went to breast clinic last monday had mamogram fine needle biopsy and core biopsy, got results of fine needle 20 mins later to say cancer was there have to get surgery and chemo because of my age, have to return tomorrow for ultrasound as there were no radiographers there on monday also have to go for ct scan and bone scan on tuesday is this normal procedure to have these extra scans as my aunt who has had breast cancer twice did not get them and this is worrying me? would be grateful for any advice on this
Hi Shaz
Yes it’s quite normal to receive all these scans and tests especially if you are one of the younger women like myself where they throw everything at you. You are also more likely to have chemo if you are younger. It sounds like you are receiving all the tests and scans very quickly which is good and then you can start treatment asap.
I was diagnosed 24/12/07 have WLE and sentinal node biopsy and having my oncologist appointment to decide treatment tomorrow Oh I’m 39 and they seem to throw everything at you if you are younger as my BC nurse said “we get the most mileage out of treatment”. I havent had any scans but just wanted to say hello and you are not on your own but good news you are getting everthing quickly some ladies in here are on massive waiting game. One thing I have learnt on this amazingly steep learning curve there is no such thing as a normal course of tests or treatment. There are people in here who may have similar diagnosis but have completely different treatments so try not to worry too much (easier said than done I know) and try not to go mad with the googgling you will drive yourself crazy with conflicting information.
There are some amazing people in here who can and will help and support you I wouldhave been lost without them. Good luck for Tuesday. Shonagh xx
Hi Shaz40
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care forums where I am sure you will gain valuable support, information and advice from your fellow users.
In addition, Breast Cancer Care have written a ‘Resources Pack’ for anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer which you may find helpful to read, it is filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. You can order it from the following link or you can ask for a copy (which is free) to be sent to you via the helpline:
There is information in the pack about our other support services, including our helpline which you may find useful to use at some point if you need to talk anything through or just need someone to lend an understanding ear. The telephone number for the helpline is 0808 800 6000, the calls are free, the lines being open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm.
hi ruby
thanx that puts my mind at rest big time was getting myself in more of a state that they thought it might have spread than dealing with the actual breast cancer will see wot tuesday brings
Good luck for Tuesday Sharon and I’ll be thinking of you and let us know how you get on.
It’s a difficult time for you and the waiting is the hardest part but once you start treatment things will get a bit easier. You will still have your ups and downs which we all go through and which are completely normal. When you have a wobbly moment come onto this site and there will be plenty of support for you.
Hi Shaz,
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it is a awful frightening time when you are told.I had Ct scan and bone at the start both clear, I think each hospital is different as to what scans you initially have. I have read lots of posts on here where some ladies had lots of scans and others none, so I would not worry too much it may just be that its standard procedure at your hospital. And it will give you added reassurance. I am due to have my last chemo tommorow and I know at the moment it is difficult to focus on anything but you will get through it, it gets much easier when you have your treatment plan in place, honestly. When I was diagnosed in June I was a wreck but something kicks in and you cope. We have all been there and we will be there for you. Be kind to yourself, and if you want to cry, or rant and rave, there is always someone to listen on here. I wish you well with your treatment and your scans, and please let us know how you get on, will be thinking of you
Love and hugs,
Jillxxx
I was diagnosed in Nov last year Following ultrasound/mammo/biopsy I was advised that lump was cancerous. Before any treatment regime was planned, I was sent for ct scan and liver ultrasound, lung xray etc i was informed that this was because they didn’t want to plan treatment without these results in case there was a different regime they should be adopting (in case of spread). Fortunately all the other scans came back clear.
Hi Shaz , i am 41 and have been diagnosed with a grade 3 aggressive bc in Jan 08, like you i was devastated, just had a sentinel node biopsy to see if it has spread to the lymph glands ( fingers crossed!) will get the results fri and will then start chemo next mon, have been told i will lose all my hair, making jokes at the momment but i am sure this will be hard to deal with , trying to be positive and look past the treatment. I hav etwo children so tring to be strong for them.
Hi custard, shaz and sarah,
Sorry you have had to join us…you will get a very warm welcome on these forums and lots of support, BCC also have some very good information sheets which you can order on this site and are free.
Hi Shaz
Before starting chemo i had a bone scan and a ct scan and a echocardiagram. Unfortunately for me it picked up my secondary cancer in my bones
It is standard practice to give those scans to all women at my hospital before they start chemo
Bone scan was doable - my room was very cold though so wear a cardigan if you can.You also have to lay very still -for my scan they played some nice music which helped to relax me.
I did not like the ct scan. They did not warn me that at one point it would feel like you had wet yourself. I therefore was not expecting that feeling and got quite distressed thinking that I had in fact wet myself on the scan table. No apology or nothing was said even though it was obvious that I was in distress
At least i will know for next time!
Jools
sorry about your secondry jools i have had my ct scan and bone scan, know what you mean about the wetting yourself it was horrible both came back clear, was a massive relief, still to have ultrasound as machine was not working on monday. I have to have that on monday and if i have to have lumpectomy will be admitted on wednesday to have op on thursday or if i have to have mastectomy they will refer me to another hospital with plastic surgeon so more waiting, though not like last week. Thanx everyone for there kind words and will be posting again
Glad to hear the scans came back clear, also thought I would just let you know they mentioned chemo to me from day one same as you due to my age (39) but in the end I am having 19 sessions of radiotherapy 5 years of tamoxifen and 2 years on zoladex they gave me the % of survival in 10 years time as 94% and it only increased to 94.8% if I had chemo instead of the zoladex. This is because I was 100% oestrogen and 80% progesteron receptive and HER2 negative.
Honestly I was really prepared for chemo, had organised my short pre hair fall out cut and a shaving party but in the end it all changed overnight. my diagnosis in the end was 1.8cm grade 2 with no node involment if thats any help.
glad to hear you did not need chemo, at what point do they tell you the stage and grade of cancer ? is it after the op or do they know before hand bit confused by this
I was also advised about chemo from the beginning (I’m 46). Although they can gain an idea of size etc of the tumour from biopsy/ultrasound - you normally get the stage/grade etc from pathology report after op.
My treatment regime is 4 x chemo, 20 x rads, 4 x chemo and a year of herceptin as I was HER+.
My initial prognosis of % survival in 10 years was 33%, (with no further treatment) - however the chemo, rads and herceptin increase this to nearer 80% - so it makes sense!
Good luck with final scan and best of luck with treatment - I have just had the last of my first 4 cycles of chemo today - it really is do-able, I didn’t think I would cope but here I am, getting on fine - went for my chemo today in a t-shirt that said ‘Does this T-shirt make my head look bald?’ - raised a laugh in the chemo unit!
They gave me a rough estimate from the mammogram, scans and core biopsy of grade 1 and 1cm but like Margaret said they give you the exact results after the surgery to remove the tumor and lymph nodes. It did go up to grade 2 and 1.8cm but like we have said there are no two cases that are exactly the
same. I got my results after the op a week later and they gave me the node results a the same time the HER2 results took another week.
My survival for 10 years after surgery without any further treatment was 90% and has increased to 94% wih the radiotherapy, tamoxifen and zoladex.
Margaret: Good luck with rest of your treatment. Your treatment programme sounds like they are definately throwing everything at it which is what they said they were going to do to me. They seem to think us pre menopausal women can take it and you sound like a strong BC Babe to me.
Thanks Shona - they sure are throwing everything at it - and now they have given me my prognosis - and I can see the potential benefits, it does make it a bit easier to cope. I have to say I’m looking forward to the radiotherapy - not sure i could have done 8 continuous session of chemo - the break will be nice lol - and I’ve just booked a wee holiday in the lakes for the youngest’s school holidays - which coincide with the end of my rads and before next chemo starts - so have something to look forward to be the dreaded taxotere lol
I try to be strong lol - but like everyone ele - I have my bad days - but you get over them and put them behind you and carry on - it’s the only way !!
so much for scans being clear, got a phone call this morning from bc nurse to say there was cysts on my liver and ovaries, was told the other day that i had a cyst on my liver and that was pretty common, not to worry, they want me to have an ultrasound of both and will give me an appointment on monday while i am there, this has totally messed with my head, back to feeling anxious and sick worrying dont know if i am being drama over this feel like everything is a mess just now also really low was already anxious thinking of surgery pos next week, just feel like i am falling apart i am usually such a strong person just really struggling to deal with all this today.
Hi Sharon,
Sorry you are struggling today, Try not to worry too much (Easier said than done I know) I hope I can in some way alleviate your concerns a bit.At the start of my treatment I had a CAT followed by an ultrasound Scan which showed multiple cysts of the liver, one on the kidney and and a ovarian cyst, but nothing to worry about, and I went ahead had surgery and have just finished chemo. It is all a lot to take in at the beginning, but I am sure they are just being thorough and making sure you have all the necessary tests. Im sure you will be fine Sharon, liver cysts are common apparently. I hope this has helped a little, you are not at all overreacting it is a very worrying time I worried over the slightest little thing at the start. When do you get the result of the ultrasound? Please let ius know how you get on. Be Thinking of you.
thank you for answering so quick, hopefully it will be okay have to go on monday for ultrasound of breast which i have not had done due to radiographer being off and then machine not working bc nurse said she would give me an appointment for ultrasound of liver and ovaries while i am there.