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Letrozole or Tamoxifin?
Hi Fellow Hormone blockers :-) Really need some advise , my situation 60yrs old with thin bones Had 15cms DCIS removed via mastectomy and a 5mm invasive cancer. The oncologist is giving me the choice between the 2 drugs for 5 years. If I was to go on Letrozole it will thin my already thin bones so would need to go on a drip 2 times a year with a bone strengthening drug in it also need permission from the dentist. Tamoxifin apart from the similar side effects it also can cause blood clots and uturus cancer, Im really conflicted. The oncologist is going to mail a lot of material out to me then in a months time we will make a decision. I really wanted to talk to the real people taking these drugs, your experience and if you have been on both your preference? Appreciate your help with this decision :-)
Letrozole and high cholesterol
I'm struggling to reduce my cholesterol, it's always been a bit high and it's now jumped up to 7, yikes! I'm almost certain this has been caused by the Letrozole as it's a known side effect. I have a pretty healthy diet and pretty much follow the healthy heart diet, and have for years. I spent 6 weeks being even more strict and managed to reduce it by 0.04 😆 I'm giving it another few months, and picking up my extercise, and will then seriously consider taking statins, if I haven't managed to reduce it more. I've lost 10kg since diagnosis 2 years ago. My good collestrol is still pretty good. I think I'm kidding myself that it will get better, my husband eats pretty much the same as me, but with more biscuits, and his is perfect 🙄 Has anyone else had a similar issue?
Scalp cooling - tips on cap size and forehead pressure?
Hi all, I'm about to start my first of 12 x weekly paclitaxel treatments on Monday (combined with trastuzumab infusions every three weeks). I am keen to try scalp cooling to try to reduce hair loss and had gotten my mind around the cold factor (I think!). However, I had my chemo education session yesterday and got to try on a cap. I discovered that the cap alone for just a few minutes was very uncomfortable/slightly painful on my forehead and am now not sure how I'll go with this for several hours! The nurse did get me to then try the next cap size up, but this didn't seem to be as good a fit and had a gap at the back of my head - hence may not be effective. I also didn't have a headband on when I tried the first cap - so possibly this might also help a little. Just wondering if this tightness/pressure/forehead pain is normal or if anyone else has experience and tips on dealing with this? I noticed from other posts about scalp cooling that these seem to suggest the hardest period is the first 15-20 mins and then your head acclimatises/becomes numb. Just wondering if this also applies to the feeling of tightness of the cap? Or if there are any other tips on reducing pain/pressure on your forehead during the cooling process? I figure I'll give it a go anyway on Monday as I can always stop the scalp cooling if it is too much for me, but any advice would be very welcome!Take 3
Today, I found that my second surgery, a lumpectomy revision had revealed further IDC and multiple DCIS , none of which showed up in scans, or were too small to show. I initially was checked 2 years ago with nipple changes, but mammogram and ultrasound were clear. This time there was a definate lump, but still no clear view on mammogram or ultrasound. Biopsy proved cancer present and my April Fool's Day gift was my diagnosis. I had my first lumpectomy at the end of April and lost my nipple, areola and a kiwi fruit sized bit of me. Pathology showed 7 tumours and a plethora of precancerous DCIS. Revision 4 weeks later has revealed further tumours and DCIS and, since these didn't show up until pathology was reported, I was unaware, until today, that I must again have surgery. I have decided, when weighing options up, that mastectomy will remove any further " lurkers". I am back onto the roller coaster of waiting for admission date and dealing with my head and an impending infection. How will I learn to trust screening in future? I had always been regularly to Breastscreen even after I passed upper age limit. I suppose I might live long enough for newer diagnostics, 80 next year....and now I need my routine colonoscopy due to family bowel cancer. Just a wee bit morbid and muddled.xxcephalexin
hi all, i had a lumpectomy on my right breast about two and a half months ago, i recently got quite bad internal pains and an ultrasound found an infection (retroareolar abscess). i'm half way through my prescribed dose of cephalexin, which has hit me hard, like dizziness, weakness, tiredness, stomach pains, basically every side effect it could have is happening. i'm wondering if anyones had a similar experience with cephalexin and how they managed it? thanks!!Another surgery 😞
Hi all, I’m facing my 3rd surgery in less than 6 months. Margins were out by less than 2mm either side. To say I’m pissed is an understatement! But can’t risk leaving it. I was wondering if anyone has had local anaesthetic and/or sedation instead of general? I don’t recover well from GA. Much love to you all on your journeys x AnnaAre you on Zoladex? It is being withdrawn from BC patients' treatments in November 2026
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1536059021895756&id=100064750174391&rdid=ZbyIOgLWpVyIo312# BCNA​ Mez_BCNA​ Christina_BCNA​ Can you please look into this and kickstart strong advocacy for BCNA members currently on this drug? It would appear that AstraZeneca is withdrawing Zoladex, a breast cancer and endometriosis treatment, from Australia in November, citing commercial reasons. HOW UNFAIR THAT IT WILL BE RETAINED FOR PROSTATE CANCER, BUT NOT BREAST CANCER OR ENDOMETRIOSIS! There have been 94,000 prescriptions filled in the last 18 months. The higher-dose version, used for prostate cancer, will remain on the PBS. The dose used by women with breast cancer and endometriosis will not. Ashleigh Middleton, a 30-year-old breast cancer survivor from Melbourne, started a petition calling on the government to act. Swipe through to hear from Ashleigh, Kate, and Aimee, three of the women directly affected, and, if you want to help keep Zoladex available, add your name at the 'CHANGE' link below. https://www.change.org/p/keep-zoladex-3-6mg-available-for-australian-patients?
A-cup surgery options
I have very small breasts and I do a lot of running. My surgeon says she can easily do a silicon implant reconstruction for my unilateral mastectomy, but she didn’t have a sample of an implant that was small enough to match my size in her collection of samples or in recent patient images. I’m concerned that the end result will be annoying when I’m running and whether an aesthetic flat closure would be a simpler option for someone with such small breasts to start with. Can anyone relate and what did you decide?
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
