hi I'm very much the same as you in this also diagnosed with grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma through mammogram no visible signs or Manuel lump finding cancer in the very early stage I'm so grateful for the mammogram and the hospital treatment I've been given I had my lumpectomy with sentinel node removal although no nodes affected I've now got my treatment plan starting radiation treatment on the 18th December with hormone blockers to reduce the estrogen in my body the behaviour of my cancer tested with oncotype DX where 21 genes gave me the results ER positive Her2 negative and oncotype score of 20 means that I would not benifit chemotherapy so that I managed to get away with I'm feeling well at present  and  over the anxiety that was brought on by the shock horror of the diagnosis I had no idea whatsoever I had breast cancer I'm feeling confident and back in control the diagnosis did knock me down physically and mentally for a short time but 3 months later  hey ho you just get stronger every day to beat this .

best wishs with your journey marie x

here if you need any advice or just a chin wag !  

Hi [@MB01]‍  [@RuthieH17]‍  and [@Bibi49]‍ 

Well it looks like we're our tribe! All diagnosed at around the same time. 

I'd felt tenderness in both boobs last year and was convinced it was menopausal but, my doctor sent me for a mammogram and that time all was clear. Then, the last few months, my right breast felt tender again and I would often find myself giving it a little rub. I told myself to stop worrying as I'd had the all clear last year. Then I got a letter inviting me for a routine mammogram because I'd joined the over 50+ club. That mammogram saved my life as there was no lump, just a small cluster of microcalcifications. But, what frightens me is that I would have ignored the tenderness and yet the cancer is in that exact spot. God knows what would have happened. Also, the microcalcifications don't show up on an ultrasound so it has to be a mammogram.

Apparently, 11 patients from my doctor's surgery were diagnosed at the same time as me and all as a result of routine mammograms.

I'm sorry your experience was different Bibi and yes, both are needed and life saving.

Due to Christmas and my surgeon's holiday, I'm having my surgery on 7th Jan so I'll be following you all. I have though, already started Tamoxifen .... and Oh well!  The menopause - the gift that keeps on giving

Take care x

Hi CazStu

So many familiar stories from so many women, it really does prove that screening is NECESSARY !!!

I turn 50 next year and would not have gone for a mammogram until I was invited as routine 1st screening. I was invited as part of AgeX screening Clinical Trial our NHS is running for extending age range for breast screening to include some women under 50 or over 70. This really did save my life !

I consider myself extremely lucky and believe someone was definitely looking out for me. My op is next week and can't wait to get to the next hurdle of treatment path.

People ask me "how are you coping ?" I tell them you just have to, unfortunately we don't get the luxury of choosing. Important to have a good solid support network around you (preferably they leave the sad eye head tilt at home). 

Good luck with everything, will drop a line after my op next week and let you know if I look like Smurf.....

The Menopause....ther aren't many gifts that keep on giving ;-)) x

Wow, so many months ago. Seems a life time!

How is everyone? 

I've just started chemo, after a week I'm feeling normalish again 

X

Aw! How lovely to hear from you [@Bibi49]‍ 

I'm doing really well thank you. I had my double mastectomy and reconstruction in January and came home the next day. My physical recovery was fine - just needed a bit of physio at one point but apart from that all was good. Mentally, I feel like I got away with it too easy! I got a virus at the start of covid and was convinced it was cancer. More recently, I've developed sciatica and my doctor, given my history, did bloods to check my calcium levels and markers. That sent me into a spiral, thinking I had bone cancer. I found out yesterday, all is normal - so I really do need to get a grip! I've been extremely lucky!

Good luck with chemo and each time just keep telling yourself you WILL feel normal again. Remember this week. My friend lived on lucozade and vanilla complan through her rounds.

How have you coped through the pandemic? Has treatment been delayed. It must have been a worry for you.

Thank you for getting in touch and I'm sending you a big hug and many well wishes x

Oh the paranoia, presume something we will have to live with forever! 

Treatment hasn't been delayed but they couldn't get clear margins with the lumpectomy, tried 2 more times and still no luck so then did a mastectomy.

I had my tumour oncotyped which suggested chemo would be beneficial so here I am.

Reconstruction has been affected by covid, they wouldn't do it at the same time, but I think I'm going to stay flat and proud lol

Look after yourself xxxx