Top Content
Category Content
Recent Content
Another Re-Excision or Mastectomy?
Well, here I go again. I was diagnosed with DCIS in December. It has been a long path, but I eventually had a double lumpectomy on my right breast on 26 March 2026. A week later I was told that although they got clear margins, three of the margins on my largest lesion (4 cm) were less than 1mm. So, I had a re-excision on 15 April to get wider margins. I saw the surgeon this morning, who told me they found more disease and the new margins are still less than 1mm in two places. I have to have more surgery next Wednesday but have to decide (by Friday) whether to have another re-excision (and my breast will be starting to look a bit sad after that) or go straight to a mastectomy. She said it was quite feasible to try a re-excision again, to preserve the breast if I want to, but if they still find disease or don't get good clearances, then I have no choice but to have a mastectomy. If I have the re-excision, I have to have radiation treatment for 3 weeks, 5 days a week afterwards. If I have a mastectomy, then it's all done. No radiation and no lymph node involvement. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do / or want to share your story if you've had a similar experience? I know it's my decision, but your advice is appreciated, thank you.D4 post lumpectomy itching
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with ILC R) breast hormone +ve, HER2-ve at the start of April. I'm D4 post op lumpectomy and sentinel node bx. I have a follow up appointment next Monday. Pain has been manageable, but today I've noticed my breast is so itchy and I had some shooting pain. I can't see a rash but honestly it's hard to tell with the bruising. Did anyone else get this? Did anything help? Im curious if it's the nerves trying to heal. I'll need radiotherapy, so also keen for any tips to prepare for that. Thanks xox
Flying with a seroma
Hi peeps I have a seroma on my chest wall, following mastectomy with flat closure just over 12 months ago. The seroma has been drained multiple times but keeps coming back - the saga continues... I'll be going on a flight (for a holiday - yay!) on Saturday, and it's just occurred to me that I might have some additional pain or discomfort with the seroma due to the cabin pressure. Does anyone have experience with this? Many thanks Bec
Cryotherapy gloves/socks for chemo neuropathy – anyone in Australia able to lend or sell?
Hi all, I have metastatic breast cancer and have been on Abraxane since September (about 6 months in). I’m starting to get early neuropathy in my feet. My hospital doesn’t provide any support around cryotherapy, but I’m keen to trial gloves/socks during treatment to see if it helps. Before I go and spend $200–$300 on a mefucal grade set, I wanted to ask: Does anyone in Australia have a pair they’re no longer using and would be open to lending or selling? Or any recommendations on what actually works (vs what’s a waste of money)? I also have Hashimoto’s disease & bad blood circulation, so I’m not even sure how well I’ll tolerate the cold—another reason I’d prefer to try before buying. I’m on the Central Coast NSW and happy to pay postage or contribute towards cost. Really appreciate any help or leads—thank you!Chemo dilemma
Hi I'm struggling to get the information and support to make a decision on whether to have chemo prior to radiotherapy. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts from a similar journey or ideas of where I can go for help? Her2 negative hormone positive 15mm grade 2 on biopsy grade 3 following lumpectomy with clear margins and clear lymph nodes. Ki67 was 5-10% at biopsy not tested on tumour so possibly higher. Would like genome testing advised to have ProSigna which is for post menopausal women I'm pre-menopause (?!) Struggling to get hold of anyone to give me answers or advice I understand its my decision and I'm in the borderline/grey area but want all info possible to make an informed decision 🤔
Neuropathy- need some moral support
Hi all, I had one dose taxol and 2 doses herceptin. They have since put treatment on hold 3 weeks ago due to neuropathy in feet and legs (I was borderline for needing it anyway). Im now in a vicious cycle or spiralling anxiety and worsening symptoms, despite them only being mild to begin with. I’ve upped my antidepressants which will hopefully kick in soon. But I’m so scared that this is going to be permanent. I get zapping, tingling and varying numbness. Some days are good, where I barely notice, and other days, like today, it feels debilitating. I guess I’m looking for some good news stories or tips on what worked physically or mentally to help get you through this. many thanks, AnnaStopping hormone blockers
Hi I was diagnosed with BC at the age of 40 in 2022 and have had surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and have been in remission since May 2023. I went on hormone blockers straight after my active treatments finished. and was on them approx 8 months. I tried 3 types of hormone blockers - Letrozole, exemestane, and Tamoxifen. The adverse side effects were too much for me, and I chose to stop the tablets, chosing my quality of life over the possible the risk of recurrence. I also had one zoledronic acid injection (as I was forced into menopause, having my ovaries removed), but have recently been informed that there is no benefit for me to continue the injections as I am no longer taking tamoxifen, and have not been on tamoxifen for over 6 months. I made the choice at the time which was best for me. At first it was to take a break, and maybe return to taking my meds which did not eventuate as I felt so much better not on them. I did not realise or maybe did not listen that the break could/would compromise the benefit of taking the meds, and that I couldn't just pick them up in the future. I have some regret, but now feel like I have to live with the decision I made, which at the time was made when my life quality was not good, nor was my head space. I was also told that without taking any treatment, I no longer need to see my oncologist is that right? I guess I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone else could share if they decided not to continue with hormone blockers within the first year after active treatment. Take care everyone 🩷
Zoladex 3 monthly available but not PBS covered for women
I wanted to share something I recently learned as it might help ease the burden of regular monthly injections. I recently learned that the goserelin injections many of us have monthly are actually available in a 3 monthly dose (10.8mg). I was a really hopeful thinking this could significantly reduce the stress, time and cost that comes with needing to have an injection every 4 weeks. However, my Med Onc informed me that in Australia, the PBS doesn't subsidise the 3 monthly dose for women, although it does for men (prostate cancer). The reasoning given that there's `insufficient evidence of reliable suppression of serum oestradiol' in women. What doesn't make sense is that there is evidence suggesting otherwise. Recent research indicates that the 3 monthly dose is non-inferior to the monthly dose for pre-menopausal women with breast cancer in terms of ovarian suppression. For me, the monthly injections come with a real burden: financially - GP visits and medication add up every month time wise - frequent GP appointments and pharmacy trips take time out of the week. physically and emotionally - injection itself is painful, it's a large slow release implant into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. The main alternative - surgical removal of the ovaries is obviously much more invasive and comes with it's own risks and long term consequences. Given that the 3 monthly option is already in use, clinically tested and could ease the burden for many of us, I would really like to see equal PBS access for women. I'm curious, has anyone else looked into this and how to go about taking action?Grade 3 Oncotype Test Chemo decisions
Hi all, I’m in the challenging time of making decisions about chemo and would love to hear experiences from others journey particularly with any similar cancer. I have had lumpectomy on left breast results showing- Stage 2A invasive carcinoma 25mm Grade 3, HR+ PR-HER2- with lymphovascular invasion but all 13 lymph nodes sampled as clear. I am 39yo and very active and healthy (apart from this)! I pooled my savings to get the oncotype DX ordered- I am now waiting for results. (Still can’t believe we have to pay $5000 for this). I understand the Grade 3 PR negative and lymphovascular invasion detected are likely risk factors that tip towards benefits of chemo. But I have been reading more about the effectiveness of hormone therapies like OS+AI and that perhaps I could avoid chemo. I will let you all know my score when it comes back- I hope it’s low but if it’s high I’m facing such hard decisions that any similar experiences may help! thank you
