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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?
Xanthelasma and raised cholesterol on letrozole.
Triple pos IDC girl here. I’m post 5 mths chemo, single mastectomy with lymph sweep with clear margins and post oopherectomy. Finished trastuzimab a bit early due to side effects so now plan is for just hormone therapy 5 yrs. I just saw GP today regarding what looks like xanthelomas. Hes given me blood form to check cholesterol and thyroid. I showed oncologist yellow skin 2 mths ago and again 5 days ago and she saying it’s not related to any cancer treatment and see GP. I looked up Letrozole info on eviQ and it states that raised cholesterol a known side effect and that levels will be monitored. Today I’ve just got results back and LDL is 5.9 and total cholesterol is 8.2. I’m starting to lose trust in oncologist and feel like I’ve got to check everything so to prevent medical harm. I do t have medical training but do have a keen interest in reading full info of every medical intervention due to previous experiences with medical system. Anyone else have cholesterol issue on letrozole? And if so did you switch to diff AI? Or did you stop taking? Or did you treat naturally? EviQ says other AI’s can all raise cholesterol too.
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
Length of treatment 1 or 3 wks?
Hello, I had my initial appointment yesterday with my radiation oncologist and know I have to decide if I want my treatment to be over 1 week or 3 weeks? I had surgery 2 weeks ago -Early breast cancer, it was small 10mm and hasn’t spread to lymph nodes. From what I understood the 1 week treatment is higher dose and is equivalent to the 3 weeks, so am I crazy not to do that? Chance of stronger side effects, but at least it’s over with faster… this is all so overwhelming! I can’t really find much information about doing the 1 week. ThanksD4 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 xoxAnother 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.
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 🤔
