Breast cancer diagnosis

In August 2025, I went to the doctor with a pain in my lower back, he suggested it could be a kidney problem and sent me for a CT scan.

The scan results confirmed no problem with my kidney, but the scan had picked up an enlarged lymph node under my right arm, this was followed by a mamogram, a further ct scan, an MRI and an ultrasound together with

a biopsy of the enlarged lymph node.

The diagnoses which followed was a shock, to be informed that the lymph node pointed to breast cancer.  An operation followed removing 4 lymph nodes, only one of which was cancerous, but unfortunately, they 

are unable to find the primary.

I feel absolutely fine physically, although a complete wreck mentally and emotionally,  I am eating, not loosing weight and the skin, the shape, the nipple has not changed in any way, it all looks completely normal.

The hospital want me to commence 3 weeks of Radiotherapy and commence taking Letrozole for 5 years, but I understand the side effects of both are pretty horrendous.  I am a very fit and active 75 year old and I

do not want the next 5 years to be debilitating and cause me to have 5 years from hell, therefore, I do not know what to do and whether to commence the treatment or not.

What I would really like is further tests and/or blood tests to see if I really do have breast cancer or not or if further investigation could be carried out. Could anybody tell me if there is anything I could have done to give me more clarity please.

Thank you.

  • Hello Gailamanda and welcome to Cancer Chat,

    It can be difficult to know what to do, especially as you don't appear to be showing symptoms, but it's important to consider all the information in front of you when making a decision like this. Your medical team are there to give you their advice and discuss these concerns you have, but you can visit guidance on our website around getting a second opinion and about breast cancer. Also if you'd to discuss anything with our team of cancer nurses, you call our helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 4040. Lines 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

    I hope this helps and all the best with making your decision,

    Moderator Anastasia