Diagnosed but not given stage

[Chick1]

Hello again Jo, 

Yes it is uncommon in your age group, but you are not alone.  It must be such a scary time for you at the moment.  I hope you have got appropriate support.  There is a section for younger women on this forum called Younger women and families. Also don't hesitate to contact the Breast Cancer Care site and find out about the "someone like me Service" that is available.  I think there is a very active facebook site for younger women with breast cancer. 

Returning to the Staging question,  my staging was done by the TMN system rather than the 1,2,3,4 system.  On saying that, I could still ascertain it was classed as stage 2.  I think when most people think of staging,  they may just think of the number system so maybe it is the number type system that is being less used.  However if medics do not use any type of staging at the moment then that would not really make sense at all for anyone.  So if you really wanted more details in addition to grade,  then I suppose you could ask about the size,  location and other details such as type of cancer, hormone and other status. 

Anyway Jo, I really wish you all the best with your treatment.  There are Chemo groups in the Going Through Treatment section which you can join and share with others going through treatment at the same time as well as well lots of other resources such as the free phone support and information booklets etc. 

Take care Jo, 

Chick 🐣 x

[Jo89]

Thank you just a worry not knowing I am only 30 and they said it is uncommon on someone my age 

[Chick1]

Hello Jo, 

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.   As far as I knew they still do stage  breast cancer.  My understanding is it relates to size and location of the cancer.  I have attached a link to the Cancer Research UK site for your info. I am sure if you also do a search  on the Breast Cancer Care main site,  you will also find info.  It is possible that they are not clear about the stage yet if you have not gone through the entire diagnostic procedure. Stage and grade can also change after surgery, and can be up or down staged and graded. 

https://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/stages-types-grades/about-breas...

Best wishes to you, 

Chick 🐣 x

[Jaybro]

Hi Jo and Ruthie

I’m sorry you’re facing this situation. Everything about it is worrying and one anxiety heaps on another. It’s a natural response to the threat.

I was told that the stage isn’t an indicator breast surgeons and oncologists use/share any longer. I know my hospital, which is a regional centre of excellence, doesn’t - I had information about the grade of each tumour and indicators of its behaviour and predictions from that but was not told the stage of the cancer. To be honest, I think this is preferable - recovery rates are so good now and I would have been even more worried if I’d known it was anything but stage 1, which it obviously was. I didn't even absorb most of what they told me - I didn't choose to know. So it looks like it’s your hospital’s policy and they may have given you the information in another form (as in my case). I’d suggest you ring your breastcare nurse (the department in your case Ruthie) and ask for an explanation to ease your anxiety. 

Good luck to you both

Jan x

[ruthie2]

Hi I was diagnosed in May with 3 out of 4 nodes involved, haven’t had a single scan at all and haven’t been given a stage either, just a grade. I don’t have a breast care nurse to ask but perhaps if you do you could ask them?

sorry not if any use at all!

[Jo89]

Hi I have diagnosed 2 weeks ago had ultrasound mammogram biopsy and MRI have been told a will be starting chemo just waiting for a ct scan first. I am worried because I havnt been told a stage when I asked the doctor she said they dont do stages for breast cancer I am confused