cancer, stage 1. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a second cancer in the same breast, within less than a year and a pre-cancerous lump in the other one less than 6 months after my lumpectomy. This was why I had a double mastectomy second time around. I took Tamoxifen for the first year, but when this hadn't managed to keep the cancer at bay, I changed to Letrozole for 6½ years after that.  In my case, neither of these came without side-effects, although some people seem to sail through without any. However, if I had to do it again, I would, as all of this happened 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I hope that this gives those of you who are starting out on your cancer journey some hope.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you all get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
  • Hi Jolamine,

    thank you for your insight and experience, sounds like you have been through the mill with all this.  So happy that you are doing well and living life to the full.  A real trooper through it all.  

    I had my second biopsy today and this one has left a me a bit sore!  I need another MRI and hopefully that will be early next week so it doesn’t delay my treatment planning appt for 27th Nov.

    thank you once again for your response and I’m sure we will all stay in touch.

    good to know that there is always someone out there!

    Kaz x

  • Hi Kaz,

    I am glad to hear that you had your second biopsy today - you will feel sore at the site for a while. I'm sorry to hear that you need another MRI too, but hope that a date for this comes through soon. It is always frustrating and a worry, when you need these additional tests. I had to have them too. However, it is good to hear that your care team are being thorough. I'm sure that you are keen to start treatment in December.

    Please keep in touch and remember, that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx 

  • Jolamine are you on fosamax I am supposed to take itvwas I now have osteoporosis but am very reluctant to take it

  • Offline in reply to Judyknitabob Unpublished Reply

    Sorry jolamine

  • Hi Judyknitabob,

    Fortunately, when my bones were tested, I was told that I didn't need to take Fosamax. Why are you reluctant to take it?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Too many side effects I’ve researched quite a bit as you do so trying a more natural way at the moment glad   your bones are good I suspect you are probably much younger than me If my bones don’t improve I may have to take it having a discussion with my go on Friday is there anyone on here who is taking fosamax 

  • Hi Judithknitabob,

    I don't know what age you are. I am 75. Write down any questions you have for your GP before Friday and take this with you. Unfortunately, most cancer treatments carry side-effects, although not everyone is afflicted by them. There are a number of people on this site who are taking/have taken Fosamax. If you write a new post under this heading, you may find that some of them will respond to you.

    My thoughts were that I could put up with a few side-effects, if they prevented the cancer from growing. So far, this has worked for me, as I am now 14 years down the line from my first diagnosis and had a second diagnosis, the following year.

    I hope that you manage to have a helpful discussion with your GP. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx