Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi Marfromessex, These borderline decisions can be such a pain as inevitably, 'what if?' creeps in. I had a small invasive bc, so I am taking tamoxifen, but it was clearly recommended for me. If I was in your position, I would quite likely make the same decision if there is no evidence of micro-invasion & the oncologist was leaving it up to me. You will do what's best for you. ann x   ... View more

Hi Bluebellrebel, Sorry to hear you have this wait, it certainly doesn't help with the anxiety. At the breast clinic, you will be examined by the Dr, who will do an ultrasound. They do scan the nodes in the armpit & a biopsy will be taken if needed. A mammogram is normally done as well & if there is an area in the breast where it's not clear what it is, then a biopsy is taken. Although the anxiety is difficult, the important thing is they are being thorough & it's right they are checking out the breast as well.  If you want to, do let us know how you get on. ann x ... View more

Hi Wonky, How about a tour? South east Asia’s fascinating. Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Laos - loads to see, good deals, safe & never had to bother with jabs or malarial meds. I’m on tamox & never had a problem, but was aware of the higher blood clotting risk on long haul, so made sure I drank plenty of fluids & moved around.  ann x ... View more

Hi Patriciamay, Good to see you again, even if you’d rather not be here, of course.  Sorry to hear about the letrazole. I must admit, I didn’t switch to AIs as tamox is ok with me & tbh, I didn’t like the sound of it, especially as I’d had an early bc diagnosis. When I looked into it, for me, there wasn’t much difference in clinical outcomes, so I decided if it’s not broke then don’t fix it.  As ever, these decisions aren’t easy as the ‘what ifs’ play on the mind. What does Predict say?  Is tamox an option? As ever, you’ll make the best decision for you.  ann x     ... View more

Hi Ivy, Sorry to hear you’re joining us, but thank goodness it can now be dealt with & the sooner the better.  You’re right, it can be an emotional rollercoaster, some days you’ll feel invincible & others you will want to hide under the duvet. It can help to deal with the whole thing by taking it an appointment at a time & to try not to get into the ‘what ifs.’   Do have a look at the rest of the forum & there is the helpline here of you want to talk things through.  ann x ... View more

Hi Leonie, Probably not much help with your question, but I had rads following wle 3 years ago & haven’t had any long term side effects that I am aware of. After the initial redness & some soreness, my boob looked & felt pretty much as it usually did a few weeks after treatment was completed.  ann x ... View more

Hi Anna, A warm welcome to the club we wouldn’t want to be in, but glad you found us.  There are quite a few others here in a similar position to yourself, so you’re certainly not alone. Getting diagnosed is a huge shock & what you describe is common to all of us here.  Do look at the ‘going through treatment’ thread where you’ll find the monthly chemo threads & will be able chat & get support from others where you are now, as well as those further down the road.  You will find that you’ll get views & opinions from others, who although well meaning, do not necessarily appreciate what it’s about, but we ‘get it’ here & between us, have been through everything that bc can throw at us.  Do come & chat or vent whenever you need to.   ann x ... View more

Hi Oldspice, Sometimes it's the luck of the draw who you speak to! Health professionals are not necessarily consistent in approach. I would have thought that if you've done 5 years & you're ok with any risk, then it's up to you what you do. I'm the same age as you & also had an early diagnosis. I did have the option of going onto anastrazole, but decided to stay with tamox as I'm ok on it & for me clinically, it didn't make much difference. Both the onc & surgeon were happy with this.  Obviously, you will make the decision that's right for you & you don't have to do anything you don't want to. ann x   ... View more

Hi Mumma2be, So sorry to see you find yourself here, but glad you've found us. You are not alone with this, there are others here of a similar age to you with small children, who will hopefully be along soon. Do have a look at the 'going through treatment' thread, where  you'll find the monthly chemo threads & the one for 'younger women & families.' If you need to talk things through, there is also the helpline here. So good to hear the baby is well & the important thing is, you are now in treatment to get it dealt with. Sending hugs ann x   ... View more

Hi MKH, I enjoy wine too, but I no longer worry about enjoying a glass of wine & especially on hols! It's fine to know about increased risk & you've done all the research you need to, but we can also just make a judgment about doing what we're comfortable with. I remember my surgeon saying 'don't worry, teetotallers get cancer too' & the onc said 'to not gain weight & any alcohol in moderation.'   Obviously, you're active & of healthy weight, so that's just as important, if not more so, however, just because there maybe an increased risk, it doesn't mean it's going to happen. Most who are overweight &/or drink alcohol, do not get cancer anyway. Obviously, it's good to look at any lifestyle issues after bc & address these as necessary, using guidance & advice to help in making decisions, but to not feel dictated to by it.  I'm 3 years down the line now & don't worry about it any more. I've decided what I'm comfortable with & am just getting on with it. Cheers 🥂 !!! ann x   ... View more

Hi Steph, You're certainly not over reacting & of course, you are sensitised from your sister's experience, but use it go to your GP to get it checked out. As you say, most breast changes turn out to be nothing serious, but only the GP/Breast Clinic can sort it out for you. ann x   ... View more

First of all, welcome Masilira, although, you'd rather not be here of course. What you describe is common to most of us, as getting a bc diagnosis is a shock & among other feelings, it can feel like it's happening to someone else. In the early days of diagnosis, it can help just to go with it, take it an appointment at a time & try not to get into the 'what ifs.' It sounds like you need more info first on what's recommended for you. There's plenty of time to make decisions, so do make a list of things you want clarified at the next appointment. It's the shock of diagnosis & uncertainty that's hard to handle initially, but honestly, this does settle down when your treatment plan is in place & you know where you're going with it. Between us all here, we've been through everything that bc can throw at us, so do use the forum for any support you need. ann x           ... View more

Hi Amber, Just to say, the evidence suggests that obesity increases the risk of cancer, but is not directly causal, otherwise, anyone who is overweight (or for that matter, who drinks a load of fizzy drinks) would get cancer, but this does not happen.  Conversely, cancer also occurs in those who are young, fit & of healthy weight, although, of course, the incidence is lower. As ever, just getting older, is the major risk factor & we can’t do anything about that! Obviously, a healthy lifestyle helps & is a good thing to do, as many of us do after a bc diagnosis.  ann x   ... View more

Welcome Pinkflamingo, even it's not a place we thought we'd ever be. There's loads of support here & between us, we've been through everything bc can throw at us. It certainly does feel like a conveyor belt & it's a lot to get your head around, but the good ol' NHS hauls us through. When you start treatment, do look at the 'going through treatment' board, where you will find the monthly chemo threads to chat with others going through similar & further down the line. Although getting diagnosed is a shock, the most important thing is, it can now be dealt with. Do come & chat or vent whenever you need to ann x ... View more

Hi Evie, I had an early mammo diagnosis & was peri-menopausal at diagnosis, hence tamox, with the option of anastrazole after menopause. In my case, according to NICE guidelines there was not a lot of difference in outcomes, although AIs are technically more effective, post meno.  As I’m fine in tamox & like that it is protective of bones, the onc & surgeon were happy for me to stay on it.  Hope this helps ann x ... View more

Hi Susie, I remember being very anxious about tamoxifen, especially after reading experiences on here as obviously, those having issues will post for support. However, there are also those of us who are fine on it or find any side effects manageable, but it doesn't tend to get reported if it's not causing a problem.  Obviously, it is effective in preventing recurrence, around 50%, I believe, so worth doing if you can. I have had some minor hair thinning, but it's not noticeable, my weight has remained stable & I feel fine. You never know, you maybe ok on it, just see how you go & if any issues arise, then deal with it then. Wishing you well with it. ann x ... View more

Just to say, WolfEE, I'm on tamoxifen without any major issues. I did have the option to go onto anastrazole, but stayed on tamox, as it did not make much clinical difference in my case. I also like that tamox is protective of bones when post menopause. So my feelings were, it it 'aint broke then don't fix it!' Inevitably, those having problems will report it, but there's also many of us who are tolerating it just fine or find any side effects manageable. It might well be ok anyway & if there's any issues, then deal with it then. Wishing you well with it ann x   ... View more

Hi Sunnyrainbow, It’s quite right you’ve been referred, as any breast change should be properly investigated & only the clinic can get to the bottom of it.  If it’s not clear what it is, then usual practice is to take a biopsy of the area & the results take a week or two to come back.  It could well be a ‘duct,’ most breast changes turn out to be nothing serious.  Hopefully all’s well, it usually is, but the most important thing is it will now be checked out.  ann x ... View more

Hi Karen, Mostly any breast change turns out to be nothing serious, including what you describe, but the most important thing is you've done all you need to in getting it checked out. Obviously, if you go privately that's down to you & although waiting for appointments is stressful, it will get sorted out before long. Let us know how you get on. ann x ... View more