Fast growing Breast Cancer

had a breast cancer scare 5 years ago. I had all the tests; mammograms, scans & lots of biopsies on my left breast. At the time I was told it was just cysts & discharged. 2 years later I had a negative mammogram.

My next routine mammogram is due next month. However I felt a hard area in my left breast and have just come home from the breast clinic.

I have been advised that I probably have breast cancer as the mammogram & scan have shown a suspicious mass of about 5cm. I'm now waiting for biopsy results (they also took a sample from a lymph node under my armpit )

I'm worried sick.

Has anyone else experienced such a fast growing tumor. How come it didn't show up on my last mammograms? I've never missed one.

Parents
  • Hi Lilyanne, I'm really sorry to hear this, it's such a shock. I always get shocked lately when I hear people are told likely cancer - I wasn't, but it is for me (not meaning to scare you) as mostly they're not, im told and hearing all the time. 
    Any idea when you will get your biopsy results? I had a mammogram last October and was given the all clear and by this August I had three different cancer sites of two different cancers in my right breast. My lump was not as large as yours, but mammogram then detected two further areas of concern. I did ask the consultant how this could possibly not have been picked up in my mammogram only ten months earlier, the consultant says it would go to audit to check, but the breast care nurse told me cancer can just appear over night - I have no idea - official websites I have seen say a lump takes a period to develop, but I know these are sometimes missed On Mammograms. This is just my experience I hope it helps you though as that was my intention x sending hugs Mickey x 

  • Hi MickeyM,

    Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear your news. Have you started any treatment yet?  I'm shocked to hear that your mammograms were only 10 months apart and it wasn't caught. Like you I've also read that it usually takes time to develop. Although I have heard Aggressive breast cancer can spread quite quickly.

    It seems that I didn't pay enough attention to mine because my breasts have always been lumpy so I didn't think anything of it till it got quite big.

    Due to Covid restrictions, it then took me a month to get an appointment with my GP (although I was diverted to a  practice nurse who fast tracked me to the breast clinic) I should get my results within 2 weeks which seems like ages.

    After my mammograms & scans, the doctor at the clinic told me & my husband that it looks very likely that I do have BC and that the biopsy will inform us what type & whether it's spread.

    A big hug to you too.

    Lily x

     

     

  • Bless you so you have been going through treatment for almost a year that's so long and must be so hard. X 

     

    what was your Inital lump like? It was quite big ?

  • To me a lump is round like a pea or a grape that sort of shape. Mine was flat and long like a thickening of a muscle if that makes sense. It was approx 10 cm in size and the initial chemo reduced it to 1.5cm so it was a good result from that. The mastectomy then removed the remaining tumour. I could have had a lumpectomy but I chose to have the mastectomy for my own peace of mind!
    Fingers crossed I will be finished my oral chemo on 23rd Jan 2022. I will have a break of approx 3 weeks then I will have 3 weeks of radiotherapy. By the time that is finished my treatment will have lasted 15 long months. Because I was slightly oestrogen positive I will then commence some hormone therapy presumably for the next 5 years!

  • My brother in law had cancer just over a year ago they first few cycles where very bad then he got told about another anti sickness drug so asked for that...so the rest of it wasn't as bad. 
     

    he is now cancer free but had a different type of cancer think it was lymphoma....

  • My lump/ mass is around 5cm that I can feel. I'd say oval in shape, feels firm, doesn't hurt and is movable from what I can feel. 
     

    does sound really rough for you x 
     

    Shona x 

  • I sure felt like I was having a rough time but I'm sure that other people have had a much harder time than me! Is your appointment tomorrow? Good luck with it and let us know how you get on. We're all here to support each other xx

     

  • Thank you for your reply.

    I hope you are ok. Your treatment sounds to be going well but I'm sure it must have been really tough for you.

    I'm seeing my Consultant on Friday to finalise my treatment plan so don't know the details yet.

    Love from Lily x

     

     

  • Shona 

    I will keep you in my thoughts. Sending positive vibes for next week x

    lily

    best of luck for Friday. Also sending you positive vibes x

  • Thank you for your lovely support x x

  • How did today go for you lily?

     

Reply Children
  • I'm ok thank you. I've decided to have a weekend away from it so I'll fill you in later. Thank you for asking x

  • I'm ok. Thanks for asking Lilywhite, Seeing Oncologist tomorrow.

    How are you doing?

    Love Lily xx

  • Hi Lily

    im doing ok thanks. Nearly finished cycle 5 of oral chemo. 3 left! How are you doing now?

    lillywhite

     

  • Hi Lillywhite, 

    Hope you're coping with your chemo, are you more than half way now?

    I'm starting mine soon. I'm been given 6 cycles of 3wks intravenous chemo with HERS2 starting with my 3rd Chemo session.

    I'm feeling nervous as I don't know how I'll react to it, but I just want to get on with it. It seems to be taking ages to start, still have to wait another 10 days.

    Sending hugs

    Lily x

     

     

  • Hi lily

    yes I am passed the half way mark now thank goodness. I'm suffering with ever increasing nausea but as bad as it is it won't kill me so I'll carry on and see it through. I was told by my oncologist in the beginning that I have a very sensitive nausea centre as he found it hard to control the nausea with my original chemo! only me

    the waiting to start is so hard isn't it? Hopefully when you do get started that you will fly through it without too many problems x

    Mind Yourself 

    lillywhite xx

  • Thank you Lillywhite, I've been warned that it gets worse as it goes on but that it's possible to reduce the does but up the frequency. I'm not sure if this only applies to the intravenous treatment. Maybe your oral dose can be adjusted?

    It might not be a good idea if it prolongs the Chemo.

    Keep strong and focus on the end of your Chemo treatment, it's insight for you now.

    Take care 

    Love Lily xx

  • Hi Lillywhite,

    Just checking to see how you're doing. I'm sorry I didn't get back before but I've had a bit of trouble finding my way back to you on here.

    I started my Chemo on 27th Nov,  I'm on EC90. They gave me steroids with it which gave me quite a high. I,m off them now and have come back down again. 5 days on + so far so good. No sickness just some general grogginess.

    Sending love 

    Lily xx

     

     

     

  • Hey lily

    glad to hear you have started your treatment and seem to be getting on reasonably well with it. I find with the steroids that I didn't sleep well when on them.  I'm good. Had my first yearly review mammogram a couple of weeks ago which came back clear so delighted with that. I'm now on my 6th round of oral chemo so I can definitely see  chunk of light at the end of the tunnel. My oncologist changed my anti sickness tablets back to what I was on initially and they seem to be working as nausea has lessened on this cycle although they cause constipation but she gave me new tablets for that. 
    Keep up the good work with the chemo. How long are you going to be on it? You are a warrior!!!

  • Hi Lillywhite, 

    I'm so pleased to hear that your mammogram has come back clear. That's such good news. I'm also glad they're helping you a bit with the nausea.

    Are constipation, I have IBS and use Fibrogel. it's a very gentle laxative as it's mainly soluable fibre. It's compatible with chemo. I make it with more water than it states and take it before bed it's helping keep me hydrated through the night whilst on chemo. I'm hoping it'll continue to work for me.

    I'm just getting started on 6 cycles of intravenous chemo with HERS2 targeted therapy before my surgery.

    It's sounds like it's been quite a hard slog for you (I hate nausea) but you're three quarters of the way there now. Please keep me posted on your progress 

    Love from Lily x