Forum Discussion

SYLV1E's avatar
SYLV1E
New member
2 hours 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.

diagnosis
family
treatment

2 Replies

  • Moomincorn's avatar
    Moomincorn
    Member
    32 minutes ago

    SYLV1E​ I've pondered the same.

    In my head I am certain that the cancer has been ejected from my body however I'll be on hormone therapy for many years to come so at the moment I think of it as "having treatment for". 

    It seems that some people get told by their medical team at some point along the way that there is No Evidence of Disease (NED).  I'm looking forward to hearing that some day.

  • KalGal's avatar
    KalGal
    Member
    1 hour ago

    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 🙂