Just needing a mental hug today. After being diagnosed, mastectomy and reconstruction in 2009, after a recall from a mamogram it looks like I have 22mm cancer in my other breast.
I am waiting for biopsy results but can tell from tone, words and consultants experience
Just a bit shocked and now it’s the anxiety of waiting until 17th for result meeting
Hi @louise16
So sorry to hear that. It’s just the pits to feel like you’re starting all over again. Remember it’s not certain until the histology is in, but you’re right, they do have a fairly good idea from the imaging.
I had my first round 18 years ago, and got a second go 7 years ago so I sort of know what you’re going through. I didn’t have the extra hassle of reconstruction though. Just went for mastectomies plus all the add on stuff chemo, radio, oestrogen blockers, herceptin zolendronic acid.
On a positive note (if there can be such a thing in these circumstances) I think it all seemed easier the second time. I had faith in the treatment (10 years on from first round) and sort of knew what to expect from surgery and chemo. I think a lot of the angst is facing the unknown.
Well, all I can say is, hope for a miracle, and if it doesn’t come stay strong and plough through it all again. There can be great life when you come through. I’ve taken up running this year and am currently on a 3 month ski season in the Alps. I don’t think I have ever been so physically fit before !!
Sending loads of love and hugs
Eily. 
@louise16 i feel for you and am sending a virtual hug!
I was first diagnosed in 2021, went through all the treatment and then got a recurrence in 2024.
I was so shocked, even the surgeon didn’t think the lump was anything to worry about the second time but sent me for an ultrasound for peace of mind. I came out of that ultrasound having had a biopsy in complete disbelief!
I hope your results appointment comes round quick! The waiting is so hard. Here for you anytime. Hugs really helped me too 
I’m so sorry for your news, and as we all know, the waiting for results is the hardest.
I had a triple negative cancer in 2007, lumpectomy, chemo and radio. Life went on, and it was starting to all feel like a bad dream. Routine mammogram in November 2024 showed a new cancer in the same breast, this time ER+ . Had mastectomy and chemo, now on Letrezole.
Should your fears be confirmed, I agree with Elly that it’s somehow easier the second time around. You know more of what to expect and of course treatment plans have improved significantly in the last 20 years.
I wish you all the best for the 19th, do check back in and let us know. Lots of support here xx
Hi, I went through a 2nd diagnosis September 2024 10 years after the first same breast different beast this time. Thankfully found early yet again. Much tougher treatment plan this time as HER2 + and needed a mastectomy so choose to go down the diep route. After the initially shock I just thought let’s go and deal with this shit yet again !!! I have finished the Herceptin injections & now on letrozole this time for 5 years , and have just had a Maxopexy with liposuction procedure so healing process once more. But I found that I am tougher than what I thought, don’t get me wrong I had my out bursts and tears as we are only human. Sending love to you you’ve got this xx
I had a cancer diagnosis in my opposite breast 19 years after my first diagnosis. It’s a huge shock with a second diagnosis especially when you feel like you have done all the right things. My oncologist told me that they class it as a new primary rather than a recurrence. Hope it turns out not to be a new diagnosis. Keep us posted and sending hugs
Hi!
I am quite a ways down the line from my Oct, 16, 2025 dx. of Second breast cancer in the other breast. But definitely wanted to connect..As I saw few posts on Second primary breast cancer when I was diagnosed.
Background:
1st Diagnosed at 49 years of age April 2014- Left Breast. stage 1 grade 1 IDC. 1.7cm
Estrogen- 5%
PR: 10% HER2: (Neg)+1,
KI67-2 percent
Oncotype DX-Score (17)
Procedures/Treatments- Lumpectomy, 30 days Radiation , Tamoxifen, and then Arimedex- for 5 years.
11 years clear mammograms etc, and then Diagnosed on 10/16/2025. Age 60-(Active, etc)-During a Routine Mammogram Visit- The opposite/other breast
BIOPSY Below
1cm idc Right breast with focal papillary features
Estrogen Receptor (ER): POSITIVE 100%
Progesterone Receptor (PR): POSITIVE 70%
HER2 (Immunohistochemistry): NEGATIVE (0+)
ONE LYMPH NODE WITH BENIGN REACTIVE CHANGES. NO MALIGNANCY SEEN.
PAN CYTOKERATIN AE1/AE3 IS NEGATIVE FOR OCCULT CARCINOMA CELLS.
Decided on lumpectomy: SOUNDS Trial- Please Research if you consider this approach- News Article | ASBrS
Surgery pathology-Took over a week, lab was backed up. 1.2 cm idc -no specific type, Did not get ki67, Seems like they did not retest estrogens/progesterone/ Margins cleared.. Still Praising
Waited for Oncotype dx. which was a production, 6 Weeks
1st 2 weeks the tissue never got sent , because of Maiden name and Married name discrepency from hospital Records.
2nd 2 Weeks- Tissue was sent to Exact Sciences, but was not getting Tested because of discrepency with communication with hospital to make sure that this was not a Recurrence -(As Oncotype dx Exact Sciences do- not test recurrence) But to make sure it was a New Primary-which they do Test for New Primary-Recur-Score
And then another 10 days past and I called Exact Sciences and they said that the tissue was flagged and needed additional testing. I think that was the 1st time I cried very hard for about 3 hours throughout this 2nd dx. I emailed my oncologist to give update, and she got on top of it .
Finally about 6 days past and My oncologist called me early in the morning, and gave me the score from their portal.
The Oncotype DX score was a -0. Yes a Ze-ro, which may have prompted the Additional Testing-not sure. But, Praises, Praises!!!
Since then, I have Copmpleted my last sessionof Radiation Treatment on yesterday.. out of 19 Sessions. So far, Based on my Appts with Onco (Hema) and (Radio=Onco) I will be prescribed Anastroz- for 5 years, Zometa Boost. Alternating Diag.Mammograms and Diagnostics Breast MRI for upcoming years. (Every 6 Months).
Big Take Away is that Some people handle it better the first time while others handle it better the 2nd Time. By far. I had a tougher time handling it the 2nd Time.. But, “Won’t He do it?” Faith, Blessings, Praises!!! Continues!!!
You Got This!!
Thanks for your message. I have found it hugely difficult the 2nd time around. My first diagnosis was at age 32 and my second diagnosis was at age 51 just at the end of 2024. I saw that you are having MRI’s every 6 months. This is not something I am having and has not been discussed with me. What hospital are you at please?
Hi!
Yes, I’m with Kaiser Permanente HealthCare..Based out of California-West Coast and have various locations throughout some states. I am located in Atlanta, Ga, , Kaiser here is connected with Emory Hospital as their sister hospital in Atlanta, Ga.
Once you are completed with treatment program via Emory you are transferred to a Surviviorship … See Below
Also, Continued care is conducted every 8 weeks or so withthe Hematology/Oncology via Kaiser Permanente Group which places the order in every 6 months for Diagnositics- Breast Mammogram/MRI
Please continue to keep us posted.
I’ve learned that a 2nd Primary is completely independent from 1st primary.
What was/is your 2nd Primary Treatment Program?
The survivorship program looks very good.
My treatment plan was surgery (breast conserving) then radiotherapy then tamoxifen for 5 years. Mammograms yearly.
My previous treatment plan for the other side was surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, herceptin, tamoxifen and zoladex.
My oncologist said that the breasts don’t communicate with each other. It’s classed as a new primary as you say.
I have read a bit about so called contralateral breast cancer and it’s supposed to be quite rare but I’m no so sure?
I don’t have the genes. How about you?
Yes, I heard it was kind of rare (Contralateral). Yes! Tested both times for the genes, and it showed Negative. Although, I had 1 older sister who had breast cancer 1 year before my 1st diagnosis-Age 60- She is also Doing Well!! She has been recommended to get the Gene Test as well. (Because of her previous Dx).
Looks like we both did Breast Conserving - Seems like there are so much early detection & up to date Images, etc, Presently, compared to (11 & 19 years ago.),
It’s Been Wild! But , We are on Our Way!!! 