freakin out

Alison 33 · February 2012

Hi, I have read some comments that have scared me and I have questions that I am hopeing can put my mind at ease at least until I see my onc. I am being treated pre op, the tumour is shrinking does this mean that I am unlikely to get secondary cancer? That the treatment is working for me and won't spread? I have read some women have developed secondaries while being treated, how does this happen. As I havn't had my surgery yet I am terrified the cancer will spread even though I am having chemo.

Alison

Chris · February 2012

Hi Allison, don't freak out about your treatment. The oncologists use different types of treatment for women depending on their cancer type. Often if the cancer is smallish, they go ahead and take it out first and then use chemo. Sometimes they would prefer to use chemo first to shrink a larger tumour before surgery. As I see it, this has the distinct advantage of being able to see for sure if the chemo is working. If the tumour shrinks, then the surgical site can be smaller if a lumpectomy is to be performed. If there is no shrinkage then they will try another regime of chemo. A least you get to know for sure that the treatment has worked. I had my surgery first, and then chemo, as my tumour was larger than expected ( 21mm instead of 4mm ) and was very aggressive. I have had chemo, but really don't know if it has worked or not. I will need to wait years to know this. When your tumour shrinks, and has been removed, you
will feel more confident that it has gone and your chemo
has worked. I read somewhere that early chemo is
becoming popular for this reason. Good luck with your treatment, and I hope the chemo isn't too bad for you. Love Chris xx

Chris · February 2012

Hi Allison, don't freak out about your treatment. The oncologists use different types of treatment for women depending on their cancer type. Often if the cancer is smallish, they go ahead and take it out first and then use chemo. Sometimes they would prefer to use chemo first to shrink a larger tumour before surgery. As I see it, this has the distinct advantage of being able to see for sure if the chemo is working. If the tumour shrinks, then the surgical site can be smaller if a lumpectomy is to be performed. If there is no shrinkage then they will try another regime of chemo. A least you get to know for sure that the treatment has worked. I had my surgery first, and then chemo, as my tumour was larger than expected ( 21mm instead of 4mm ) and was very aggressive. I have had chemo, but really don't know if it has worked or not. I will need to wait years to know this. When your tumour shrinks, and has been removed, you
will feel more confident that it has gone and your chemo
has worked. I read somewhere that early chemo is
becoming popular for this reason. Good luck with your treatment, and I hope the chemo isn't too bad for you. Love Chris xx

moira1 · February 2012

hi there Alison, even though i had my op then chemo, radio etc after, i thinke everyone on here know how you are feeling, and although its not good, its normal, hopefully someone on here has had the op first, and will be able to help you out. But always remember we are all different, and although we can share the fears, highs and lows, we all handle treatment side effects differently, when i was diagoned my surgeon said to me, you have a life threatning disease, but it doesnt mean you have a death sentence, i cling onto that, but i don't know if the fear ever really leaves us, we just learn through time, to manage it a bit easier. if you have any fears or questions, make sure you write them down, and take them along to your appointments, as no matter how much you think you'll remember to ask, there is so much going on in your brain, half the time you forget until you leave the appointment. And the specialist are the people who have the answers best suited to your situation. Good luck, and please keep comming back, and let us know how you are doing, no question on here is stupid, and there are a load of great people on here, who are or have travelled the road. Good luck regards Moira

Joy K · February 2012

Hi Alison

Everyone who has had a cancer diagnosis goes through the same thoughts at the beginning. We ask questions of anyone and analyse statistics and use Dr Google until we are frightened to death!

The answer to your questions about cancer spreading or coming back in later years, no one can answer with 100% accuracy. Oncologists do use statistics regarding survival rates and chances of cancer coming back BUT they are based on all women, regardless of age and overall health status, and they tend not to take into account latest treatments etc.

Chemo before operation is a very effective treatment, and as others have said it can reassure you that the treatment is working.

My cancer had spread before I was diagnosed, and I have found that the only difference between early breast cancer women and advanced breast cancer women is that we have to fit on-going (forever) medical treatments into our busy lives. So rest assured, cancer spreading is not the automatic death sentence that it was in the not too distant past, it can be treated and managed for decades. If it happens, it will be picked up by your Doctors and/or annual scans etc. and treated!

I picked up a saying from the American Discussion Boards that I thought was very apt -

"Early stage cancer is like crossing the Mafia and getting away with it. You live, but must forever glance over your shoulder."

Once you are over your initial treatment educate yourself on the symptoms to watch out for that may indicate a return and you will feel much more confident in this area as you live the rest of your life, at this stage trust your treatment team and remember to ask questions, even tape the conversation (ask first) and don't beat yourself up regarding statistics.

From one living with Stage 4 breast cancer, and the operative word is LIVING!

With love

Joy K

Joy K · February 2012