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SYLV1E's avatar
SYLV1E
New member
1 hour ago

Is it ‘have’ or ‘had’ breast cancer?

Im newly diagnosed and waiting on the results of an MRI before my surgeon finalises my plan going forward. As it stands now, I’ll be having a lumpectomy, followed by radiotherapy and then hormone therapy.

My question is a bit out of the box and was hoping for some insight.

After having surgery, and hopefully the surgeon is confident that margins are clear and lymph nodes are clear, do I then refer to having ‘had’ breast cancer or do I still ‘have’ breast cancer?

So basically, when do I transition from  ‘present tense’ to ‘past tense’?

I know this question is a bit out there but I’m just wondering how do I describe my condition after a hopefully successful surgery.

1 Reply

  • Hi SYLV1E​ that's a really good question, I reckon I will say 'recovering from' after my surgery and then 'had' or 'having treatment for' while having radiotherapy.  

    Incidentally I have the same plan as you (at the moment) MRI next week, plan finalised, surgery and RT and HBs! Snap?! (I hope that's not too flippant)

    Good Luck with your journey 🙂