New Diagnosis
CathL
Member Posts: 9 ✭
I had my first mammogram a few weeks ago. Got called back for a follow up assessment with Breast Screen Qld (amazing staff at the Toowoomba clinic) After another mammogram, US and two biopsy’s I was diagnosed on 4/7/23 with invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast. I’m a public patient, booked in to see the specialist in 2 weeks for the next steps. Just wondering what everyone’s timeline is like as a public patient? How long after diagnosis did you have a treatment plan? Located in Toowoomba, Qld.
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Hello @CathL - I am in Victoria but I think the public system has the goal of surgery within four weeks of diagnosis. Hopefully someone who is near you will come on soon to assist you further. Once you have more information do come back on if you need support or advice. All the best.2
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Hi @CathL, you may find the below information helpful:
Download the Guide to best breast cancer care
- This will help you understand the optimal cancer care that should be provided at each step of your cancer care
- It also provides information to help you and your carers communicate with health professionals
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Hi @CathL I’m in western Sydney. Not sure how Qld system is running. They would have a protocol for wait times etc.
i was in slightly different order and got done before covid19 messed up the hospital systems that Showed the weaknesses as well as its strengths for each hospital.It took a week to get into clinic Once my plan was sorted which only took a week then plan was put into action. I had a few extra tests before chemo then Once my chemo stopped i was only 2 weeks to surgery. Then after healing the rads started.Each of person has an individual treatment plan. Worked out by a team who look at what would work the best in your situation.Take some notes and someone with you armed with it all to your appointment. Its your body you shouldn’t be judged for it.Best wishes. One step at a time2 -
Hi @CathL
I was in the private system but didn’t actually have my mastectomy until 6 weeks after the diagnosis - my surgeon said the aim was 4 weeks but I caught a cold just after the diagnosis and lost a week due to the covid precautions ( I had a number of scans including MRI )and also had a pet scan due to the size of my tumour - I felt like I had a radioactive beacon in my breast and found the delay very anxiety producing that’s for sure.
My surgeon also said my cancer as next was very slow growing but I still was anxious.
Rest assured they will do everything to get you in for surgery as soon as possible
( assuming you have surgery first - some ladies have chemo first but that is not too common).
Its easy to say but try and keep busy.
All the best 🌺2 -
Hi @CathL
I am in Toowoomba and went through the public system when I was diagnosed in July 2021. I had an appointment with my oncologist within 2 weeks of diagnosis (saw Dr Donaldson the day after my results came back from my GP). Was originally going to go private but there was an immunotherapy trial being conducted for triple neg through the base so I went there.
I think I started chemo within the month. I had a port put in privately so not sure the timing if you want a port and going public sorry.
The staff at the base are amazing. Do you know the hormone receptor status of your tumor? That may impact your treatment plan as far as surgery first v chemo first. My oncologist was Dr Karki and he is very caring (also works out of St Andrews). Feel free to message me if you want any more info
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Hi @CathL, im in the same boat as you.. its all just happened and my head is spinning atm.. lol
I'm hormone receptor negative, her2 positive.
I'm sure ill start to understand the cancer jargon soon ..I've found the my journey app really helpful
I'm looking forward to my first oncology app in a few days, things might seem less frightening after that...2 -
Hi @CathL
I'm in Brisbane. Also had anxiety re wanting to get on with it and it will all happen soon enough don't worry. It took 8 weeks from diagnosis to surgery for me and that also made me worry at the time but it was more the first few weeks not having a surgery date locked in that would enable me to let others know what they could do, when, to help me through. On diagnosis and finding a surgeon, I then couldn't get any scans within a week in Brissy as booked out which delayed surgery appointments then surgeon was away then Easter etc. They put me on Tamoxifen for 4 weeks due to delay. At the end of the day the time delay, altho not ideal, allowed me to get super organised and ready, instead of being in a complete disorganised flap. I went private as had bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction which also required finding a date a theatre could be booked out for the whole day.
All the best for your journey 🌻2 -
So sorry to see you all join our exclusive little group, @CathL, @Tarma and @Aquagirl but you're in the right spot for support & information, as we've all 'been tru it' xx. Ask ask away - remember, there are NO silly questions.
Cath - your timeline looks pretty good - all the best .... my timeline was horrible - it took 3 months form detection to seeing the surgeon (being rural, things don't always run smoothly.) Also, the biopsy results didn't come back til just after New Years Day & all the surgeons were still on holidays til mid Jan - But then, within days, I had my surgery & was on the road to recovery. I chose to go private for surgery, then public for my Rads & ongoing Onc - and I couldn't fault any of them.
Tarma - take care & all the best for your continuing appointments ..... This disease mucks with your brain as much as your body. xx
If you put your story (so far) in its own thread in Newly Diagnosed ... you'll get more targeted replies re your diagnosis & it also (sort of) becomes a bit of a 'diary' for the early days of your treatment.
Aquagirl - you've had a hard time of it too - so glad the delay actually helped you get more organised & I hope you are recovering well from your surgery xx
Feel free to jump onto this link that has lots of other bits (and tips) about the forum (not all are 'cancer related' - we chat about recipes, our crafts, gardens & pets & other stuff - and even have a laugh as well!)
At the bottom of the post, is a link to some 'tick sheets' that you can print off & fill in & take with you to your team, post op ..... sometimes it is easier to just give them a copy too, rather than talking it thru as it can be very emotional .....
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
take care, ladies & all the best with your ongoing treatments ...1 -
Thank you, so glad there is a space to ask for help whenever I need it. 🙂1
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Hi @colthul. I am a recently diagnosed TNBC patient. I read here that you got on an immunotherapy trial. May I ask what stage you were diagnosed at? I am in Melbourne and having the 'traditional' treatment for this diagnosis (Stage 1) - AC fortnightly and then 12 Weekly Carbo/Taxol doses.
I'm not sure if I qualify for the immunotherapy drugs in my stage? But my mum (who had lung cancer) got five years from the immunotherapy drug, Keytruda - so it must be doing some awesome things for dominating cancer! I'd be interested to learn how you're going. x1 -
@Elise_Rim - terrific that your Mum did well on Keytruda for the extra 5 years xx. It is almost a wonder drug and overseas, is used in MANY cancer treatments - but just a few in Australia.
Initially Keytruda was only available for Melanoma patients (with some Stage 4 actually going into remission) - then lung cancer patients were found to respond well to it as well, so they were added on PBS & I thought that some BC patients (particularly TNBC) had also been approved for the use of it - so surprised your Onc hasn't mentioned it to you .....
Here are some documents that I found that indicate that it IS available already for those with early stage TNBC - so definitely raise it with your Onc & if they say NO - ask WHY - and then consider talking to another Onc about it as well! xx. Record all your appts too, so you can go back over them later, to take notes etc ....
BCNA has a couple of posts on TNBC & Keytruda too:
Re Immunotherapy:
https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy
and Keytruda on the PBS:
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2023/04/new-breast-cancer-treatments-recommended-for-subsidy-on-the-pbs/
also
https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/auspar-keytruda-230508.pdf
and
https://www.msd-australia.com.au/news/first-line-treatment-option-available-for-eligible-australians-with-a-type-of-aggressive-breast-cancer/
And Keytruda's OWN webpage re TNBC .....
https://www.keytruda.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
Being eligible for immunotherapy (Keytruda in particular) often boils down to the PD-1 & PDL-1 levels .... sadly, my husband's levels made him ineligible for immunotherapy
T-Cell therapy is going to be HUGE in cancer treatment in coming years ... and hopefully the treatments available sooner than later ....
Take care & all the best xx
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@Elise_Rim I've sent you a message with info about my trial. You wouldn't be eligible if you have already started treatment as the therapy is a replacement for using AC. Keytruda may be an option, I'm not very clued up on it sorry.1
