Having breast cancer at 29.

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Hello you lovely lot!
First of all let me tell you why I thought I should start a new thread.
All my specialists while talking about surgery and treatment and such kept saying to me “because your so young”, “at your age” and “because its so rare at your age”, I just thought I would see if there was anyone else out there " as young" as me going through it too.
Although breast cancer seems like such a negative issue, I have been thoroughly positive throughout almost all the things I’ve been through so far. . .
I was diagnosed on 28th may 2015 with primary breast cancer in my right, inner breast, sitting on my breast muscle. Provisionally grade 2 and 2cm.
I then went on to have a therapeutic mammoplasty on 16th June with a node biopsy to check my lymph nodes to see weather or not it had spread. I had the lump removed with good margins of healthy tissue around it, my surgeon then went from the bottom of my breast up into my armpit for the first 2 lymph nodes then I had more tissue removed and my breast reconstructed. I was in hospital for 3 days and I had a drain out of my side for around 5 days. I can’t lie my side was incredibly tender and is still a little tender now.
Then on 29th June I was back at the breast clinic for my results. . . they got it all and my lymph nodes clear!!! That was the day my life went back to being a little more normal for a while. I was sooooo happy.
My cancer was then sent to America for a test called oncotype DX which tests individual cancers to find out if chemotherapy would be beneficial for you and gives you a score from 0-100 of the risk of it coming back. The risk categories are low, medium and high. My score was 23, which is a medium risk but on the lower side of medium. And I would only benefit from chemo another 4% so I don’t need it. I’m set to have radiotherapy in September.
In the meantime I’m concentrating on my surgery wounds which seem to keep opening. My partner seems to think I’m doing too much but I don’t feel I am, so I’ve decided to try and do less anyway (which is hard when you have a family).

Can anyone give me any info on radiotherapy? I’ve got the basics like sore skin and tiredness but I’d like to find out what sore skin and tiredness is like from someone who has been through it.

Well that’s my story, I would love to hear yours. Xxx

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Hi K8ieboo and welcome to the BCC forums where I am sure you will find lots of support and shared experiences with your fellow users

i am posting a link to the BCC ‘Younger women’  area of the site where you will find information about our ‘Younger women together’ residential events where you can meet others and share support :

breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/support-you/local-support/younger-women-together

Our helpliners are on hand with further practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000 and is open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays so do call to talk any concerns through

Take care

Lucy BCC

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Hi 

I am sure there is a thread for young woman with BC that you will be able to relate to. 

I am having radiation… had 6 0f 15 and it’s going fine! it’s painless but I have to confess to being very nervous of it initially… the unknown and the faact that you have to keep still (not me!) lol I have been moisturising the area with the recommended creams but I have not seen any changes in the breast yet. Tired? yes I guess but I was before I started! :) 

Hope all goes well for you, I’m sure it will

sending love 

Lorna x

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Hi Katie,

 

How are you getting on? I hope your wounds are better now. Have you had your radiotherapy?

 

I think I am in a similar boat to you, I was diagnosed in April this year at the age of 30. So nearly as young as you. I have had all the same comments as well, about it being so rare. My oncologist told me that he had seen 4 women under 45 in the last year. And that was after he came in the room and seemed to assume that the patient was my 60 year old mum rather than me!

 

Have you joined the Facebook group: Younger Breast Cancer Network? I have only just joined myself. Sounds like there are a lot more of the younger ladies in there.

 

So many of the things that you mentioned were the same with me. My lump was in the same place, grade 2 (“lucky” not a more agressive grade 3 I think), 1 cm invasive lobular carcinoma. ER+.

I had a wide local excision (lumpectomy) with lymph node biopsy on 7th May. Was home again the same evening. When I went back they said that they got it all and my lymph nodes were clear, such a relief!

 

I also had the oncotype DX test done to see if I needed chemo, the result was low, a 10 I think, and a low risk of it coming back. I know I should focus on the 93% chance that it won’t come back, but I can’t help but look at the 7% chance that it will. Especially as that figure is only for the next 10 years, only until I am 40! I don’t think we get given any statistics for the next 40-50 years that I intend to live healthily for,

 

I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy - 5 weeks from mid July to mid August. Apparently older women only get 3 weeks but because “you’re so young” (yes that again) they give you a bigger blast of it because you can take it. The first week of radio I was quite miserable. I felt like all the other patients were in their 70s and I was the only young one. I maybe saw one other person as young as me the whole time. Also in the first few days my breast started to swell and feel quite tender, like PMS but only the one breast, but that settled down after a while. The hospital had an Information and Support Radiographer who had a chat with me and I had a good cry, and she gave me yet more leaflets. It was helpful, and I felt better after that, especially as I ticked each session off the list. 

 

I started Tamoxifen tablets about a month before radiotherapy started, which might have been a mistake as I had side effects of both at once. I would go to hospital in the morning, then come home and put my work laptop on and try to do some work, but get a splitting headache and feel exhausted. I take the tablets at bedtime now which helps. Radio is definitely tiring though. Being active does seem to help. It quite often just hits me in the afternoon/evening and I can’t think, I can’t articulate how I’m feeling to my partner, I just want to curl up there and then.

 

I took two weeks off sick after radio and then started back at work on 2nd September. However I haven’t done a full day yet, it gets to about 3:30/4:00 and I have to pack up and leave because I feel like if I leave it any later I will be too sleepy to drive the 25 miles home. I have been feeling quite forgetful and slow as well, but again that might be the Tamoxifen, or maybe just my priorities changing and work things just aren’t as important to me anymore.

 

As for my skin, it was all going well, I was putting lots of moisturiser on, and it just went red, was fairly red by the end, especially in the area where my lump had been because they put a bolus (slab of jelly) on there to concentrate the radiation in that area. Now, nearly a month afterwards, my skin is really quite itchy, dark and peeling away to reveal pale skin underneath. My nipple was very uncomfortable, crusty and peely and now looks a bit albino, I hope I’m not exaggerating too much. I have carried on moisturising lots.

 

So that’s where I’m at now, still dealing with the tiredness and sore skin, and on Tamoxifen for a couple of years at least. I haven’t got any children (my partner and I had been planning to try in the new year but that will teach me to make plans!) so I don’t want to be on the Tamoxifen for any longer than strictly necessary.

 

Hope you’re feeling OK, 

Deb xxx

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i was 26 when i was diagnosed may 2008. crazy!!! but i made a video on my journey. please check it out youtu.be/d13g9Wky4us

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Hi everyone

I was diagnosed with grade 2 BC on Tuesday. I’m booked in for a MRI and CT scan within the next two weeks. I’m 32 and numb with fear. I found this site last night and so so pleased I did. I don’t like this time of waiting I feel like I’m going crazy.So much is going round my head and my emotions are high and low.

It would be lovely to hear from you allxx

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Hi Hayley,
The wait in between appointments and results are probably the worst part. All you can do is try to keep yourself together. Lol.
Every professional you come into contact with from now on though will really look after you. There so good and I can’t thank the specialist in my area enough. I was so relaxed in their care and just did anything they said as I knew they could make the best possible plan for me. They all made me feel that no matter how bad the results got, they would be there to sort me out.
Theres nothing you can do but get yourself through it and my only advice would be to keep going and don’t stop until your treatment is finished. . . . then book yourself a holiday.
Keep us updated an feel free to chat any time.
We’re all in or have been in the same boat.
Good luck and best wishes. Xx

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Hello Kate,
Thank you for your reply. I am going to the oncology clinic on 27th Feb and my MRI scan is on the 18th. All my family live in Bristol, so I have my mum coming up this week so spend some time with me. My husband is being fantastic, but you can’t beat a good cuddle off your mum hey lol.

This morning I have booked myself into the hairdressers and having my long hair cut in a short bob. My friends have mixed views on this. But it’s helping me to prepare as I am terrified of losing it. I feel my hair is my best feature. The salon was so understanding I couldn’t believe it, I’m not so excited about going.

Xx
Lots of love Hayley

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Lots of yound women in this thread, can I join the party :D? I always felt very lonely during that journey, everyone around would always be so much older…

 

Diagnosed at 26 last year, the number of times you are told “bla bla bla…because you are so young” is way too many…I finished my surgery and 6 rounds of chemotherapy and now on rads and herceptin…

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Hello G

Welcome to the thread and thank you for your advice. My hubby says the same. But I am worried I will get odd looks and people will guess what is wrong. I’ve always had quite low confidence and always worry about what people may think. Did you wear the cold cap during treatment? And if you don’t mind me asking how much hair did you lose?

Big hugs xx

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Hi Debbie

Thank you so much! I will have a look now.

Big hugs to you x

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Hello all, I am 29 and was diagnosed 5 days ago, I’ve had alot of tests and told close family and friends, it’s been an emotional roller coaster so far but I’m getting there, I wanted to write in this forum because I do feel a bit isolated having breast cancer at my age. I don’t have a family and I am massively concerned about potential fertility issues, it’s been reassuring reading your stories and a small comfort. I hope everyone has had a good day and I look forward to any replies xx

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Forgive me butting in to this thread as I’m not young but an old biddy of 63 .
I worked with a lady that got bc at age 29 …she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
A few years down the line she is clear and has has a three year old and is heavily pregnant with twins right now.
There is life beyond all this and once your treatments are over …you will b able to get back into life …probably better and stronger .
Hugs xx

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I got diagnosed last Friday with grade 2 invasive ductal breast cancer stage unknown. I am also 29 I have 3 young children and have never been so scared in all my life… how do u all cope. I have so many what ifs running around my head… I don’t no what my treatment plan is untill this coming Friday. I’m hoping for the best… it’s a scary ride but I’m sure we will all be ok. It’s just hard not knowing the next steps and been 29 it has come at such a shock… sending my love to all u lady’s xx

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My only advice would be to completely trust your medical teams. I literally threw myself at mine and I’m doing ok now. And never stop. Keep going. It’s all you can do. Xxx

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Hi gorgeous ladies, I wrote in this thread in September and I wanted to say hi to you all, it’s still so shocking being diagnosed at 29 as it’s a 0.06% chance we have fitted into! Having now finished chemo, unilateral mastectomy, radiotherapy and still having my herceptin injections, I’m able to reflect a bit more and I want to give you all a cuddle and tell you how amazing and brave you all are, life is getting better for me and I’m feeling more content all the time, my pixie hair do is coming along nicely and I hope you are all doing OK, us women are amazing and I hope there is more information for us youngens why this happened to us so young in the future, especially when there is no gene connection. Love and hugs to you all xxxx

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Thank you so much for this message, it really helped me x

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I was diagnosed at th age 29 to it was very hard for me to deal with