Forum Discussion

kezmusc's avatar
kezmusc
Member
6 years ago

What the heck is going on with this BC thing????????

Ok, so I know the figures are 1 in 8 or 1 in 7 depending on which article you read but honestly.  When I was diagnosed I knew one of my friends sister had had breast cancer and my family history 3 generations ago. That was it.
 I would see the bookings come through at work averaging one or two breast surgeries a week and sometimes there would be a few weeks with none at all.

Now. WOW!  4 - 6 a week with the majority being 45-55yrs and a definite rise in under 40's.  
One of my friends mother in law diagnosed last year and now her mother last week. my daughters friends mother, a close work collegue a couple of months ago, a collegues sister a week after that, a collegues daughter around the same time. One of the senior medical consultants. A client drops a horse off to me and has to run or she'll be late for radiation!

Bugger me. I get in to work today and ask where so and so is.  "Oh, haven't you heard" She's been diagnosed last week and is off for bilat mx and ax clearance.  All of these people I know in my little circle diagnosed within the last 12 months.
Seriously what the heck is going on?  

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  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    6 years ago
    My surgeon’s nurse said ‘because you are post menopausal and have breasts’. Haven’t had anything much clearer since. No family history, breastfed for almost a year (not my intention but child had other ideas). Light smoker before giving up decades before, did drink alcohol though. I took the pill but had also been off it for over 15 years. There may be reasons but blind chance figures in there too. 
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    6 years ago
    I was 53 diagnosed. No family history. Not over weight. Hardly ever drank alcohol even when young. Always very active. In fact I had just spent a few years renovating houses. I did breast feed both children however it wasn't for more than a few months as I had little boobs which couldn't produce a lot of milk as they aged.
    I did take the contraceptive pill most of my life though which is a medicine marvel. Maybe that had something to do with it?
    My oncologist said it was because I was female.
    My mother said it was because I didn't do my holy communion right.
  • cranky_granny's avatar
    cranky_granny
    Member
    6 years ago
    We live in a far more advanced world now. 
    The difference is staggering from generation to generation 
    cancer was once a death sentence now there is hope for a lot more of us 




  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    6 years ago
    The increase in awareness and screening leads to higher stats but also better survival rates.
    Undeveloped countries...well let's face it, a lot of those women don't have the privilege of aging and many would die without even having a confirmed diagnosis even if they did. Unfortunately undeveloped countries don't have the screening and health programs we do.
    My grandmother died of some kind if women's cancer. She never had it investigated just treated with morphine at the end. It's only once one of her daughters was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that they knew and a further 3 developed either breast or ovarian cancer. My point...just because not included in  stats doesn't mean it hasn't  been happening.

    Also there seems to be a big increase following any screening advertising push. Makes sense.
  • brightspace's avatar
    brightspace
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi All
    lots of stats and info on risk factors   out there to ponder over

    Overweight 
    Consumption of alcohol 
    Lack of exercise
    Delay in having children
    Not breastfeeding

    Living longer
    Living in Australia 

    Yes we are more aware 
    Media and celebrity health status have shaped our awareness

    People are more willing to share details of their health problems than they did 15/20 years ago

    It has become part of our social consiousness


  • Dory65's avatar
    Dory65
    Member
    6 years ago
    Diet must have a lot to do with it, especially as more people than ever are overweight. The medical oncologist was very blunt in saying I need to get my BMI below 30 as fat produces estrogen and works against the aims of endocrine therapy.
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    6 years ago
    You are right @kezmusc.  More and more women are being diagnosed and at a younger age.  I asked this question to the Onco.  I also asked her why the incidence was so much higher in developed countries compared to developing countries.  There needs to be more research on WHY, but the big pharma companies will not be interested in funding such research.
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    6 years ago
    I don't know whether it went under the radar for us before or it's just that we've got to that age.