Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi there, I totally get what you’re saying.  I’m a year on from diagnosis and I’ve had some issues that I’ve been very concerned about.  Lots of hip pain and a hard lump upper outer area where I had my mastectomy. My breast care nurse seems uninterested and said both things are “unlikely to be anything sinister”!  My GP realised how worried I was and eventually sent me for a pelvic standard x-ray which turned out ok.  Even then he said an MRI isn’t needed and sent me to the practice physio. The lump has been felt by a breast care nurse and she said it’s a normal gland.  Pardon me for being worried that there is a raised gland where I had my mastectomy.  I asked her what if it’s spread and she responded it won’t have as I had clear margins.  In my mind how can they be that sure by just feeling it?! Frankly I give up.  I’m working hard to overcome the trauma of a breast cancer diagnosis and fear of recurrence, it’s hard.  I’ve resigned myself to saving up for a private scan this summer, especially to check if I’ve got any lobular cancer in my remaining breast (latest mammogram clear, but I’ve got dense breasts).  Last Spring after my mastectomy they found LCIS incidentally which hadn’t been picked up in my original biopsies.   I think it’s an absolute disgrace that they are playing Russian roulette with our health and presume far too much frankly.  After a cancer diagnosis we should be offered scans every year for 5 years.  It’s all down to cost of course. Thanks for your responses and thoughts everyone.  Means a lot. Frances ... View more

Thank you Jan.  I will certainly read this. Frances x ... View more

Hi Jan, I’m sorry to find you here.  Thankyou for your wise words; they did resonate with me and yes, I feel anxiety is rising.  I am going to talk to someone. This experience we have is trauma.  Everyone thought I coped because I was busy with my family and moving house.  Even I patted myself on the back, I’ve got this.  Then it hits, a few weeks/months later, when they’ve sent you on your way.  All the fear and trauma I blocked out getting through it I suspect is hitting home now.   I lost a bit of trust in my team as I felt things had been missed and I had to ask for my mammograms to be re-read.   I didn’t have radiotherapy, Chemo, or even see an oncologist.  Just mastectomy and Tamoxifen for now.  I know I should feel lucky, but I don’t.  I felt scans would help me to move on. I wish you all the best with your recovery. Frances xx   ... View more

Hello Evie, Thanks for your reply and welcome.  Much appreciated.  Sorry to find you on here too! I think because my overage staging was 1 and I didn’t have any lymph or vascular involvement, strongly oestrogen + buy HER2 - they’re saying MRI not needed.  My surgeon only took one sentinel node out. My anxiety stems from the fact that I’ve had numerous mammograms over the last 5 years and I’ve been recalled every time!  They had another look at me and then sent me on my merry way.  All clear apparently only 2 years ago.  What were they seeing to justify the recalls?  They never told me.  Now, it’s been suggested I may have an interval cancer that has popped up between screening.  Personally I think it’s more likely that the calcifications were there 2 years ago but we’re missed.  I have dense breasts.  They even told me they’d had new and more accurate scanners since then which didn’t reassure me! I was due lumpectomy originally for IDC, then 2 days before my op they phone me up saying they’d found another area.  I couldn’t believe it and after all those mammograms too!  Anyhow I went on to have the mastectomy but it’s all left me with severe anxiety.  Apparently I should be so grateful that I’m low grade and stage, but I’m worried they’ve missed things.  I wasn’t even told that LCIS was found post op and I found out when I asked for a copy of the report from the pathologist. After LCIS was found I felt certain they would offer me an MRI but nope! Not sure what to do or whether to make a complaint.  I’m just so worried.   ... View more

Hi there, I’m new to the forum.  I’m 13 weeks post mastectomy. Diagnosed grade 1 IDC and 0 Grade DCIS.  LCIS was also found in the post op histology.  I’ve had no further treatment apart from Tamoxifen.  I really wanted to have an MRI but I’ve never had one.  My nurse said I won’t get one even though I’ve asked. It seems that scans are standard for some people.  Why is this?  Does it depend on the staging?  My mammogram was clear 2 years ago and I’m convinced my calcifications were missed as I have dense breasts.  I’m full of anxiety about whether everything is gone.  My surgeon left quite a lot of skin.  How can I be sure there isn’t any breast tissue still in there and potentially calcifications.  I didn’t have a lump?  In fact how can they even be sure unless I have a scan post mastectomy?   I told my nurse I’m thinking of paying for a private scan but she said why do that when it’s not needed!  I’d still like to get an MRI for peace of mind.  I’m also concerned about lobular in my remaining breast. Any thoughts would be welcome.  Thanks. ... View more