Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lindiloo During the past 2 and half years, I think I have exhausted all sites relating to breast cancer but I will try the site you have mentioned. Thanks for acknowleging my response. You will have to forgive me as I tend to get carried away sometimes. I may come accross as cynical about the cancer industry and the charities but it does make you think. Hi Ajaytee I was 55 years old when I was diagnosed with tnbc, so younger than you. You are right the vast majority of info written on tnbc tends to focus on younger women developinng this particular type of bc. My onc did not appear too concerned when I questioned him about my tn status. For example I was not offered chemo as this was considered overtreatment as my cancer was less than 1cm grade 2 with no lymph or vascular involvment. Yet I have read that regardless of size triple negative should always be treated with chemo. Now that I am approaching the third year of this disease I am feeling a little scared to say the least Thanks to all who responded to me. ... View more

Hi ladies Since being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer two and half years ago (the more sinister type of bc with low survival rate etc.,) I have trawled the internet on things linking breast cancer to diet; being over weight; western life style; not breast feeding our infants etc., I always think of Linda McCartney. She was one of wealthiest, and judging by her sensible eating food range, one of the healthiest individuals I can think of, yet breast cancer still claimed her life. On the other hand, genetics could hold the key, but how far in the future are we looking in terms of a cure? In the meantime we should look at the bigger picture and consider the millions of pounds donated to cancer charities over the years, not to mention the drugs companies who will never lose out all the time cancer is treatable but never cured. Sorry I used to get the two confused, treatable and cure, two totally different things. ... View more

Hi to all triple negs It is approx two & half years since being diagnosed with tnbc (early stage) yet I feel more anxious about this disease now than ever before. Whilst it is always encouraging to hear from those ladies who have survived three years plus with tn breast cancer, all the research confirms that it still has a high relapse rate within the first 3 years. I know cancer care sites like this one are good, and act as a vehicle for support, but on darker days I can't help thinking that care is the only thing that can ever be on offer as a cure for cancer in general seems to be as far away as ever. Sorry folks. ... View more

hello Anna I fully understand where you are coming from, I do think we should have the best in terms of preventing and curing breast cancer, but those who make these decisions are largly influenced by the amount of money available and on how they prioritise the treatment of cancer in general. Whilst I do not necessarily agree with Prof MB's views on the use of mammos per sa, his comments have definately challenged my own views on their use. I was diagnosed two & half years ago with grade 2 triple negative tumour (less than one centimeter no node or vascular invasion) which I found myself. There is no back up treatment for triple negative and I wish there was some form of targeted treatment but as yet there is not. But I suppose in the absence of a cure for breast cancer, prevention is really the only way forward and if this means regular yearly mammos with modern machines then this is perhaps the only way forward. Like I said before, my was an interval cancer and feel very let down by the NHS 3 yearly screening programme. ... View more

Hi Janette Sorry for the delay in responding to you last night. I understand that the emphasis on this conference was to try and put accross as many views on breast cancer and it's detection as possible. These views came from clinicians, community nurses, patients and of course Prof Michael Baum. Some ladies in the audience spoke about bad experiences when being called for their mammo, and were not given enough information on the procedure involved etc., Rather than educating them about breast cancer, the whole breast cancer screening procedure tended to fuel fear amongst women. I can only compare this idea to the fear of crime. Fear tends to be very destructive to individuals and communities rather than actually being a victim of crime. Yes Janette, mammogrammes are picking cancers up earlier but this in itself is not having an impact on reducing the death rate. This was one of the main points Prof MB put accross at the conference. He claims that more investment should be put into treatment rather than screening. The former I fully agree with but I still feel that if a mammo can pick up dcis then it is doing a good job, however if it is missing invasive tumours then I think it is time to go back to the drawing board on screening for this sh....t disease. Sorry, I tend to get carried away sometimes. ... View more

I attended a confrence in London this year headed by Professor Michael Baum. The aim of this confrence was to put breast cancer into perspective. Prof. MB made sevral valid points such as: most women in the UK will not experience breast cancer in their entire life time; more should be done to allay the fear of developing breast cancer; mammos do not save lives; there has been very little change in the death rate since the introduction of the screening programme over 20 years ago; He also commented that more women with DCIS were being overtreated as a result of the screening programme. His comments about overtreating breast cancer did evoke a heated response from the audience. The overwhelming view I got was that most women who had been treated for invasive breast cancer of would rather have risked overtreatment for DCIS and be around to tell the tale to their grandchildren, than to die an early death. If it were not for the early screening and treatment of cervical cancer (pre-cancer cells) then there would be more deaths from this disease. ... View more

Hi Janette Read your comments re mammos. I fully understand your situation and wonder are there any other women like us 50 plus who feel that they too have been let down by the NHS 3 yearly breast screening programme. It would be intersting to carry out some research on interval breast cancers. While mammos are not ideal for screening younger women (breast density etc.,) they are the only tool available on the NHS. They could at least use modern equipment and carry them out yearly instead of three yearly. The only reason I say this is that if breast cancer is detected at the DCIS stage 0, it has not learnt how to invaid the breast tissue and is therefore more likely to be cured. Some may not agree with this but I feel this is a very valid point ... View more

I attended my first screening mammogramme in 2005 aged 52 the results came back clear no evidence of cancer. In July 2008 aged 55, I discovered a pea sized lump in my left breast. This turned out to be an invasive breast cancer, only small, less than one centimeter grade 2 triple negative with no node or vascular invasion. Treatment was surgery and radiotherapy. When breast cancers appear during the screening periods (as mine did comming up to the third year) they are known as interval cancers. For this reason I do not trust the mammogramme as a diagnostic tool, especially those used in mobile units which tend use old microfilm, unlike the digital machines used in the breast units in hospitals. Also I think the three yearly screening offered to women over 50 by the NHS is too long to wait. I believe that if a yearly mammogramme would have been offered to me my cancer would have been picked up at the DCIS stage which is non-invasive. I have always been breast aware but feel that the NHS 3 yearly breast sceening programme let me down. ... View more

Hi moomintroll I was immediately attracted to your posting, I am always saddened by any related death to breast cancer, but on a lighter note my daughter always calls me 'moomintroll' you are the first person I have come accross with this very cute name. Sorry I have drifted from the topic of conversation which is very rare for me these days. ... View more

I am two years into my diagnosis of bc and find myself in a similar dilemma on whether or not to have a yearly mammogramme. My bc was an interval cancer, a cancer which appeared within the 3 year screening period. But how is this for a contradition of views in the medical profession, when I asked the onc about yearly mammos for the over 50's as I believe that my cancer would have had a greater chance of being picked up at the dcis stage, he added that a yearly mammo would put many women at risk of over exposure, yet this appears to be ok for women who have already had bc to be exposed yearly. This does not make sense to me. Professor Michael Baumm believes that mammos are picking up more and more cancers early but they do not save lives and they do not change the outcome. The more I learn about this disease the more I am doubting the usefulness of the mammo as a tool of diagnosis. ... View more

Thanks to you all for your encouraging comments. I am seeing my gp tomorrow. Still have a nagging ache in left side of abdomen but everything else oK. I know it has been two years since my diagnosis but I cannot help yearning for the life I had before bc. I am sure we all think the same. Cheers ... View more

Hi gingerbud Thankyou so much for your response. Sooo scared so very scared that I may have another unrelated cancer developing in my body. I will return to the GP on Friday, he did seem to be concerned when he examined me which made me feel even more anxious. Thanks again Tina for your response it was most appreciated. ... View more

Hi I would be so greatful for any comments on my current situation. I am 57 and into my second year of diagnosis for tnbc. For the past couple of weeks I have developed pain in left side of abdomen with bowel habits ranging from normal to constipation. Have been to gp who examined me and prescribed medication but said he would like to see me in one week. My immediate concern was that my bc had spread to my bowel, but gp said that this would be an unlikey site for bc mets. While trying hard to put fear of return of bc to back of my mind, a dreadful thought has come into my head. My symptoms are so likened to bowel cancer. Could I be so unlucky to have developed another cancer in my body? I am absolutely stressing out. PS I had small tumour no nodes etc., surgery and radio, chemo considered over treatment by the oncologist. ... View more

Hi Katie It was exactly two years ago yesterday that I had my breast tumour removed. It was 7.5mm less than one centemetre, Triple neg grade 2 no nodes. In the early hours of yesterday morning I woke up with a dull ache in top of my right thigh. Like you I am fearing the worst, over the weekend period too. I intend to ring my oncologist secretary first thing monday morning. I am now 57 and I have had two years symptom free and feel very scared that it has now returned. Take care ... View more

I am strongly opposed to the governments plans for giving greater powers to the gps over patient treatment and care. As a cancer patient I feel even more vulnerable. It is all about ideaology and how systems and institutions should operate in society. I can't help but remember my days at university when we discussed Darwins theory of the survival of the fitest. Conservative ideology fits nicely into this theory. It is very scary to think that if there is no immanent cure for cancers like breast cancer, then this may greatly influence the gp's decisionin terms of how he/she prioritises his/her budget and what he/she should spend it on. David Cameron did use the term 'clinical outcome' when he was pressed about the two week referral to a specialist. If by this he means death rate from cancers such as breast cancer, then I am really scared, as unfortunately the death rate from this disease has not altered significantly in recent years. According to Breakthrough Cancer Research the mortality rate still stands at 12,000 per year. No real evidence of a breakthrough here. ... View more

Thank you so much stillstanding for putting the dcis versus the invasive breast cancer debate into perspective. There is a BIG BIG difference between the two. If only I could have put the same point across in a more articulate way instead of upsetting people. ... View more

Hellow Marjay12 I am so sorry if I have upset you and to hear of your particular experience with DCIS. This is the last thing I would want to do. I tend to lash out now and again, and perhaps I do not have the best way of expressing how I feel. It is coming up to two years since my own diagnosis of tnbc and the thought of a reoccurance frightens the sh....t out of me. However, in the main, there is a vast amount of medical evidence out there that strongly supports the view that dcis does have a far better prognosis than invasive breast cancer. Once again this is not to trivialise any women diagnosed with this pre-cancerous condition. The way the media cover stories of celebs with a breast diagnosis does not help as it continues to fuel so many mythes about this disease which still kills so many women every year. Take Care ... View more

With media reports of celebs with bc and how they have beaten the disease it is no wonder that many women believe that breast cancer is no longer a killer. I do think the media has a responsibility to educate and inform, but many newspapers are only interested in sals, the 'truth' rarely comes into it. ... View more

I think it is vital that the reporting of breast cancer especially amongst the celeb community is accurate, and yet it appears far from it. You only have to google celeb and dcis and the list grows each day of those celebs who claim to have beaten breast cancer only to discover that they were diagnosed at a pre-cancer stage. There is a massive difference between a tiny morsal of DCIS and an invasive tumour, it is the difference between life and death. I think giving prime time to the likes of Martina N is very irresponsible. Medical evidence strongly suggests that the death rate from this disease has remained virtually unchanged in the last 20 years, yet there are many uninformed people out there who believe that breast cancer is curable. ... View more

You are certainly not being over senstive. There are many celebs out there who claim they have experienced breast cancer which has turned out to be DCIS. Christina Applegate Cheryl Crow Diane Moran Carly Simlon and now Martina Navratalova. This information is totally misleading. Medical evidence suggests that the majority of women who have been diagnosed with dcis will survive and will not go on to develop invasive disease. I only wish I had been diagnosed with dcis. ... View more