Hi everyone Im new here. I’ve just been diagnosed a few weeks ago so am very new to all this and don’t understand a lot of it. In my letter, it said I have Invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3 ER8 PR8 HER-2 Positive. PI 30% This means absolutely nothing at all to me. I have an appointment on Thursday to have MRI results so hoping someone can explain it all to me then. I’ve been told I will be having chemo initially to shrink the tumor and then surgery. I just want to get started now as am very worried. It’s been good to read posts on here as there is so much beneficial info. Hopefully, I will understand things a little more soon. Thanks x
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Hi @sindy5 all of this terminology can be confusing, can’t it? I assure you, before long, all of this will be tripping off your tongue! No doubt you’ll learn more about the grade of your tumour and its size at your meeting on Thursday.
As for the rest, your tumour is endocrine fed. So ER+ 8/8 means that it was strongly fed by oestrogen and PR+ 8/8 means it was also fed by progesterone, the two predominantly female hormones. I was ER8/8 and PR 6/8 myself. So once you have been through chemo to reduce the size of the tumour, surgery to remove it and radiotherapy to nuke any stray cancer cells that might be lurking around, you’ll take tablets which will suppress the hormones - and therefore reduce the risk of recurrence - for a few years. Having high scores like 8/8 means that these tablets will be a highly effective treatment for you.
The other good news is that your tumour being an endocrine fed IDC means that you have by far the most common sort of BC. I think I’m right in saying around 70% of all BC fall into this category. I had the same myself. This means that your medical team deal with this diagnosis day in, day out so you can be confident that the treatment programme that is put in place for you is tried and tested.
You understandably want to get on with treatment and no doubt you’ll learn more about the process and timetable on Thursday. There’s always a lot to take in at these appointments so if you can take someone with you who can take notes or just remember what was said, it’s helpful as you’ll be trying to process it all. It’s not what any of us would wish for ourselves but, in my experience, you meet a load of kind professionals during treatment and plenty of funny, strong, positive women who are going through it with you so there are “compensations”. Good luck on Thursday.
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Hello @sindy5
Welcome to the club nobody wants to be part of. It’s all very daunting and scary when you are first diagnosed and there is so much information to take on board.
Wherever possible we would always suggest taking someone with you to appointments where your treatment is being discussed: two sets of ears are always better than one, and I’d also suggest having a notebook to hand to write down any questions you might have, it’s amazing how things can slip your mind.
In terms of asking questions please don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want either of your consultant or your breast cancer nurse: there is no such thing as a stupid or silly question, if it matters to you then it matters.
Finally please don’t be afraid to ask for help and support, there is lots of it out there both here on the forums and in real life: there really isn’t a substitute for talking to others who have been or are going through treatment
Wishing you all best for your treatment as it progresses. I didn’t have chemotherapy myself but the monthly threads for those going through it at the same time can be very helpful
Lots of love AM xxx
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Hi @sindy5
Welcome to the forum, we hope you find it a helpful and supportive place.
I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis, please know that our nurses are always here to talk things through or answers your questions on the Ask Our Nurses board of the forum.
Please do have a look through the various boards and topics to find those going through similar experiences or for places you may be able to share your experiences and knowledge.
This is a very supportive place, so please do ask any questions you may have.
Sending our love,
Lucy
Dear Sindy5
So pleased you have come to the forum. Thinking of you today, wishing you well with your MRI, not sure they will be able to give out much information as these scan need to be read by more than one radiographer.
Well done for getting this far brave lady, keep posting to let us know how you are doing.
Biggest hugs Tili 
