I agree with Angie - our bodies are producing mutant cells all the time and they are usually dealt with by our bodies immune system.
It is when the immune system is under too much strain that the little bu**ers get a grip. The ‘strain’ factors can be varied but if they all stack up too much the overload is too great for us to deal with especially if the hormones are overactive too I suspect.
I have cancer in my family (father died from melenoma & aunt with BC (who is still alive in her 80’s)) so I knew I was susceptable but I did have:-
An injury to that breast
1st pregnacy at 40 (using hormone treatment)
Stress of new job
Drinking more than usual
Eating more rubbish than usual
Taking more dairy than usual (yogurt/yogurt drink/milk daily)
It all stacks up - now trying to reverse (most) of the above and hope for the best.
One thing the district nurse said to me when she came to look at my dressings after the op - was that where we live is rife for breast cancer.
There is a electrical station about 2 miles away and a lot of the locals do think that this environmental factor has something to do with it. Just a thought.
Both my parents died of cancer (though not BC) so I assume I have a genetic susceptibility. But they were in their 60s and 70s, when a lot of people can expect to get cancer, not 44 as I was. I had no known risk factors - late puberty, three children, two before I was 30, breastfed all three for six months each, never been overweight, good diet, always been fit & active.
So what do I blame? A hugely stressful period when my mother was taken ill & died, just before I was dx. I know what Jane says about stress, but if you look at what has been published there are studies both showing that stress raises the risk of primary breast cancer, and that it doesn’t. We don’t know enough about it yet to say for sure either way.
I have read a couple of interesting suggestions, but I remain open minded. Firstly that repeated minor irritation of the breast tissue may cause an over production of cells. This was picked up after a study of nurses who develpoed BC in a similar area of the breast which conincided with placing pens into the breast pocket of their uniform. Also that BC is more common in the left breast.
I have had a genetic predisposition established but believe my mums 2 dx were caused by stress, and living with a very controling, abusive husband.
A Dr told me that if we all lived long enough cancer would kill everyone in the end.
Interesting thread girls. I think the main thing that comes out of all these discussions is that none of us should feel ‘guilty’ in any way. That is the thing with this dreaded disease, that it is so unpredictable. We know the obvious risk factors, but even then many, many girls never develop the disease and others who have always lived a very healthy life get it.
In my case, there is a very high risk factor as every female member on my mother’s side has had breast cancer. None of us have been gene tested, probably no need I should think! I don’t know whether all my family members have had ER+ cancers, as many of them died a long time ago and people where not routinely tested for that then. My mum is now 84 having survived BC for 24 years, Interestingly, she was on HRT for many years and my dad had just died (stress?) when she was diagnosed. She had mastectomy, but no hormones despite being highly oestrogen +. My sister had preventative double mastectomy as she had numerous areas of calcifications in both breasts and one area of very early DCIS (in Germany, where she lives, this is not termed cancer). All my female cousins have also died from CA, some at a very early age, some later. So I was not suprised when I was dx. ER+. Mastectomy, recon, Tamoxifen. What I was not prepared for was a recurrence some 6 years later. Again, was stress to blame? I had been going through a divorce, a re-marriage, 2 house moves, family problems, financial problems etc. and then the recurrence. My oncologist is of a similar opinion to JaneRA that a small cell of cancer was present from the start and then decided to re-emerge. Why some cells remain dormant for many years or even for ever, is something no-one at this point can tell.
All we can do, girls is hope for the best (Jane I know you don’t like that word), get on with life and definitely never blame ourselves.
I have read this type of discussion on these boards sooo many times over the past three years. For everyone who did smoke and got bc there is someone who didn’t smoke and got bc. For everyone who had kids early and got bc there is someone who had them late (or not at all) and got bc. The same goes for excercising, drinking, eating, er+ or neg her2+ or neg etc etc. the list goes on and on. I have quite a problem with the ‘stress’ as a factor. If this were so, would we not see huge increases in bc in war-torn countries and other places where stress levels are so much higher than here? Perhaps there is more. BC is not ‘one’ disease but split into many subsets. Consequently there is not ‘one’ treatment but many. As we know there are so many variants within the disease, I am sure there must be many and varied reasons for contracting it. Cancer is a huge subject and the answers are not going to be simple.
I constantly hope for the best…(and fear and the know the worst) .I just don’t ‘think positive’…its different!
And its not a personal opinion that when cancer ‘recurs’ its cells from the original cancer…this is within present medical knowledge an accepted fact of the disease. ( A second primary is however a new cancer.) I haven’t got a personal clue why cancer happens or recurs any more than I have a personal clue about gravity or the mechanics of photosynthesis…I’m hopeless at science…but I have an inquiring mind and like to take my facts from those who I do think have a clue what they’re talking about.
I had a breast reduction and was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half later (my lump was quite big at this stage). I heard that one of my friends had commented that it could have been caused by the breast reduction and I really took offence to that because she seemed to be saying that it was my own fault!
Additionally, I went through three lots of IVF treatment (well not exactly the whole treatment as I was doing it for somebody else and donating my eggs to her). The first time it worked and she got pregnant but then lost the baby early on. THe second time, it worked and she has a beautiful child. The third time was just before I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the treatment didn’t work.
So, could any of those factors have contributed towards my breast cancer? I really hope not. In fact, my BC is not hormone positive, it’s HER2 positive so I don’t think the egg donation had anything to do with what has happened to me. There was a huge amount of stress involved in the egg donation, particularly when the person I was donating to lost the baby the first time - I was devastated after being so elated that she had become pregnant.
Other than that, I don’t drink or smoke (although before the smoking ban came in in public places, I went to pubs and clubs very regularly). I don’t have any children but I do eat pretty healthily and I do/did exercise.
I have read the above with interest and much thought and I too speculate as to the cause. Asked oncologist as in my case I feel it is a result of menopause. She said no. It affects people of all ages, builds, life styles etc.
In my case I have been diagnosed at 56 with lobular 5cm and 2cm, pr+ and HER2+.
I never took the pill or HRT because of risks. I have never had children or tried to. I hardly drink alcohol and have never smoked. My only “sin” was getting 4 stone overweight from 45 onwards and doing nothing about it. Attributed to eat too much chocolate and fat. I have read that cancer is stimulated by fat & sugars. Has anyone else read that. Also I had or have had a late menopause at about 55 which I also knew was a risk factor and again I have read that oestrogen is stimulated by being overweight. I have no family history of bc whatsoever. But everyone on my father’s side including him died of cancer although all with smoking related cancers at about aged 80! I will count myself v lucky indeed to get to 80 and I havent smoked! My father died at 83 of multiple myeloma and I dont think they know what causes that.
Since starting chemo I must the only person who has lost weight. half a stone in six weeks. I have lost taste for chocolate and am trying to eat more fruit to boost immune system (isnt working!) and no alcohol although I didnt have much before. It just seems sensible not to tax system anymore than it is already with further junk.
This discussion was triggered by a growing concern about ivf and fertility treatment and links with bc (amongst other things). The concern is just by me at the moment. However given the choice I would rather have had my daughter and breast cancer than not to have had her at all! julie
This is indeed a very interesting discussion. I myself think mine was related to HRT, my answers when i asked the medical staff was…it could have been ?
on a different note I read a very good paper today (Prized Writing) by Lisa Gershman (just google her name).
She has had bc and wrote about “Fighting Cancer Stigmas” it is all about fears, concerns, stigmas, and stereotypes regarding cancer. It is very good and would like to know your thoughts…
this thread is particularly interesting to me as i have spent many hours since diagnosis in June trying to work out why i have it. I have always been the most careful person around and have always weighed up risk factors before doing something,i know sounds boring but stay with me i have had an enjoyable life believe me! I have never had a microwave,my children are 16 7 and 4 and the 16yr old was only allowed a mobile phone on his 16th birthday he actually thought at one point he’d get a scooter before a mobile!
Needless to say i didnt tick any of the risk factors for getting cancer,however my consultant said i ticked the biggest box of all i’m a woman. I however am not convinced by that as if that was the case it would be all women getting cancer just like when i was a child and we all got chickenpox,mumps,etc…
For me personally i definately feel i can pinpoint it down to my pregnancy with my third child, it was so different to the other two,i felt so ill,tired and sick,and that was for the whole of the pregnancy i never got that period where you bloom in the middle. Obviously that concerns me that it would also have to mean that its been growing for four years.
If i could recommend one book that has been an absolute godsend to me and answered a lot of questions that i have on cancer it is “anti cancer a new way of life” written by Dr David Servan Schreiber. It gives a very good explanation on how some people may go onto develop secondries while others dont.
I also think it is perfectly natural for us to wander why this is happening to us and not somebody else, why it has become so much more common,after all my mother is in her 80s and comes from the generation where most people smoked,and not one of them developed cancer of anything! If i’m going to be cynical at all i’m afraid it is likely to be towards all the news reports i read suggesting this causes cancer or that does.
Anyway i’m really glad you opened up this discussion as without curiosity and belief that the impossible can happen we’d still be in mus huts.
Had early menopause (38) with horrendous side affects of uncontrolled crying and mega hot sweats. I’m a teacher and my work became imposile, so I was put on
HRT
Had a very stressfull 2 yrs with a crazy job, too much travelling to work time (1 1/2 hrs each way), and financial worries. I have read that stress does affect the immune system
Was on the pill for 10 yeas, always mega healthy and fit and slim. Had two children, breastfed both (9 months and 18 months), got fatter, took HRT, got fatter, unhappy marriage, drank loads, got fatter. Divorced, mega stress, within three years had DCIS, mother in law murdered, 23 year old son killed - got invasive cancer a year and a half after my boy was electrocuted.
Probably a few contributory factors there.
Having check ups and waiting for results of tests is probably a drip feed of stress post BC too!!!
I was very happy (not now as I’m stage 4!) before my diagnosis.(in my 40’s) .was slim, a non smoker and I just don’t like the taste of alcohol. Ate well, lots of fresh veg, fruit, organic diet. Breast fed for ages and was a very young Mum. (age 20) Have never taken the pill.
Used to walk for miles and was very active. I should tick all the right boxes but somehow I don’t.
PS…hello Viv, I remember you from the ‘old’ BCC forums and have often thought about you, hoped you were well.
Had children at 20 and 23, breastfed them both but had severe post natal depression (undiagnosed for a long time), Was a very anxious person generally, unhappy marriage, stressful job, divorce, children (they’re now 26 and 23) disowned me (still do 6 years down the line), re-married. Diagnosed with bc April this year (ER+). I’m certain stress played a huge part in this, however, running alongside this was problem with hormones which has never been resolved. The following have been put down to a hormonal imbalance from which I suffered from late teens:
Migraine
Excessive body hair
Heavy periods
Acne
Breast cysts
Depression
You name it, I seemed to have it. To add to it, the last 4 years I became very overweight (comfort eating) and drinking too much (stress busting) and my maternal grandmother died from bc so I suppose I’ve ticked all the right boxes for being a prime candidate. I suppose I should’ve seen it coming, but who knows?
Whatan interesting thread. diagnosed ages 45, 3and half years agoalready spread to ribs, now further spread to liver, lungs and more bones. er+ her-
tonsils removed 13 - could this reduce immune system?
periods 13
Pill from age 17 until 33 with n ot many breaks
Drank a lot (during nurse training) for 3 years but not as much as my fellow students. Of all of them I was classes as the more sensible one.
Never liked exercise but lots of walking when working on the wards.
Children at 29 and 32
Stressfull job but not as stressfull as others.
Mam died 2yrs before diagnosis - Only ill 4 mths - lung cancer
I’m sure a cause will be found some day - For me I blame the pill but who knows.
Out of interest have you heard of breakthrough generations. They are recruiting womwn from aged 16 upwards who have or not had breast cancer for a long term study of causes of bc. It involves having blood taken and a questionairre. for anyone interested www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk