Hi all,
Not posted in a while. Bit of background, first BC 32 years ago, aged 36, grade 1 er+ lumpectomy, radiotherapy no node involvement, and given Tamoxifen. Forward to summer 2023 recurrence same breast but multi focal, lower inner quadrant. Grade 2 er/pr + onco score 11, nodes negatve, mastectomy and Letrozole. Last week, ultra sound for stomach issue which showed shadows on the liver. Ct scan next day showed liver fine but 2cm on lung and enlarged axillary nodes. Seen lung consultant who wanted to do lung biopsy tomorrow, but at breast clinic Wednesday, so they will wait. All on the left side as BC. Once again the NHS have been amazing, this was all done in a week! But, and there is a big but, I did not know until last week that the CT I had last year showed a 1cm node! Obviosly somone dismissed that, without any follow up to check for growth, so feeling pretty let down and overwhelmed.
Hi casmo, Iâm sorry that youre going through this. I had a second bc in the same breast (2022) 17 years after the first one. Because of the recurrence I had a CT scan and the report mentioned a lung nodule which the surgeon didnât speak about. (Saw him before I actually saw the report; he said it was âclearâ) I think nodules in soft organs are often incidental findings but that said I donât know how big they must be before monitoring. Anyway, I hope yours turns out NOT to be lung mets but perhaps the scan reports need proper discussion with patients. Wishing you well, casmo xx
Hi Casmo, so sorry this has happened to you. I had a very similar thing happen. I had primary bc in 1999. In 2021 I had a CT scan for something else which reported a lot of things but not a recurrence of BC. At the beginning of 2022 I had an ultrasound for a lump in my chest and was told it was just a rib and âno one has two sides that matchâ. Protesting that there had never been a lump there before got me nowhere. Dec 2022 a follow up CT scan for the 2021 scan showed a mass over 8cm across. Apparently this could be seen on the 2021 scan but was not noticed. This was not reported until the middle of January and an MRI and biopsies in late February confirmed breast cancer cells in chest wall and sternum. I also feel that the NHS let me down. The cancer could have been caught earlier and although secondary cancer is incurable and mine is inoperable, at least catching it earlier would have given me more time. However, I have tried to put those thoughts aside and am currently getting on ok with various treatments. The tumour in the chest wall has reduced in size and is stable at the moment. Anyway, all the best for your treatment now. New treatments are coming along all the time as well. Good luck and sending hugs. xxx
DeeBee1982, my heart goes out to you, sadly our lives are literally in their hands, one mistake or dismissal of our fears, can be devastating for us! All said and done we can only play the cards handed to to us and carry on fighting. So glad you have improvement, and as you say new treatments are coming along all the timeđ Massive hugs to you, I will let you know the outcome, keep trucking! Xx
Hi Margarita,
Yes I get this, lung nodules can be quite common. However a nodule of 1cm I would have thought would be a red light, as harmless lung nodules are generally smaller. The very least to re scan in 3 months to check it hasnât grown. Anyway, I am where I am, and as a lifetime on and off smoker, and it is Lung cancer, I kew the risks. Saying all that, my father was diagnosed and died with lung cancer within 3 months, a complete non smoker. My mother had 2BCâs and cancer of the uterus, grandmother pancreatic, and this is my third time. With this kind of history I have always thought cancer would get me one day, just a case of which one. I wish you the very best, I hope you have seen the back of your cancer once again, onwards and upwards! Xx
Weâre so sorry to hear what youâre going through @casmo, I hope youâre able to get some clear answers soon. While you wait if you ever feel like you need someone to talk to weâre here, and you can reach our nurses on 0808 800 6000.
Sending all the best wishes,
Alice
Thanks Cosmo and do let me know what happens. I have to think that the NHS staff do their best and mistakes happen. Very best wishes to you. xxx
Thank you Casmo,
What a capricious beast it is, cancer. I knew someone who, like your dad, was diagnosed as a non smoker with lung cancer. He was in his 40s while my partnerâs mum puffs away at 90⊠i really hope you have a clear diagnosis soon and a treatment plan. As others have said, there are new treatments coming on stream frequently. Well, Iâm 64 now so have lived in remission/ with bc for 19 years; hope for more but who knows?! This last was a Grade 3 meanie. Meanwhile Elle Macpherson says she treated her HER2 ER+ bc âthe natural wayâ⊠Every good wish, M xx