Hi, newbie here! I got my initial diagnosis yesterday. I have annual mammograms due to family history and was called back following my recent one and after various tests, it appears I have a 3/4cm invasive ductal carcinoma - grade 2. From this initial scans it appears the lymph nodes are clear, and I am due to have a lumpectomy in 5 weeks, followed by 5 days of radiotherapy and then letrozole for 10 years. It is ER+ but still waiting on HER tests. Consultant will take some lymph nodes during the lumpectomy to be 100% sure they are clear, if they are not I will need chemo - if they are no chemo. I had endometrial cancer 11 years ago, so my head is spinning at the moment at the thought of chemo again. Getting the sympathy looks from people now when I tell them - and I am not one to be fussed over, just want to get on with this.
Hi, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Grade 3 IDC here currently going thro chemo. Have my ups and downs (right now in my downs phase…trying to get back up!). I can’t be doing with the sympathetic head tilt at all! and agree I hate being fussed over / treated differently. Hope your remaining tests come back quickly & you can get your treatment plan sorted as quick as possible xx
Hi @ozzyb sorry to hear that you’re in this headspace again after so many years. Er+ HEr2- BC is by far the most common sort of BC and consequently is dealt with all day every day and has a good prognosis. I know you’re not sure of your HER2 status yet but if it comes back positive then you are likely to have more extensive treatment than without - which is kinda obvious really - but is still eminently treatable. I was the same as you in tumour size and er+ pr+ her2- but Grade 1. I was also told that they wouldn’t know about chemo until the tumour was out and thoroughly tested. As it turned out, I didn’t need it, just lumpectomy, 5 days of rads and hormone therapy for 5 years. I’m 2 years down the line now and doing fine so just get through the next few months and you’ll be okay. If anything does concern you over active treatment, as well as your own BC nurse specialist, you can talk to the Breast Cancer Now nurses on 0808 800 6000. Welcome to the forum, it’s a very supportive place.
Hi ozzyb
Sorry you’ve joined the club but welcome. Similar here, Grade 2 IDC with a couple of little extra Grade 1s and some DCIS found for good measure in surgery. Mine was ER+ and HER-. Thankfully lymph nodes were clear so no chemo but 5 days radiotherapy and 5 years Tamoxifen. It’s a kick in the teeth when you’ve been through tough stuff before, trust me I get that, but you will get through this. Any questions or you want to get things off your chest (no pun intended) just shout. x