It’s a right kick in the teeth isn’t it? I thought I was being overly cautious when I found my little lump, but being diagnosed age 29 was a complete shocker. Even now when I go for check-ups the professionals keep saying how young I am and even a neurologist I saw last week almost got really emotional about it.
I don’t smoke and never have, it doesn’t run in my family and I don’t carry the gene, I hardly ever drink (ok maybe over did it between ages of 18-21) and eat fairly well. All I know is that in my case, hormones have ALOT to answer for, not only was the cancer 8/8 receptive, but my high hormone levels caused Obstetric Cholestasis (the itchy thing) in all 3 of my pregnancies. I find it easier to blame hormones. Got to have something to pin it all on hey?!
and just a little message for Barbwill - your picture is gorgeous, you totally pull off the no hair thing. I kept being told that I had a 'nice shaped head’lol. I suspect you get the same thing too.
It’s all a complete mystery. I have researched my family history back to 1750, and not one of my ancestors died of cancer. However, in my immediate family my Father had stomach cancer, my Mother had bladder cancer, my Brother had liver cancer, and I have Secondary Breast Cancer.
But then this is all a strange coincidence, because none of these cancers are related.
I agree its a complete mystery and just bloody bad luck. i was 38 first time and had lived a very healthy life, gave up smoking in 20s to detox before babies an had decent diet and occasional alc. after treatment, my way of getting through it all was to have more fun. it took a few years of practise, but by 50 i was fit as a flea, and had a great life. it came back when i was 50. i think the most important thing is to have the best life you can, whatever that means for you. the starting point is that its not your fault, life can be unfair.
Kate131, i was so sad to read your posting, you must feel very strongly that life is unfair - it has been for you. just wanted to say that i’m thinking of you and your family with love xxx
Katel31, huge huge hugs to you. I have 3 yr old twins and I know what it means to want to be around for the children. They are my biggest worry and yet my biggest source of joy and serenity.
About alcohol, I always drank very very little, I stopped completely for three years between the pregnancy and breastfeeding, and never really started again. My oncologist didn’t believe me when I said I don’t even drink a unit a week and had to insist that it was true. I am BR CA 2 positive so my cancer has a genetic origin. Knowing exactly where it comes from is a bit of a consolation, I have to say. At least I don’t need to think whether I brought it on myself. On the other hand, each of my kids has a 50% chance of having inherited, and the rest of my family is also at risk.
I also wonder why . I was 36 when dx in feb and there is no obvious family link, my father had throat cancer 2 years ago and my maternal grandmother died from ovarian cancer when she was 52, but my mother has had no cancer and is now 64, so doctors werent bothered.
I believe my cancer came from an injury last oct. i pulled the muscle in my chest ( playing darts), nurse wasnt worried about the pain just said to see doctor if it was still there a week later… it wasnt!. I was also wearing underwired bras and the wire ended in exactly the same place as the lump grew. so trauma and irritation, but the doctors just say it couldnt be the cause, would be nice to know what was as i’m TN, so cant blame hormones
Good luck to us all, and hugs all round.x
tho i`m not young - 49 this year i did pick up something charlotte said , i am convinced my tumour - ( oestrogen fed ) was caused by a knock at work to my breast , aa bruise that could not go a mm either way was over my tumour site for a while prior to my diagnosis , it was a few months before diagnosis and my tumour was a tiny 6mm , my mom fell in garden onto her back and died of lung cancer ,i was there when my dad fell onto his stomach , 12 months later diagnosed with stomach cancer and an on onc who said his tumour had been growing for bout 12 months , these are only 2 of a few that i know of where someone has taken a knock or bump and ended up with tumours on the injured spot , coincidence maybe but i dont think so to be honest xx
Not sure, Trish - could be a series of coincidences.
I have had very many violent accidental injuries to my back, legs, knees; but the cancer was in my breast - never been hurt there.
Another coincidence here then. I have a cup of tea in bed everymorning whilst i answer my mail on my laptap. I rest the cup on my breast, the corner digs in a bit exactly where my lump is. It has been brouhgt home to me because i automatically go to put my cup there now and have to refrain from doing so because of wound.
i was 34 when i was dx, my tumour was 100%+ for both hormones, my bcn said my cancer was probably caused by my 2nd pregnancy and year and a half earlier.
Hi All I think we all beat ourselves up as to WHY we got this dam thing, I know I do I often wonder if id done this or not done that then like what has already been said you see many live unhealthy lifestyles & live well into old age ? it is a mystery & one that makes you wonder if we will ever really know the true reasons.
Im not so young 45 but not old either yet its one thing I hate about being at the breast clinic when I see very young girls barely in their 20’s & I really find this hard especually when they have young babies children or Pregnant that just fills my brain with so many questions as to WHY ? one thing for sure it can be a cruel desease & doesn’t seem to have any rules or predudice just strikes one in every four women at some time of her life & it dont care WHO
I was 32 with no family history. i often wondered if it was the amount of alcohol i drank in my uni years and the fact i was a tad chubbby. I now believe things happen and sometimes we cant really see why but we have to survive it, move on and try to bloody forget it!
I am 2yrs on and i dont think about it as much but i do unforunatly sometmes still shed a tear and wonder why me?!