I had a weird visit on Thursday for my checkup for a variety of reasons but this little piece of info I thought I’d share since it might affect all of us. I’m in the states and go to a top rated NCI hospital here for my care. Thus far the care I’ve received, education, and advice has been what I can only describe as exemplary. So in saying that they told me something interesting about the covid vaccine that I thought I would pass on so that you can address it with your own doctors if you want. They highly recommend the flu vaccine and I got it while I was there Thursday. They no longer highly recommend the covid vaccine for people who have already received their three shots. They don’t discourage it if someone really wants it but they leave the decision entirely up to them. The reason, and I questioned thoroughly because the US is full of bogus info about covid, is because they’ve noticed that the more shots people get it seems they are getting sicker with other things and not getting over them as quickly. And auto-immune disorders are apparently being affected. She wouldn’t give me a ton of details, I think the research is still preliminary, but I was quite astounded nonetheless since my hospital is top rated and not politically motivated. In fact we are in a liberal mecca in the south. She did say there is still not any research that leads anyone to believe the vaccines have caused any of our cancers. Who knows about ten years down the line though. Who knows about ten year down the line for anyone who got covid either. This is all unknown. So in saying that, I would say that her suggestion is that unless you know for sure you’ll have issues with covid that you can decide, guilt free, about whether you want any more vaccines. I had covid once and was asymptomatic, have had my two shots and booster, so I’m done with that vaccine. She was completely fine with that.
Hi @Kay0987, thanks so much for your post. I was tearing my hair out as to whether to go for the covid shot. Your post has decided for me. Best regards,
Thank you so much for the post. I am already disputing my cancer with the covid jab. I have discussed it with my medical team. I was having mammograms every year plus a physical exam by my GP and a specialist as BC ran in my family, genetic test done but no apparent mutation, not to say there isn’t one.
Last year i had my covid booster in February within two days i had a reaction and was covered in hives and dermatitis. I was refered to a dermatologist who said then he had seen a lot of cases since covid. I had biopsies etc and treatment. July 2022 I go for my rountine mammogram no symptoms nothing. They find something suspicious. I have an ultrasound they said your lymph nodes are up and i said yes had flu jab i normally have but the covid booster. Forward 1st September 2022 i am told i am stage4 de-nova in my bones. Forward to now 3 lines of treatment and 2 clinical trials pik3ca mutation and my cancer keeps progressing liver, lungs now. I have said over and over how can i have clear mammograms 7 years covid jab stage 4 at 49. Unfortunately when you have the jab you sign a waiver so you got no chance. It will get worse. I live in Australia and have a very good medical team. I wish i never had the jab or my children its very scary to see what will happen in the future. Keep well sister 🩷🩷
I am so sorry, Cherry. I do want to add that I made sure to quiz my PA on the research and she was more vague than I like but she did say that there is nothing to link covid vaccines to cancers right now. So I wouldn’t blame your cancer on the vaccine. And anyway, deciding to take your chances with an unknown virus is pretty risky in and of itself. Some viruses cause cancer. In ten years we may find out that this one is one of them. Or we may find out the vaccine is indeed not healthy. But I don’t think that is what the research is pointing to. It seems to be pointing to that getting the vaccine over and over again may be unhealthy instead. At any rate, breast cancer is weird. It takes years and years for it to grow usually. Even the faster breast cancers can be slower compared to other cancers. And if you have dense breasts then mammograms aren’t that great. They’re the best we’ve got but they miss a lot of cancers. I had annual mammograms also but I wasn’t diagnosed until the tumor was a little larger. Somehow it had been missed the year before probably because my breasts were really dense. So none of this is your fault, the shot’s fault, or doctor’s fault. Breast cancer just happens to some women and I’m so sorry you’re one of them. I hope they find a treatment that works quickly, though, and I wish you so much luck. I know this is all devastatingly new still but there are women who have been stage 4 for a large number of years on this site and others.
Hi Kay
I understand what you are saying. We will probably never know. As you say no link. But for me having a MRI the year before which i paid for, for my genetic testing as well as the blood test the scan was clear. I was healthy enough, no medical problems. Only then an allergic reaction, i was supposed to start light theraphy for the dermatitis that i never had before until the booster. I couldn’t start due to dealing with the cancer. I might of got cancer in the long run due to family history but i did as best as i could testing and scans to be on the safe side. It just odd for me that i was stage 4 within less of a year with scans. It seems to be agressive er and pr positive her 2 negative, with the pik3ca mutation.
My specialist who checked my breasts after my MRI said i am very smooth i would certainly beable to detect if there was any lumps in the future. I had nothing but it was IDC, no change in my breasts at all. I have always been diligent though. The good thing in a way. The proffessor who did my gentic testing said my daughter has to start mammograms at 34. She is only 17 but we have discussed having a double mastectomy in the future as an option. Being on clincal trials too i feel like i am contributing to future generations with my biopsies and bloods being researched. I have also met amazing sisters around the world with MBC. Lovely hearing from you, take care and keep strong xx
Hi Kay, thank you so much for this very informative post. Much more research has to be done regarding the covid vaccine. Your post has certainly helped me to make my decision regarding taking any more covid vaccines. All the best with your treatment.
Do you have occult breast cancer? In other words, no lump but breast cancer spread regardless? I wish I could say something that would be useful in this case if so, but I can’t really. I know how bad it feels and I know how worried and devastated you are. However, you are hormone positive and we do have some terrific endocrine therapy that can halt spread to bones for a very long time. I am so hoping they find the right combination for you quickly. I will also say I understand your suspicion. I myself was diagnosed only six months after my booster with a clear mammogram the year before. I wouldn’t go back and do anything different though even though I think about it. That was the best information we had at the time and I didn’t want to risk getting a full on case of covid. Still don’t think that was wise for the many people who chose to do so but we’ll see a decade or so down the line I guess. Too soon to make any conclusions right now. But at any rate, keep safe and I wish you a speedy recovery. And I say that because I know it can happen even when stage 4. Yes you’ll be on meds for the rest of your life but recovery can happen and stabilization occur. May it be swift!
Hi Kay
Thanks for this update, that’s very interesting. I wish there was a bit more info on this available to the public. I will ask my onc at my next appointment though up to now neither he nor any of my other doctors have ever given me any recommendations regarding the covid vaccine - including when I had my first round of vaccines in 2020 whilst undergoing chemo!
I have been having the covid boosters when offered because my partner has chronic fatigue syndrome and is worried that contracting covid would exacerbate his condition, and I do not want to pass it on to him. I’ve just had my 6th covid jab, so I would be worried if I’m currently giving myself another set of problems! Please do let us know if you hear any other evidence.
I sure will. All any of us can do is make the best decisions we can.
Hi @Pollyann @Cherry38 @Kay0987, though unproven and unfounded, I have always been of the inkling that the covid vaccines contributed to my breast cancer. I noted that my breast cancer lump grew very quickly after my covid vaccines. I know many medical staff will brush me off for making this statement but i can’t help making the connection here… i.e. the cancer cells in me were “sleeping” but the covid vaccines woke them up … I also have other friends diagnosed very recently with cancer: one with breast; one with multiple myeloma; another developed kidney stones; another friend’s teenage son developed myocarditis… Makes me think about how many out there who may have experienced adverse changes in their health but are not disclosing them? So my mind is definitely made up: I am not going to jeopardize my health further by having any more covid jabs.
Thank you that is a very interesting post…After 10 years of no recurrence of breast cancer that only needed surgery and I opted for no drug treatment eg. Tamoxifen, I had positive Covid itself in March and two days later after testing negative I went for a scheduled blood test. My Hb had begun to drop and it continued to drop until, having gone through tests for all blood cancers, they found breast secondaries in my Bone Marrow. I emphasise that, as it is not in my bone as such.
I have always been certain that there was a connection but interestingly when I asked my oncologist about a Covid booster he said if I was choosing I should go for the flu jab. He seemed a bit hesitant about another Covid booster for me. I have looked up a bit of research online and there does seem to be some thinking that there is a connection between inflammatory nature of Covid and reawakening of dormant cancer cells.
Who knows? But I hope the research goes on and we can discover this for others.
Take care everyone and keep asking questions and being kind to yourself. xx
Interesting Norfolk. So for you it was covid itself that you think might have set you off, not the vaccine. It’s why I think as this point it’s a crapshoot. I will say that if you know you do fine with covid, and it’s been around long enough now that most everyone has antibodies, then I see no reason to feel guilted into getting a vaccine. I’ll let everyone know if the hospital’s stance changes. They’re honest and I trust them and if research suddenly starts pointing towards the rewards outweighing the risks for most of us with the vaccine then they’ll be the first to tell me about it. But until they recommend I do something, I’m not doing it. So no more covid vaccine for me. And so much good will I send you in regards to treatment. I’m not familiar with it being in the bone marrow but I imagine endocrine therapy will be their first go to with it. May it be successful and halt it.
Siggi, those of us who have had cancer should hold our immunity system in a tight grip. If something might mess with it then think real long and hard whether it’s worth it. I felt comfortable with the flu vaccine and I was already sick this year (for the first time since diagnosis) and it sucked so the flu vaccine seemed practical. With my hospital’s refusal to give robust support in regards to the covid vaccine, I’ll avoid and hope for the best.
Hello there, I hope you are keeping well.
I have spoken to many ladies around the world with MBC de nova. Lots of young ladies too.
I wonder if there is a connection. I think in away it might awaken the cancer in me. Mine seems aggressive 3 lines of treatment and still its progressing which has baffled my oncologists. I do think a lot will come out about it. Keep well Sister 🩷🩷
Cherry if you have not tried Breastcancer.org, the american equivalent to this site, I highly recommend it. It has a very active stage 4 group of women who keep abreast of all the latest trials and medication. You would find both support and a wealth of information. Thinking of you, and as they say to each other over on that site, holding you in my pocket.
Thank you Kay, is this like bezzy bc. I am on that site met some amazing MBC thrivers. I have gained a lot of information too. Two ladies have NED at the moment which is marvellous. I will check it out though. I just spoke with my clinical trial nurse as i presented at ED on friday they have to document everything. My trial is through a research place in America and my bloods get sent over there as well as belgium and Singapore its very fascinating. My cancer seems to travel more than me 
. I always say to my nurses i want it going first class with champagne 
. Thinking of you to Kay in my thoughts and prayers 🩷
Thank you for this. I’m actually not shocked as I was at my go on Friday who is very pro vaccination and who suggested I didn’t need it as not immune compromised any more . He would be firmly in the vaccination camp
On a side note too about autoimmune responses. My cousin caught covid 2 years ago found recovery really hard . She then started noticing other issues and finally was diagnosed with early ms . Her consultant and I dont know his credentials believes the covid triggered her ms
My oncologist fully recommended the flu and COVID vaccine as I would be immune suppressed for a year with my treatment. I had both without hesitation. I’ve had flu since 18 being asthmatic. I catch bugs so easily getting chest infections and pneumonia are hard enough without chemotherapy.
They worry that being immune suppressed you may not get a full response but that’s expected as your body is having treatment to kill cells so harder for the body to replicate cells to ward off illness’s such as flu and COVID. Some response is better than none.
I worry that many are saying the vaccine could have caused their cancer, it may well be COVID illness itself as well. There is a lot of anti vaccine information out there and we should be mindful that they wouldn’t offer the vaccines if they didn’t believe they would work or be safe. Think about your cancer treatment, did you query it’s efficacy? As others have said we won’t know for a long time if there is a correlation. Multiple factors can cause cancer and I think that’s the best way to see it, there is no one root cause.
My only disappointment with the vaccine is that I had old spring booster stock not the newer XBB. I’m a grateful if it helps prevents serious illness. I mitigate going out by wearing FFP2 mask and have portable HEPA filter when unmasked such as eating and drinking. This is most helpful while having hours of chemotherapy.So many illness’s out there, people coughing and spluttering without covering their mouths. Have we not learnt anything in the last 3 1/2 years about basic respiratory hygiene? Catch it, Kill it, Bin it!
That’s interesting, as I was reading recently about a potential theory that mRNA spike proteins can block cancer suppression cells.
No one in my family has had cancer.
I had the initial two COVID vaccines as our workplace pressured us into it, without it we were advised not to come in. I had one further booster and declined after that.
I’ve now had breast cancer 