Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm 49 so I don't fit into the young or old group!   My Mum had breast cancer at 60 and it returned later. Both my Grandmas had it at much greater ages and although this family history was considered to justify early monitoring the policy changed and 3 years ago I was discharged.   So here I am 3 years later being treated for DCIS and ER- HER2+ IDC whilst my Mum is being treated for ER+ secondary BC. Two different BCs.   From reading and discussion, I understand that all people have cancer cells in their bodies. The cell DNA is damaged by environmental factors and pollutants but in some people the immune system stops the cancer cells from proliferating and in others it doesn't. I've read variously that it's diet (Western diets have the wrong balance of fats and sugars), it's alcohol, it's stress, it's basically anything that damages your immune system that allows cancer to develop.    If 1 in 2 people in the uk are going to have cancer in their lifetime then in the end perhaps it's just life that's bad for your health?!     All the best xxx ... View more

Hi Sunstar, please don't feel stupid. You are quite entitled to feel upset after getting such news and now having to wait for results. Take care of yourself and I would recommend ringing the helpline if you think talking to someone who understands how you are feeling will help. I'm not familiar with your potential diagnosis (I've had DCIS and IDC). Hopefully someone who knows more about papilloma will see your post soon. Wishing you all the best with your results on 20th. X  ... View more

Thanks for that. Thought it was good. I've seen other programs which have "scientifically" demonstrated that extra virgin olive oil is by far the best oil for your health. Can't remember why! Maybe there's not much in it? Now butter is back in vogue again and cholesterol reducing hydrogenated margarine is out. Maybe a small bit of everything is the way to go?!   I saw the "Truth about alcohol" and they said the only health benefit to be derived from alcohol is 5 units per week in women under 55 (not men!) and that there are more flavenoids (antioxidants?) in 25g of walnuts than a large glass of red wine. So the "Truth about Healthy Eating" suggested we didn't need antioxidant boosts anyway. Still alcohol has been part of the British diet for centuries so it can't be all bad. I think it used to be the best way to sterilise water in past times. But in malmsey swigging Tudor times they rarely lived beyond 50. Perhaps we should be concentrating more on measuring the impact of relaxation, fun and social interaction on our health? Might not be much fun for the control group though!    Perhaps the only real thing that makes a difference is what you believe will make a difference, like Noel Edmonds with his electromagnetic box this morning? Interesting.. X     ... View more

Hi sonyacheet,   I imagine you are taking quite a lot on board already and I wish you all the best with your chemo. I didn't fast so can't advise you on the merits of fasting during chemo. Obviously it worked for the lady in the article but someone else told me they got through on ice lollies. For me it was fruit teas! I hope you will find what works for you best.   I went to a nutrition talk at the local cancer support centre before I started chemo and they recommended (not specifically for chemo) a balanced diet, at least half of which should be vegetables. I found sticking to that and the other principles they put forward gave me some control back whilst my life was being ruled by my treatment program. BCC have a good recipie book as do the Royal Marsden which pack in some of the foodstuffs like ginger and turmeric which are thought to promote good health.   I'm afraid I'm not sticking to the balanced diet quite so well now and I am back on the wine and chocolate! I don't believe there is one right way to go but that we should try our best to listen to our bodies and what they need as much as possible. For some people that might be fasting, for others it might be eating whenever they feel like it. I hope you find the best way forward for you X   ... View more

Thank you, uplifting. X ... View more

Lactulose worked really well for me. Used one dose two or three days after each chemo and wished I'd known about it for after surgery. You need to drink plenty of water. I think it works by drawing water into the gut whereas other brands bulk you up with cellulose. A pharmacist might be able to advise better. X ... View more

Hi LaLa, I'm glad you've found something comfortable. Thanks for sharing that; I will be looking it up :). I had a fitting this week at John Lewis and they had one wireless bra which was suitable (Royce) but it only comes in white. I thought I'd be able to get a black bra 😞 The new bra feels very tight after the surgical bra and the assistant advised me to wear cotton wool roll under the bra line. I do hope we'll be able to wear wired bras again one day 🙂 Xxx ... View more

Hi Scarab, I hope tomorrow at the dressings clinic goes really well. The scar lines definitely fade over time. Thanks for letting me know about your stitches; I don't feel like it's just me now! I have booked my bra fitting for later this week and it feels like a momentous occasion. I will find out if I can get a comfortable fit. I've just piled up my old ones ready to eject as they definitely don't fit! It feels like some sort of loss but I'm looking forward to having something other than a surgery bra.   Hi Dawn, I hope your appointment in June gives you some comfort. All this has knocked my confidence too. It will take time to heal I think. It feels better to be talking to someone who has gone through similar changes.   Big Hugs X  ... View more

Hi Louise, you are right. hearing other people's wishes and frustrations give me the courage to recognise my own wishes as important and to not feel guilty about "fussing" when my breast cancer has already been removed. Thank you for sharing. I really hope you get the breasts you want with your new surgeon. Big hugs X     ... View more

Hi Scarab, Thanks for your reply. I'd love to hear how you get on. No harm in perfecting the cherry before you finish the icing?! I know what you mean...   I did post a reply earlier but it has disappeared. This has happened before and I wonder if it's something to do with having multiple pages open on an iPad?   Anyway, I'm feeling a bit happier now the latest "dissolvable" stitch/staple has come out and the area is healing and not sore anymore.  One step closer to a bra fitting! However,  I can see that two more deeper nodules appear to now be coming up 🙁 I know it's a minor event in the grand scheme of things but I am impatient for everything to be settled!    I hope your tattooing goes really well and Gravity is working in your favour 😀 . X ... View more

Thanks Scarab, I hope the tattooing all goes well. Let me know how you get on. I hope things come together for both of us in a little time...X ... View more

Hi Scarab, I'm in the same position as you with my natural breast now looking  higher and smaller than the diep recon but 6 weeks post op. When I spoke to my surgeon he said to leave it 6 to 8 months to see how gravity settles things down. I thought everything would be finished now surgery-wise so I'm finding it difficult to be patient too!   Im hoping to get a bra fitting soon but there is another sore dissolvable stitch/staple that hasn't dissolved (!) pushing out on the bra line so I'm sticking with the Macom for now. The first one came out from a post op infection site. I wonder if anyone else has had that happen?   I was due to get tattooing on my recon nipple in the next couple of weeks but I think I'll go back and clarify things with the plastic surgeon first.  The onc registrar I saw recently said we ladies should be as picky as we like about our post surgery breasts which I thought was very supportive 😀 .   So perhaps we will be waiting to droop together Scarab?! I'm just worried the other one will droop further too! X  ... View more

It's great that you've got your best friend to go with you Starshine ( and I'm guessing that you wouldn't think she should be embarrassed if the roles were reversed!).  It might be useful to write any symptoms and questions you've got in a list you can tick off. If you are comfortable sharing it with your friend, she could help you to make sure you have covered everything you want to  during the appointment. I tend to get a bit forgetful when faced with medical staff and equipment so always have a long list! I hope your waiting goes quickly and it's all good news X  ... View more

I'm really sorry you have received this diagnosis Bonbai. Breast Cancer sucks...But it can be beaten into submission with the right treatment. I wish you all the very best in your onward journey Xxx. ... View more

Hi Starshine, good luck with your appointment. I'm sure the Breast Clinic will have a really good look at both your breasts with the ultrasound. There can be a lot of waiting around at the Clinic and I would really encourage you to take someone with you. It's ok to share waiting/worry/relief with someone else. That's what friends and family are for! Big Hugs X. ... View more

Hi Katie, I'm sorry you are having to wait so long for an appointment. Waiting is always really worrying but I think you should give yourself some comfort in that your GP doesn't think you need be referred urgently. Doctors can ask the breast clinic for an urgent appointment and then you are seen very quickly; so you could go back to your GP and explain how you are feeling. I'm glad you have confirmed your referral has been received so you can be confident that the Breast Clinic will be contacting you with an appointment; as far as I know, referrals are never rejected. I wish you all the best on the day X. ... View more

Hi Worrywart, it's really great that you are checking your breasts and therefore able to spot changes quickly. Most changes aren't serious but should be checked out by a GP so that any problems can be ruled out. I'm so sad to hear that you were sexually abused as a teen. Please don't let the abuser stop you from getting yourself checked. Can you ask for a female doctor at your surgery? I would tell the doctor how and why you are afraid because im sure they will be extra sensitive. If you are still unsure about going, perhaps you could get some advice from the really helpful nurses on the BCC helpline on this website?  Big hugs X ... View more

Hi Bonbai, I'm really sorry that you are having to go through this. It's so horrible waiting for results. I think we drive ourselves potty trying to second guess what the outcome might be; I wouldn't read too much into the appointment time being changed. I wish you the best possible outcome on Wednesday. Be kind to yourself and big hugs X  ... View more

Hi, Bohemia has a few wrap scarves at £4.50. I didn't try those but I found the Mia silk scarf really comfy 😀 (http://www.bohemiaheadwear.co.uk. ).   Maybe one of the websites listed by Cancer Research has more wrap scarves:  http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/changes-to-your-appearance-due-to-cancer/hair-loss/where-to-get-wigs-hats-scarves   all the best X  ... View more