I have just been diagnosed with 2 types of cancer, a differant type in each breast. My consultant has advised this is very rare and can’t explain how its happened -both are grade 2.
I have a pre op assessment today and then am scheuled for an op on Monday to check my lymph nodes. Next week I am also undergoing body scans, etc with Chemo starting the next week for 6 months. My surgery isn’t scheduled until the end of the chemo.
I am really worried about the scans. Any pains I feel in my body or shortness of breath I keep imagining that the cancer must have spread - I’m usually such a rationale person but this seems to be consuming me at the moment. Is it just me or is this normal?
Also from things I’ve previously read I thought that the surgery usually preceeded the chemo but mines scheduled the other way around - does anyone know the reason for this?
So sorry you had to join us here but you came to to good place for help, everyone here will help all they can i am sure.
I can’t help regarding the 2 types of cancer as i only have one type in left breast but with another lump in armpit (lymphnodes)
I understand your fear of the spread, i was the same, every niggle every twinge you think is the cancer spreading. I had those same pains and was sure i had more cancer around my body but after all the scans there was no sign of any spread. I think our minds are very good at scaring us silly. The shortness of breath for me was blind panic, which is so hard to control but i did.
Having chemo before operation is quite common. I have just finished 6 chemo before my op which will be in the next few week (no date yet) also having chemo before the op means they can see the results of the chemo, my 2 large lumps have dissapeared but sadly i will still have to have mastectomy and was told this from the outset.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
Please keep in touch, i find the help on here so comforting too.
Val
xx
Hi Jules - I guess you have what’s called a ‘double whammy’!!! I had two different kinds but not at the same time. The first was invasive ductal and was quite a large tumour. This was treated with chemo first then rads - but was 18 yrs ago now and at the time as the tumour totally shrank I didnt have any surgery. I think today they would do a mastectomy for that. But i got a new cancer in the same breast 6 yrs later and that was invasive lobular. I had a mastectomy then. I also got it in the other breast 2 years after that! and had another mastectomy. It is scary waiting for scan results isn’t it. Our imaginations go into overdrive. Have you been told more about the tumour - is it ER/PR positive or negative, and what about the HER2 status - have they tested that for you? Fingers crossed for the op on monday and hope for you that the lymph nodes are clear.
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care chat forums. I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis. You may find useful BCC’s resource pack helpful which has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below: breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
If you feel you need to talk to someone in confidence about your concerns then please give the helpline a call, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues and are happy to offer a listening ear. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 and the line is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm.
Thank you so much for your comments, they are so reassuring. So sorry to read of the troubles that you have had.
The cancer in my right breast is lobular and I have been advised that it is highly likely that I will require a masectomy on that breast following my chemo. The cancer in my left breast is ductal and depending on how the chemo goes they will consider whether to remove just part of the breast or all of it - although at this point I’d definately opt for the double.
Can you let me know what ER/PR positive and negative is please. I don’t know about my HER2 status either. When and how do they test for any of these?
Once again thanks for your responses, they’ve been really helpful
I was also misdiagnosed for a long time and I was convinced it had spread because of all the literature that goes on about early detection. Having read up on the subject I am much less convinced that early detection makes any difference. Plus there’s no way you can put the clock back anyway. I think it is perfectly rational to worry, in fact it would be irrational not to. It’s very difficult being told there’s nothing to worry about after months of telling medical people that there is a problem and then finding out they are wrong. I had the mistaken belief that they always got it right because the error rate is four in a thousand. However, there are 44,000 women diagnosed per year so I worked out that means about 280 women a year are misdiagnosed. So I was one of 280.
I have had breast cancer twice. And both mine were different types. The oncologist was discussing my case with other members at their meeting. I asked her why the two different types and all they could say was i was very very very unlucky. The first time my lump was 9cm in size. So I had chemo first to shrink it. Then I had a full masx with LD reconstruction. This was 5 years ago. i was diagnosed again in Nov last year. But as the tumour was smaller I didn’t have to have chemo first and went straight to masx with again a LD reconstruction. They are both very odd at the moment as i had radio after my first cancer which they don’t do now. But as it was only 5 weeks ago maybe the swelling will make them level. But the surgeon has said he will put a smaller implant in for me if I am not happy. Your mind is working overtime and the moment and every and you are trying to work out every senario. Fingers crossed it all works out well for you.