Help with questions for consultant

Diagnosed with breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer
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Hi all

I am in my early 40s and I have recently (14th Sept) been diagnosed with breast cancer following an ultrasound and biopsy. Bit of a shock as my only symptom was an itchy breast, slight tenderness and an inverted nipple (it has been inverted for some time though and checked at the ‘boob clinic’ before). No one could feel a lump and the mammogram showed nothing as my tissue was too dense.

I had an MRI last week and get the results of that and will be advised of my surgery date tomorrow. I have been told that they ‘think’ it is Grade 1 IDC, 10mm by 11mm and there is no sign on the ultrasound of lymph involvement. The tumour is ER and PR positive, and Her negative. The initial plan was lumpectomy including a couple of nodes for testing and then radiotherapy. They were optimistic I might not need chemo. Obviously this could all change after the scan results and after the initial op.

I am looking for some support with queries for the consultant. Top of my list are:

  • Is a lumpectomy enough? I am scared to death of undertreating it. My maternal grandma died of pre-menopausal breast cancer but that was 4 decades ago. I have been told I am not eligible for BRCA testing as I don’t have two direct relatives (Mum has ‘touch wood’ been ok but there aren’t any other women in my family!!). A friend has also mentioned having the DUTCH test privately??? Also heard of OncoType.
  • I have a niggly pain off and on under my ribs and have done for some time. They seem unconcerned. I want this checking! MRI was breasts only so didn’t show this. I have had high B12 for about a year which I stupidly googled and is associated with metastatic cancer…but GP said other results would be abnormal if this was the case.
  • Do I need to ask more about lymphedema prevention now? I have been given a leaflet. V worried about this as I get eaten alive in the summer and have had 2 bouts of cellulitis this year - one in the arm that is involved.

Is there anything else to ask now? Any advice on surgery prep/clothing for afterwards etc. I have 3 young kids so concerned about recovery.

Thank you for reading.

xxx

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So sorry to hear your news, it’s a shock I know. Write down anything that is concerning you, don’t try and filter yourself. My advice would be to ask your oncologist if it’s ok to record the meeting. This was the only way I could take everything in, by listening to it back at home.
You can come on here anytime the folk here are very helpful and understanding.
Take care x

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Thank you. That is a good idea about recording the conversation. x

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:heart: sorry you find yourself here, but glad you’ve reached out to BCN :heart: please phone the number on here if you can and speak to a nurse, they will guide you on questions you might want to ask at your appointment :heart: think we’ve all done it at start, sat googling away about everything any little scrap of info we can find on the internet it’s like an obsession :heart:so don’t be hard on yourself :heart: the BCN nurses are here for you :heart:and so is everything that BCN can offer to help/support/listen as much or as little as you need :heart: and everyone on the forum will :two_women_holding_hands: too. When you know what treatment plan is, do have a read of threads and again ask away or join the threads :heart: supports and understanding is always here :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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Hi Blue80

Sorry that you’re in this situation

Another thing you could do aside from recording is take a sensible friend in with you plus pen and paper and they can write everything down.
You should write down your questions down as well so that you don’t forget to ask something - though if you do you would be able to contact your BCN to get clarification.

They usually map out the best / safest treatment plan and should be able to explain why it’s the best and safest for you but if there are options you will get some time to weigh them up. Ringing the helpline is a good idea because the Nurses on here have the expertise but are impartial and will be able to guide you as to what to ask and help with some of your questions .
I was asking questions about lymphoedema and radiotherapy at an early stage and they said "Oh you don’t need to know / think about that yet " but I’m a Nurse I already had some knowledge so not knowing wasn’t possible. I wanted to know as much as I could in advance and my BCN sent me a whole package of Breast Cancer Now publications which I read cover to cover - it helped.

Take care
Joanne x

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