Breast Cancer Now Forum

Tamoxifen can cause the womb lining to thicken so please don’t assume it’s something more sinister than it is, I know that’s easier said than done but many women have these symptoms while they are taking it, my experience was similar to yours, no periods initially but they returned irregular and so heavy, often going on for weeks and varying shades of brown and red! I had other issues with my joints which led me to stop taking it after almost 3 years and although I didn’t have any investigations on my womb that was over 2 years ago and things have returned to normal now.  Heres hoping you get some reassurance on Monday and can get back to enjoying Christmas Xx  ... View more

Yes all gel needs to be removed for surgery, can’t even have clear. I had a knee replacement last week and had to take it all off again, it’s gone back on today though! Good luck to your friend Xx  ... View more

So very saddened today to read this news, taken so suddenly it’s just tragic. Her little Grandchild was born around the same time as mine and I remember us saying how blessed we felt to be here for them. Please pass on our heartfelt condolences to her family 💖 ... View more

Hi ladies,  Just wanted to say I’m 4.5 years on and still get pain in my treated breast, it’s all normal especially after radiotherapy, mine flares up and down as do my ribs. I’ve recently had my 4th all clear mammogram so onwards and upwards! Xx  ... View more

It could absolutely be harmless, lumps come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes there is no obvious lump. Get it checked out as soon as you can will always be our advice, stay away from google , easier said than done we all know but it won’t do you any favours and can tell you nothing at this stage. Try not to over think, see the Dr and take things from there X  ... View more

Hi Ladies, I stopped Tamoxifen after 2.5 years as my joints were so bad I could barely move, the pain and stiffness did ease initially but I continued to have issues with my knees and now 2 years on I have advanced arthritis and now am needing both of them replacing , the first in October. Who knows if I would have been in this boat without Tamoxifen but having had no issues prior it does make me feel it’s played a part, it’s not an easy decision to make and I will always have an element of what if niggling at me but it was right for me at the time Xx  ... View more

Hi Wonky, totally normal response and often as Ann says once treatment is over and we are expected to just get on with life we find ourselves trying to come to terms with what the hell has just happened to us! I’m 4 years on now and cancer is pretty much something that is in my past but it takes a while to get to that mind set, I made the decision quite early on to focus on what I had to look forward to, I’ve experienced so many major events since my diagnosis, both my sons marrying, buying their first homes and giving us grandchildren, one here and one on the way, the absolute joy of our lives!  I never take for granted what I could have missed out on of course but I’m here and I’m enjoying every second of the life I am lucky enough to have so I don’t dwell I just embrace it all!  My point is you never forget but you can move on and have a new found appreciation of everything Xx Jo  ... View more

Good for you Kip! You shove those gremlins back in the box where they belong 👊🏻👊🏻 Xxx ... View more

I’m honoured that you use it Evie! Was lovely to see my name pop up,  I’m not on here as much these days but always check in now and then and it really made my day that I’m still helping others even when I’m not actively posting 😍 I’m doing really well thank you, keeping busy with my little granddaughter and have another due in Nov ♥️ So much to be thankful for Xx  ... View more

Lovely to hear my post back then is still helping you now ♥️ I stand by every word and live my life to the full without feeling I always need to be looking over my shoulder, of course the nasty little gremlin will poke his head out of the box every now and then but I just say not today mate and snap the lid shut! Xx  ... View more

Millie I have to agree that the changes have not been for the better, such a shame as it was an easy lay out and very user friendly and I would pop on daily and help out when here I could but it’s such hard work to navigate around the site now that I rarely do 😕  ... View more

Great news! Thank you for coming back to let us know, enjoy those cuddles and lots of fun with your little boys!  X  ... View more

Hiya,  I’m sorry you have this hanging over you and especially with little ones to try and keep normal around, it was hard enough for me and mine were grown ups. You’ve done all the right things and today is just another hurdle to get through, the chances of walking away with the all clear are high but whatever happens you will be treated kindly and with compassion at the clinic, they aim to try and give you answers today but if a biopsy is needed then it will be a week or so wait, a biopsy does not mean they think it is cancer just that they can’t 100% tell you right now that it isn’t and they won’t let you go away with an all clear if they can’t say for certain.    Weve all been been through it here and have plenty of support and experience between us if you need to come back, all the best Xx  ... View more

Keep paddling Carolyn this boat isn’t ready to sink just yet! 🚣🏼‍♂️🚣‍♀️🚣‍♀️🚣‍♀️ You show them girl! 💪🏻💪🏻 😘😘😘😘 ... View more

Carolyn sending you all the love in the world ❤️❤️ Words fail me right now 💔 ... View more

Hi,  There is no easy way to wait on biopsy results, it’s the most stressful part in all of this.  Just try to keep your days as normal and full as possible and keep reminding yourself that worry changes nothing, whatever is happening is happening and no amount of stressing over the what ifs will change that. That’s been a lesson hard learned!  Our brains don’t cope well with all the uncertainty and in my case the minute I knew it was cancer I felt so much better in a strange way, the not knowing was brutal.   Dont give up hope that all will be well, they don’t always know by just looking and many ladies have been back to report a benign result when having been told the opposite was likely initially, please let us know how you get on X Jo  ... View more

It’s natural as a mum to want to shield our children from pain no matter what age they are but there are times like this when it’s out of our control and that is the worst feeling as your powerless to take this away from her.  You can help her by getting yourself as clued up as you can on all things breast cancer,it’s so much less frightening when you fully understand the process and the reasons why she is having to do this.  Take control of all the practical things that you can do for her while she is going through treatment and remind her this is a blip and you will all get through it one step at a time.    Its all consuming while you are in the midst of it but times passes by so fast and you do come out the other side, I’m 4 years post diagnosis next month and can barely believe where the time has gone!    Rage as as much as you need to but this stage will pass and an acceptance of the situation creeps up on you all, dig deep she needs you X      ... View more

Hi, It’s normal to get on going rib pain after radiotherapy, it does vary and mine comes and goes but even 4 years on I still get flare ups. Of course if your concerned get yourself checked out but certainly in my experience it’s all normal and many ladies here have said the same Xx  ... View more

I’m due my 4th annual post diagnosis mammogram in March so will see if I get called then if things have changed recently, I’m not overly worried now as I’m 4 years on but I think in the early days I wouldn’t have been happy being left for 18-24 months X  ... View more

It’s good you have an ultrasound booked, Mammograms are not always helpful in younger women, I was 46 when diagnosed and mine was clear because I have mixed density tissue and my cancer was very small so it couldn’t be seen. It was found by Ultrasound. Have you been referred to a breast clinic? They tend to do mammograms as well as part of their tests so you are likely to get one anyway Xx     ... View more