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Newly diagnosed BC but I dont know stage and type

EunyoungEunyoung Member Posts: 5 ✭
edited April 23 in Newly diagnosed
Hello BC loveley members

First of all, I am in brisbane and had ultrasound,showing fibroadenoma 3cm size.Result was bit dodgy though, because my lump showed vascularity. Then I supposed to have a core biopsy as a precaution. I am public so I had to wait 2weeks to have biospy done. Problem is when I had biospy they did FNA instead of core biopsy. The result came back as breast carcinoma.just only one result it is malignancy. There is no mention about type and size.

My GP referred me to RBWH on 17/4, I am worried how long I will wait to see specialist. And I dont even have mamogram yet.My age is 37 so GP only ordered US initially.

It has been nearly 1 month since I found lump. I have breast carcinoma without knowing stage,type and lymph node involvement. This is really worrying me now. I am an immigrant and single. No family support here. Anyone treated a RBWH how long did it take to see specialist? I feel my lump(actually it is tumor) getting bigger and sore.

Many thanks. 
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Comments

  • kmakmkmakm MelbourneMember Posts: 7,661 ✭
    Hello @Eunyoung, and welcome to the forum. I am sorry you have had to join, but I hope you find it s warm and supportive as I have.

    I am not from Brisbane but we have many members who are. I'm sure one will be along soon to help.

    Sometimes things move very fast with breast cancer, and sometimes very slowly. It is totally understandable that you are so worried at this point. I would suggest going back to your GP to tell them that you are very worried. Maybe they will be able to calm your fears, or maybe even hurry things along for you.

    This question about waiting at the beginning comes up regularly here. With the occasional exception, the doctors assure us that a few weeks more wait at the start is not to be concerned about.

    Can I suggest that on Tuesday you call BCNA's helpline? 1800 500 258. They will be able to guide you and let you know what resources are available to you.

    Hang in there. Big hug, K xox
  • SisterSister Adelaide Hills, SAMember Posts: 4,441 ✭
    As @kmakm said.  You probably won't know too much more until you get the path report back after surgery.  That's when they know the finer details, staging and lymph node status - before that it's just what they can tell from images so not always accurate 
  • kezmusckezmusc Member Posts: 1,315 ✭
    Hi @Eunyoung,

    Welcome to the forum.  The waiting at the start just stinks. It just feels like an eternity.  

      I think one of the things I wish I had known at the start was if you aren't happy or have questions you must speak up. You have to be your own best advocate or you will kind of just get swept along.  

    The biopsies, whichever one, is just to confirm that's what it is it won't tell you staging or anything like that. 

      Most of the imaging companies around Brisbane and Ipswich will take each others referrals if you ask, so you may need to make phone calls and see who can get things done the quickest.  

      Has your GP organised any other scans like mammogram, CT and bone scan so that you have them ready for when you get to see the surgeon. If not, it's probably the first thing they will do so that means more waiting for results. If you can get them done first it will save time.

     I went public and there was only a one week wait to see the surgeon.  You will be cat 1 (that means surgery must be within 30 days but is normally quicker) and you're young so they won't mess about. The public holidays are probably delaying things. The RBH should allocate you a breast care nurse once your referral is through.  If they don't you should ask for one.  

    Stop poking the lump (we all do it) it will just make it sore and make you worry more.  It was exactly 1 month from my diagnosis to surgery.  

    All the best lovely.

    xoxoxox






  • youngdogmumyoungdogmum Gold Coast Member Posts: 219 ✭
    Hi @Eunyoung
    I can’t speak for RBWH I’m treated on the other side of town at PA.. 

    but I can mirror kesmusc’s comments that once the PH are over your referral should be managed very quickly.
    I was 2 weeks from diagnosis to mastectomy. 
    Regarding further scans; 
    I also recommend trying to get some scans done in the mean time if you can; your GP may feel comfortable ordering them or may recommend seeing the surgeon. The potential reason I see the GP wishing to wait for surgeon is that it was a FNA not core biopsy which gives a larger sample and therefore more accurate picture of the tumour...I would feel that a mammogram at a minimum though the GP would order, to give an indication of sizing. You may need to make several calls across Brisbane and explain you’ve been told you have BC but know nothing else and ask for them to squeeze you in ASAP.
    Given that you probably won’t see a GP until Tuesday, it genuinely may be quicker to have all imaging done once RBWH has processed your referral..

    I personally had all my imaging done before I met the surgeon, however another young gal I know diagnosed at the same time as I had them all done once she was in the system publically and she had surgery done only a week after me, then a further surgery and then chemo for her has started 3 weeks after me. So no real significant delay in things from that perspective. 

    The not knowing is the absolute worst and these public holidays do not help at all. We’ve been there and know how terrible this time is.

    We are here for though :) 
  • PinkcloverssPinkcloverss SydneyMember Posts: 43 ✭
    Hi @Eunyoung. I can totally relate to the anxiety you feel. I def had more answers post surgery when they cut out the tumour and looked at it to give me a grade and final size. I went into surgery only knowing it was IDC BC approx 2cm. Hope you have answers soon. X
  • primekprimek Broken HillMember Posts: 5,191 ✭
    edited April 21
    Hi and welcome.

    There are a number of women in brisbane area hopefully @Margie may be able to give you some support.

    We have some resources now online which will help the process. 

    https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/

    I'd be going back to GP and let  them know you haven't an appointment as yet. I'd also ring who you referred to and ensure they have recieved the referral.

    Your GP may order addional scans given the delay with 1st appointment. 
    Also the public hospital  who did the biopsy probably has a breast care nurse attached to them. Ask to be contacted.

    Also you could  ring the bcna helpline for advise. They should be operational from Tuesday. 

    https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/bcna-helpline/
  • kmakmkmakm MelbourneMember Posts: 7,661 ✭
    @Primek Do you mean @onemargie?
  • primekprimek Broken HillMember Posts: 5,191 ✭
    Yes @kmakm I know she doesn't come on often now, but she would have valuable info.
  • kmakmkmakm MelbourneMember Posts: 7,661 ✭
    @primek I agree.
  • youngdogmumyoungdogmum Gold Coast Member Posts: 219 ✭
    I just want to add,
    if you do decide to see your GP tomorrow and they order more imaging, ask them to write “please kindly bulk bill” and often the imaging companies will do this!!
    This will save you a few hundred dollars hopefully. I did mine through Qld X-ray and they bulk billed all of my imaging except my breast MRI, but unfortunately Medicare doesn’t pay for MRIs if BC is already known. 
    Note an MRI isn’t needed for everyone so don’t worry if you don’t get one :) 

    There is the Mater Private Qld X-ray womens imaging centre for mammogram; they have doctors very astute into BC, but that is of course on the other side of town for you.. 
    There is also another Qld X-ray in the Mater Private that can do ct scans/bone scans if the GP decides to go ahead with any of those, hopefully you could get everything done in one day/visit :) 

    At the end of the day if you can get the imaging done before seeing the surgeon for free anywhere will be fine :) 
    No point driving all the way to the Mater if you don’t need to from North side. 

    Take care.


  • EunyoungEunyoung Member Posts: 5 ✭
    edited April 22
    Thanks everyone for helping and reasuring me. I feel actually a lot better now. @youngdogmum .I live in north brisbane Chermside. I am going to see GP tmr and asking him to refer me wesley breast clinic. I choose to pay rather than doing nothing. Because,I am a nurse as well, I think sonographer and staff there would be more specialising in BC. I also consider mater as well.I just wanna know whether I am DCIS or IDC and any lymph node involvement. My first ultrasound result said there are 2 nodule?(very small,that could be normal) In my axillary but sentinel node are normal. That is acutally worrying,but now too much.Good thing is now my mindset is quite settle now I am ready to go through. We will see I am stronger than this bullshit :)
  • JulieVT11JulieVT11 Chermside, BrisbaneMember Posts: 59 ✭
    Hi @Eunyoung I also live in Chermside.  I was diagnosed last November by routine mammogram at the Chermside Breast Clinic then had mastectomy at Holy Spirit as a private patient.  I saw Dr Melinda Cook who is really lovely and also works out of the Wesley.  I had to have an MRI which was done at the Wesley and the Breast Screen staff there were exceptional in their care.  Happy to PM if you have any questions.
  • youngdogmumyoungdogmum Gold Coast Member Posts: 219 ✭
    Wow so many of us are nurses!! 
  • youngdogmumyoungdogmum Gold Coast Member Posts: 219 ✭
    @Eunyoung how did you get on?? Hope you are well.
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