My first post...
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Hi , well this is my very first post. I'm just browsing the site after going to my first meeting in Dubbo NSW by BCNA group. I actually live an hour and half away and took the day off to go. I'm glad I went, and it made me rethink what has happened to me over the last year. I had surgery and rads last yr about this time for Early stage BC , and couldn't wait to be rid of the medical stuff as fast as possible. So i've gone back to work and tried to forget everything, but since I am the 4th in my immediate family (mum and 2 sisters , 1 older 1 younger) to have BC and my 21 yr old recently had a scare and a breast lump checked, I have had to rethink a bit. The discussion at Dubbo made me do this. I am at higher risk, am pre-menopausal and am not on any drug. While these were my choices at a time of negativity, there has been no doctor or breastscreen van to remind me to go check again, I'm busy, I don't want to go there. Just check; but IT was on my chest bone last year; no idea it was there, can't feel , can I seriously just feel/check? am I worrying too much?? there's other people in need of /more serious than me; I'm fine
aren't I ?I am eligible for genetic testing but the insurance issue for my 2 girls put me off.
Nett190 -
Hi @Nett19 Welcome to the forum lovely.
If it's worrying you just go and check to have some peace of mind. Has your surgeon not booked you for a 12 mth follow up scan? It's a very hard thing to get through and forgetting....well, I am not sure if that ever happens. Maybe you should start a new discussion so it doesn't get lost in here and you can get some feedback/advice/opinions in a post of your own.
xoxoxox1 -
We all know just how you feel. Over, done with, finito. And it may be. Problem is that blithe 'it'll never happen to me' line is a bit defunct, and there's your family history to consider. I'm 6 years out and onto yearly tests - after quarterly then half yearly. Can't think of too many things that make me feel better for the short amount of time expended. I couldn't feel a lump that cost me my breast so not going to kid myself there. Twice I have gone back for checks on little lumps - reasonably confident they were nothing nasty and they weren't but why have a charming breast surgeon in your phone book and never talk to him? Life is sweeter without nagging doubts. Have a proper check, so you don't have to keep telling yourself that you're not at all worried. Best wishes.4
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Hi @Nett19
Regarding genetics and insurance, are your girls in a position to purchase it now? The rules are that if you don’t know about something at time of signing up but find out later once the policy’s in place, you don’t have to tell them.
As a young woman I would strongly advise to buy it before finding something out. My biggest regret is not buying life insurance that could follow me overseas. Those policies certainly exist I’ve since found out if your girls were potentially the type to move overseas something to consider.
Best of luck regarding the follow up ❤️1 -
Thanks for that, my girls are not quite ready to buy yet, but it's worth considering. I'm planning to talk to a counsellor soon about it all. Apparently this year , July 1st, there is a change coming and they won't have to declare it even if they take it out after I find out.
Cheers
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Hi @Nett19. To me you sound worried. And worry is exhausting and soul sapping. I think you should go have a check up to put your mind at rest if nothing else.
I was the third in my immediate family to have breast cancer. My sister had BRCA testing before she died from BC, which came out negative. I ended up having a panel of tests done from a vial of my spit which found a gene mutation. It's not the cause of the breast cancer as such, more an enabler. It also puts me at risk of a bunch of other cancers. I think forewarned is forearmed. The tests for these cancers are simple, with the exception of the colonoscopy. But I'd rather do that than have bowel cancer!
Talk to your adult kids before you have the test. Talk to health insurance companies, anonymously. Put it like this, are insurance issues enough to put off a clearer picture of your health?
If the answer is yes, then you should proceed with surveillance as if you do have a genetic issue. That way your bases are covered. Your adult kids should speak to their doctors about their decisions.
Head in the sand is deliciously appealing but ultimately I think life trumps insurance!
You didn't say if your cancer was estrogen receptor positive. Not all doctors are forthcoming about how this kind of cancer, even when caught & treated early, can come back 10, 15 even 20 years later for a statistically significant number of patients.
These decisions are deeply personal and there is no right or wrong. Ultimately you want to be fully comfortable with what you decide so there are no what ifs, or regrets, if the cancer returns.
You could call BCNA's helpline to have a chat with one of the wonderful, knowledgeable people who man the lines. That might give you more information. 1800 500 258.
Good luck with your decision. K xox2 -
To those lovely ladies who have responded to me, thankyou so much. It is amazing how simple it is to use this wonderful online tool. I appreciate your comments and will take up suggestions to get a clearer picture - not putting my head in the sand. Time for a change. Best wishes to all. 4
