Hi, I can fully identify with what you’re feeling about not getting seen sooner. I’m quite a bit older than most contributors to this forum but I also keep asking myself, how could I be so naive as to think that a little puckering and dimpling in my breast was nothing to worry about! I left it for quite a number of weeks before thinking maybe I should get it checked out. As soon as the GP saw it, she said this looks suspicious and is probably a breast cancer. I was totally gobsmacked as it was the last thing I expected to hear. Moving on a few weeks, I have now been seen at the breast clinic, had all the relevant tests and then a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I get the results and a treatment plan going forward next week and I’m terrified of what that’ll be! I still can’t believe how stupid I was not to get seen by my GP sooner than I did! However, I guess anyone in the same situation feels the same and we can only be thankful that we’ve done something about it. I hope everything turns out well for you and anyone else going through this. All good wishes to everyone 
Pmeg14
Yes. I did get seen as soon as I felt the lump. But I can’t help wondering how long was the lump there BEFORE I felt it. Basically, there’s always something for us to feel guilty about but I’m trying to learn that guilt isn’t a productive emotion for me just now and leave it behind. Xx
Hi mrshmbucks - sorry at your diagnosis. I was diagnosed Jan’23 stage2 invasive lobular BC (7+cm), ER+, HER2+, 2 nodes impacted. Had CT & full body scan. Cleared oligometastatic cancer, despite hotspot on pelvis. Determined clear. In my case had neo-adjuvant chemo, to reduce tumour. Outcome far beyond what any of the team could have anticipated. It was the consultant radiologist letter that put it into simple English -
“ Ana was diagnosed with a very large some 80% tissue impacted, left breast, grade 2 lobular cancer, with a metastatic node at biopsy. It was oestrogen receptor and Her2 positive. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy achieved a good, though partial response, with less than 10% residual disease in the tumour bed. A subsequent mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and axillary clearance demonstrated a further 2/19 positive lymph nodes. She is receiving adjuvant anti-Her2 therapy and Letrozole. I met her to discuss adjuvant radiotherapy.”
I was 70 & in otherwise good health. Oncology were encouraged to “bombard” me & treatment + surgery has saved my life. Clinic team has since confirmed that my general health facilitated the high levels of neo-adjuvant chemo.
I completed all treatment in June ‘24. I found the surgery the easiest part of all the process. My left breast weighed 0.923kg 
, weighed by the anaesthetist! I have chosen to go flat, fun at age 71.
I’ve just completed my 2nd annual check-up, mammo & FtoF app. I remain in remission & I have fully recovered my health, back to my pre-cancer level. I’m a walker (including long distance trails), sailor, & simple strength/flexibility exercises.
I’m on daily Letrozole & annual check-ups for 7 years (poss 10). My family & friends all agree (with my daughters finally expressing the fears etc they experienced).
We all laugh that I can finally return to my obsessive worry that dementia will get the better of me & prepare with not being able to live independently.
BC is well research with new more effective treatments coming online everyday. Oligometastatic disease is actively under research with trials underway. Do speak with your team. If they are aware that you want to know, they do speak openly/fully.
There are no guarantees, but I know that one of my treatments only came out of trial 5 years ago; I benefitted from more effective treatment. Wishing you well, courage & my love. Anna xx
Hi Anna. Thank you for taking the time to reply so kindly. If you don’t mind me asking: where was your oligometastatic disease? Mine is a spot in the sternum.
Hi - no probs with questions. The “hotspot” presented on my pelvis - hip bone, front right face. They did more detailed scan & cleared as non-cancerous. At the time I never followed up, as so much else was moving on apace. From GP to first round of chemo was 6 weeks & this was during nurse & junior doc strikes! Anna
Ah so you weren’t oligometastatic in the end Anna? Xx
Hi - no, I did explain in my initial post. So, so sorry it wasn’t clear. In my case it was ONLY part of the early diagnosis & discounted by the time treatment started. The diagnosis was explained, but obviously when treatment etc was being decided they needed to determine as clearly as possible what the hotspot was. How they reached the “clear” I’m unsure, but I’m aware it was when “treatment” was being discussed, including entering clinical trial. It was then that I was advised I had metastasis limited to nodes. All this was within the first 6 weeks, only my daughters & I were ever aware of possibility, & as it proved to be a “never was” something that both my daughters prefer not to be part of the later narrative. But what was discussed with me in the first weeks was each aspect of my diagnosis, prognosis, treatments etc. It was not ever delivered as stage 4 including when the hotspot showed in the scan. They told me & sent me for further diagnostic scans; but early discussions on the “what’s” took place.
Again, Im so sorry that the hotspot being cleared didn’t come across clearly in the opening. Very best wishes Anna xx
Not at all: it’s so kind of you to respond xx