I have posted this on behalf of new user Catherine
Kind regards
Lucy
I had surgery for 2 breast lumps 10 days ago & the sentinel node removed for testing. On Wed 2nd April Ive got to go for the path. results, which I’m dreading.
Ever since this whole nightmare began about 4 weeks ago Ive become convinced that Ive got cancer slowly ticking away everywhere. A bump on my skin has to be skin cancer, an upset tummy for a few days means its in my bowel. Common sense doesnt work, even tho I know Im being paranoid.
Is it possible to have a full body sacan done to set my mind at rest, whatever Wednesday’s results bring?
Catherine
Dear Catherine
Welcome to the forums, where I am sure that you will receive lots of support and information from your fellow forum members. I am posting to let you know that Breast Cancer Care have published a Resource Pack, it has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and various treatments, it is available via the following link or by contacting the helpline:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
You may find our helpline useful to call during this time, they can talk to you about our other support services and also offer support, information and a ‘listening ear’. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, Saturday, 9am - 2pm. I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes
Lucy
I asked my breast surgeon if I could have a full body scan before committing to chemo, so I’d know exactly what I was dealing with. His response was that they have a pretty good idea from the lymph nodes as to what they are dealing with, and minimal involvement there would indicate that any cells floating around elsewhere would just be too small for a scan to pick up. That’s why I’ve been advised to have chemo, I had 2/27 nodes with microscopic traces of dodgy cells, and the chemo is to hit any that have escaped but are too small to be identified. Radiotherapy will follow, to hit any that may have been left in the original area, and hormone therapy to prevent oestrogen from binding with cells that may still lurk. I too would have liked a full scan but he assures me there is no point because any spread from the original area would at this stage be too small for a scan to find. I’m sure your surgeon will be able to go through it with you when you get the results of your SLN biopsy. Good luck, keep us posted with how you’re getting on. This is an invaluable source of support and certainly makes a difference to my own sanity! Love, Lyn xxx
Hi Catherine,
I don’t know if this helps but the way you are thinking right now is perfectly ‘normal’ at this far from ‘normal’ time.
Everyone on this site will tell you that waiting is by far the worst experience. I found this harder than the treatment.
Everyone will also tell you that there are far more good news stories than folks being diagnosed with BC. Telling you to cross the bridge when you come to it may be of little use so perhaps I can give you my view on total body scans something I wondered about at the beginning of my journey with BC.
Body scans in my area are only given where there are signs of advanced cancers or recurrences of lumps after primary (First) diagnosis.
I have had 2 body scans, they have to date shown not detectable spread. They say detectable because the cancer has to grow before it is picked up by which time you will need treatment to control the cancer. Many scans do not include the head unless signs of possible spread have occurred (Headaches dizziness and imbalances).
The reason, I am told, they don’t scan the brain as routine is that if cancer has reached the brain then it is likely to be somewhere else in the body too.
I know this all sounds very scary but when first being ‘investigated’ I think it is normal for us to seek as much info as possible (hence you posting to this site).
I will add that whilst it is understandable to seek info, please don’t go too deep, I talk from experience, I asked one too many questions and hated the reply. I am 2 and a half years down the line, still being treated but very much alive and kicking leading a fulfilled life, just a little different from before BC.
We are all here to offer our experiences. I truly hope that your lumps turn out to be as most are, cysts, take care. Good Luck for Wednesday, keep in touch.
Carol
I have posted this on behalf of new user Catherine
Kind regards
Sam
Thank you Carol & Palomino.,
I know I have cancer in one of the lums removed as the biopsy had already confirmed that. Wednesday will reveal whether the other suspect area was a cancer lump or no & whether the lymphs are affected. At the mement the plan is ‘just’ for radiotherapy, but if Wed results are not good, they will have to take me back in for more surgery.
My worry, crazy tho it may be, is that I might have a primary cancer elsewhere in my body, as yet undetected, & that the BC is the secondary!! hence my desire for a scan.
I had no signs or smptoms of BC. Felt fitter & healthier than for a long time. It was a routine annual mamo that found the suspect lump. I’m on HRT & maybe that ‘encouraged’ the cancer. Its because I had no idea what was lurking in my body that I now feel let down by it & anxious to have every damn bit checked out!
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
You remind me of myself a couple of months ago. I worried that every ache was ‘spread’ of the cancer. The waiting for results got me more than surgery or any treatment and it still does. I was on HRT too so wondered if this caused the problems. I have to have chemo because of my age (39), grade (3) and size (2.5) but i have no lymph spread or any spread anywhere else in the body. I am still worried and am starting chemo tomorrow. i feel like my body has let me down ! Everyone on this site has really helped as they know ehat it is like - the waiting for results, worrying about cnacer coming back.
Wishing you well with treatment
Rachy xx
Hi Catherine - Poor you, it is enough to be possibly dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer without all these other worries plaguing you. From my nursing days, as far as I know, there isn’t any other type of cancer that makes secondaries in the breast. If there is, then of course the pathology would show up what it was, but I just don’t think that happens. In the same way, if breast cancer makes secondaries that cancer is still breast cancer, even if it is in the lungs, liver or bones. Your confidence in your body has taken an enormous shaking which is of course understandable. Please tell your surgeon what your worry is, and I am sure that he will be able to reassure you. Very best of luck. Sarah