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Radiation skin changes: dimpling
Hi all, I finished radiation back in December (whole breast, 3 weeks, following lumpectomy). My skin has calmed down nicely, darker colour is fading, nipple almost matches the other. However 2 days ago I noticed a large dimple only visible when I lift my arm, in the lower part of my boob (my original scar is closer to top). I’m very aware that this can be a symptom of a tumour which is freaking me out but can also be just be skin changes following radio. Would love some reassurance from others who have perhaps had a similar dimple post radio that was just skin changes and nothing sinister. Thanks in advance, from a chronic worrier!
Ceasing hormone therapy
Hi Everyone. I am 43 and was diagnosed in October last year with Stage 1 ductal breast cancer in my left breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal in November with clear margins and clear nodes. Completed a three week course radiation in January and started zoledex injections in December and exemestane tablets in January. Since late January I have had extreme pain in my right shoulder I’ve had an ultrasound, x-ray and a cortisone injection. My joint pain is quite significant and is really impacting on my lifestyle. I have pain in both shoulders, my hips and arms. I can’t get comfortable to sleep. I’ve been told that this all due to the hormone blocking therapy. I am seriously considering stopping therapy. I was pre-menopausal before commencing hormone blockers and feel that the impact of these side effects on my life outweighs the potential of reducing the chance of the cancer returning. has anyone here experienced the same and stopped treatment? If so did your side effects subside? Any information would be gratefully appreciated.Infection near incision site - anyone else?
Hi, I had a lumpectomy almost a month ago and today I noticed a wound site on my breast about 2 or 3 cm from the incision near my nipple. it appears to maybe be an infection and had to happen on a long weekend - unable to get hold of the surgical team. Went to ED and I have antibiotics, they took a swab and have set me up to get an ultrasound. I’m scheduled to have a second surgery to remove a further lump/cancerous area and finalise breast conserving surgery this week - Thursday. Has anyone else been in a similar situation at all? I guess as I have a wait to speak to my surgeon on Tuesday, I’m trying to get an idea of whether the surgery may be delayed. Each case is different I know…I guess I’ve been waiting and hoped that it would all still go ahead
Radiation cost
Hi everyone, I'm trying to get an idea of the cost of radiation therapy in Australia for those who do not have access to Medicare. I was diagnosed last Feb 2026, ER/PR+, Her2-, BRCA2+, 2 positive LN, and am currently undergoing chemotherapy. I'll be having a bilateral mastectomy in July, followed by radiation therapy. I'm on a temporary work visa in Australia, so I don't have access to Medicare. Unfortunately, my OVHC insurance won't cover radiation treatment because it is considered outpatient care. I’m really feeling really anxious about the potential costs, and to be honest, the financial burden has made me wonder whether I can even afford to go ahead with radiation. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through radiation without Medicare coverage. How much did it cost, and were there any financial assistance programs, charities, or other support options available to help? Thank you so much for any advice or experiences you're willing to share.
Coeliac Disease and Chemotherapy
Hi, my mum (post menopause age 68) has recently had surgery for stage 3 locally advanced breast cancer (metastasised into 4 lymph nodes.. hormone positive receptors) and has been recommended to undergo chemo > radiation > immunotherapy. She is healthy but has been navigating highly sensitive coeliac disease for many years. One of the factors in considering chemo is concerns over gut health and chemos effect on a person with coeliac disease (small intestine). Has anyone here with coeliac disease had any experience with chemo?
Leg Flap (without muscle) bilateral reconstruction
Hi everyone, I am new to the site, but would like to hear from anyone who has had this procedure. Six weeks ago, after 3rd diagnosis of breast cancer, I had a double mastectomy and Leg Flap reconstruction. No chemo or radiation but now on Tetrozole tablets. I have recovered well thankfully but there is no information as to what I should or should not be doing regarding the legs and I am keen to get back to exercising for other problems I have. Is there anyone out there who has had the same or similar surgery and how was the recovery?Anyone moved breast care teams?
I'm currently being treated at a public hospital in Melbourne and will receive my lumpectomy results tomorrow. If the margins are clear, I plan to request a DCISionRT test, as I'm hoping to avoid radiation therapy. For anyone who has transitioned from the public system to private care, did you have any difficulty obtaining your histopathology results and scans? My hospital has been very clear that they won't release any results before tomorrow's appointment, despite having an online portal. I'd like to have copies of all my scans and reports ready after the appointment so I can potentially arrange a consultation with a private breast care team.
Post surgery pathology
Hi there, I had a double mastectomy last week following a cancer diagnosis in April. I had sentinel lymph nodes removed as part of the surgery and am assuming the lymph node testing will infom the next steps/stage. I was disappointed to hear that the pathology on the lymph nodes will take at least 6 weeks due to a massive backlog in the Tasmanian public healthcare system. I'm curious to hear how long the wait is for lymph node testing in other states. I'd appreciate hearing how long other women generally have to wait please. I'm pretty anxious to know if the cancer has spread beyond my breasts, as well as to find out what the next steps are. Thanks for reading, Anna
Struggling to make surgery/reconstruction decision
Hi everyone I have been diagnosed with high grade DCIS with an MRI showing a potential small spot of invasive cancer in my right breast. I have to have a mastectomy and I am booked in for surgery next Monday (8/9) but I am struggling to decide whether to have a bilateral mastectomy and what type of reconstruction to have. I have phone consultations with the plastic surgeon and the breast surgeon tomorrow and have to make the decision during these consultations. I am conflicted with what to do as I am waiting on the results of genetic testing (I had a tumour that was borderline cancer removed in December last year, which included removing an ovary and a fallopian tube) so am extremely fearful of having to go through this again. My initial reaction has been to get rid of both to be on the safe side which my surgeon was supporting but during a phone call with her yesterday she thinks my best option is to do only the affected breast and leave the other one. The reason she is recommending this is the left nipple can not be spared due to this breast being more saggy and the blood flow (don’t really understand it completely so that may not make too much sense) so at then end of the day if I choose to have the bilateral mastectomy I will have no nipples which she is worried I will regret. if I only do the one breast I may have enough fat on my stomach to do the flap surgery and they should be able to spare the nipple. I do not have enough fat on my stomach to do two breasts so would need to also take fat from my thighs. I have decided against this due to the scars that would be left in my thighs so if I have the bilateral mastectomy I would opt for implants. I would appreciate any input from anyone who has had a similar experience as I am at a loss what to do and only have tomorrow to decide. Specifically, if anyone has had to choose between a single or double mastectomy and has experience with nipple-sparing versus non-nipple-sparing procedures, or if anyone has had regrets about their choice, I would really value hearing your perspective. Any advice or experience would be a huge help right now. Thanks.
