My mum has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and when visiting the oncologist have been told that she has an abnormal bone scan indicating that she has secondary bone caner (in spine, ribs, shoulders and hips). She has been prescribed Tamoxifen and will not be seeing the oncologist until the end of December.
I don’t know anymore information and nor does my mum. I feel I know nothing. Can anyone share anymore information on this.
Thank you
Hi J2007
Welcome to the forums. I am sorry to hear that your mum has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but I am sure you will get lots of help and support from the many informed users of this site, who will be along shortly with their support.
At Breast Cancer Care we have many free of charge publications and services which may help your mum and yourself. I have posted below links to some of our publications which may help you immediately. If you or your mum feel you need to speak to someone in confidence then the helpline staff are there for you, the lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2 pm, the number to call is freefone 0808 800 6000.
Publication links:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=661
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=667
I hope the above is of some help.
Kind regards
Louise, Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
Hi, I’m sorry to hear about your Mum. I have secondary bone cancer and I had Tamoxifen as my first treatment, in 2003. It worked very well. It takes a few months to be able to tell if an hormonal treatment is working so it makes sense your Mum isn’t seeing her oncologist until end December.
I also have bone strengthening treatment (bisphosphonates) hope your Mum has been offered these as well. 4 years on and I feel very well, I wish your Mum all the best with her treatment.
Best wishes.
Just want to reinforce what Belinda has said here. I was re-diagnosed in 2004 and feel well now and am on bisphosphonates and have been for the past 3 years.
Also, if she is experiencing a lot of pain from her bones they will look at offering her radiotherapy as this can alleviate the pain.
Good luck to your mum.
Pinkdove
Thanks for your comments.
Reading those leaflets was useful. Its good to hear that 3-4 years later people are feeling well. This sounds terrible but when you don’t know the relevant information I was worrying that my mum was going to die soon and at least I know now that may not be the case.
She has only been offered Tamoxifen. Hopefully someone will soon look at other pain relief soon as she struggles to complete every day tasks (cleaning, dressing) and she appears to be in pain a lot of the time which means she is unable to walk far.