Hi BCNs 
I know the monthly chemo threads are usually created around mid-month and there doesn’t appear to be one for July 2026 at the moment.
Is one in the pipeline or can new starters use this one to start sharing?
Thank you and all the best! x
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Hi @mssteel,
Happy to use this thread for our monthly posts!
This topic is for anyone starting chemo in July to share thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.
You can find more info on chemo on our pages: Chemotherapy for breast cancer | Breast Cancer Now
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Hi all, have just found out ill be starting chemo in the next 10 days. TNBC so having weekly paclitaxel to start with plus one begining with c (car something) and immunotherapy every three weeks.
Anyone else in a similar boat? Sounds very intensive but glad they have so many drugs to chuck at it
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Hi - New to all this, had mastectomy and then lymph node clearance, but I start chemo next Friday 3rd July 4 x EC then 12 lots of weekly Paclitaxel. Have been told EC is fairly aggressive and hair loss is therefore on the cards. I’m going to try cold capping as it’s an option that might help. I have a wig (not sure I’ll wear it) various scarves, silk pillow cases and MooGoo hair and body products. I’m anxious to get on with it but also scared of the effects. Given the option however I think going through this treatment is preferable to worrying about if I still have that pesky rotten cancer. So onwards. 
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Hey @wildthingsare
So glad you have a date to start chemo so soon.
It sounds like you’re on the same regime as me, which I started for TNBC on 22nd May. I have Pembrolizumab, which is an immunotherapy drug, with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel every three weeks with Paciltaxel on its own in the weeks in between for 12 weeks. I then switch to Pembro with EC every 3 weeks for 3 cycles after that.
I’ve found it to be a bit of a treadmill for sure but like you say, it’s great that the treatments are available.
I spoke to a volunteer through Breast Cancer Now’s Someone Like Me Service who had this same treatment in 2024. It worked for her and she’s doing well now if that’s encouraging at all.
Anything I might be able to help with, just let me know. x
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Thank you so much, thats so helpful to know. How have you found it so far? All sounds quite daunting but feels better to have a roadmap out of here!
I’ve been mostly fine but I am on sick leave from work and don’t have children to look after or anything like that so I am in the very fortunate position of being able to rest a lot and not have side effects interfere with much. Any side effects I’ve had from it have so far been mild and short-lived.
The most important thing for me is how much support you receive throughout. The nurses and all other staff at my chemo unit are amazing and you get access to a helpline in case you have any issues between rounds. And of course, this forum is full of the experiences of others which you will probably find to be quite invaluable. You can check out previous monthly chemo threads if you’re interested to see how those who’ve gone before are doing or want to ask for advice there.
I know it seems pretty daunting now. I was terrified prior to starting if I’m honest! But so far it’s been so much more doable than I ever thought it would be.
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Hello everyone, I’ve just come across from the June 2026 chemo starters group as my hospital situation has been so chaotic over the last week and I’m feeling really anxious.
I had a letter appear in the NHS App at 4:30pm on Friday 19th June inviting me to an appointment 10 days earlier on 9th June!! I couldn’t reach anyone and panicked that the “real” letter had been lost. Spoke to a Macmillan nurse on Monday who said the letter was a mistake and to ignore it, and that I’d get the correct one soon.
By Wednesday I still had nothing, so I called the clinic co-ordinator who said my appointment had moved to 1st July. This morning I was told by the consultant’s secretary that it had moved again to 3rd July, and I was given another number for “The Schedulers”.
I finally spoke to someone today who confirmed: bloods, pre-treatment talk and premeds next Friday, with chemo due to start Monday 6th July. They said the chemo department can use the NHS App but it’s unreliable, so they don’t use it — although I still haven’t received the paper letter (post is rubbish here).
I’m trying to stay positive but I’m finding the lack of communication really hard, especially as I was told this is a fast-growing cancer…
My background: I had a routine mammogram 7 weeks ago and was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with a 30mm Grade 3 IDC tumour, ER 8/8, PR 3/8, HER2 positive (believed node negative). The plan is Carboplatin + Docetaxel with Phesgo before surgery, plus Zoledronic Acid for bone protection.
Has anyone else had delays or confusion getting their chemo start dates confirmed? And has anyone got a similar treatment plan?
Sorry for the long post but thanks for reading if you made it this far - I think I just needed to get it all out!!
Meantime, wishing all July starters lots of luck, strength and positive vibes as we begin this journey together. Hope we can all support each other along the way 
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I was due to start in Feb, did not start till Mid March following adverse reaction after adverse reaction. I was a wreck imagining I would never begin chemo and later that I could NOT have chemo. not great with HER+.
IT did take a while for all the test results, reports et al to be gathered by my oncologist. That can be the joy of liaising between different departments even in the same hospital. that is not your fault and it’s okay to call and ask if anyone has sorted out a booking date so you can then have a start date.
You have not failed, you have been proactive, you have chased and in all honesty from experience with my younger DDs very urgent referral to osteo-oncology (turned out to be complex and large benign bone tumours and not the oseteosarcomas they thought from the MRis Ct and X-ray scans she is still under an oncologist as only they have the experience to manage the things surgically and pain wise for her)
IF the oncologist or NHS suspected it was something that had to be dealt with very fast they would have you in right now in less than a day. the fact you have wiggle room and are at home whilst bloody frustrating means you have a bit of time for this all to get into place at your hospital before chemo begins. IF you are very concerned please know most oncologists have very compassionate and helpful secretaries who if you call and let them know your stuck in seeming limbo will ask on your behalf and get back to you as soon as they can.
Hopefully by mid next week you will have an actual start date as well as a booking in starters appointment. try and use the booking in appointment to ask any questions, raise any concern or give a voice to what is worrying you if you can. it is also okay to hand the chemo nurse written down questions if linked me your too shocked by Ìt all to manage to speak. (wish someone had told me that). most trusts wait till you have had your booking in appointment before fully confirming your actual start date and tbh I would be guided by the nurse you see as they will be able to see who really has been booked in and when.
Hang in there as best you can as none of this movable dates is your fault or making. It’s often a case of fitting booking in visits around the people who are already booked in, making sure enough nursing staff there to cover everyone and how many new starters can begin each day as they often need a nurse to stay with them for far longer than those who have been before to ensure all is okay and they are coping.
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Please can I join ? My situation I’m 53 and had a lumpectomy to remove a 33mm lump . Going to begin 6 sessions of preventative chemo on the 9th July . 3 EC followed by 3 Doxtaxol . To say I’m a wreck would be an understatement. I’m going to cold cap to try and hold on to some hair as I’ve heard these are very harsh .
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I’m having same chemo and I start Monday so feel free to reach out to me or if you want me to tell you after what it’s like please message me
X
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Hi everyone,
I just started chemo yesterday, 26 June, so decided to join the July club as it’s so close to the end of the month. I am HR+HER2-, Grade 2, 60% lobular, 40% IDC. Cancer was not caught on mammograms and was ultimately seen via enlarged lymphs. Had axillary clearance, lumpectomy, bilateral reduction and lift at the end of April and started TC X 4 chemo yesterday.
Unfortunately I had a reaction to the docetaxel, but the nurses reacted quickly and got it sorted. They then started me on a MUCH slower drip and that is the pace it will go for the next ones…so I am there a LONG time.
I am cold capping and ordered the Daniel Fields scalp cooling kit after having a free consultation with one of their reps via Zoom. Am hoping this helps mitigate the high risks of hair loss and lower risk of permanent hairloss with this regimen. I’ve also ordered my NHS wig (hate it) and some head wraps in preparation. The lovely assistant who put my cold cap on says he sees lots of success and was a bright ray of light compared to some chemo nurses who say don’t bother. Yes, it was tight and painful but I did take paracetomol and asked for lorazapam and those did help!! It was not great that I had to sit in the chair so much longer due to the reaction and slow dosing, but got through it.
Feeling really rough today - not feeling the steroid high I’ve seen others speak about! No turbo cleaning of the house for me. I managed to get up and make a pot of soup and that’s me done for the day!
Hope everyone else is doing well and the first infusion goes as well as it can xx
Hi there
I have ordered the Daniel Field stuff after having my consultation. I had it with a lady called Dawn who was business like but very knowledgeable and lovely . I was happy to know that they have a water based hair dye u can use once you feel ok to after treatment and they have a salon not to far
Sorry to hear about your side effects. I hope they pass soon x
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Hi @perfectmiss - yes, Dawn is who I had mine with as well. She was very knowledgeable. Seems like they encourage more washing of hair than what is said online (e.g., only once every week or 10 days). I am using spray bottles to spray the Booster that has to be done on days 2 and 3. Seems to make my hair nice and full of body - but that could also be the bob cut I just got xx
Yes, the hair dye looks to be an intriguing product line as well.
Good luck with the cold capping xx
It would be good to hear others experiences of this too . Just a quick question she did say about hair washing too but I wanted to ask her how many times is safe ? Which treatment are you having . Yes I’ll do the spray bottle too as it reaches the scalp better I hear . There is also the active grow thing you have to spray in twice daily after ?
Hi to all starting in July,
you may find it useful to read the section on cold capping on the Uk Cancer Hair Care charity website. They can help with any hair related questions due to cancer treatments and can signpost you to headcoverings, hairpieces, toppers and similar to help.
IF cold capping for whatever reason is not for you or if you still loose your hair they also have a section on scalp care and looking after new growth when you get to the other side of chemo. Hope that helps.
Thank you for that . I’ve been watching her on you tube
Hi all, has anyone got any recommendations for waterproof picc line covers? Ive heard the ones provided are a bit rubbish. Thank you