Early stage breast cancer #4 (recurrence #3)
Hi everyone,
reaching out to find anyone in a similar boat which I call
the SS "Lucky/Unlucky".
I have been dealing with early stage BC for 18 years now
since an initial DCIS dx in 2001 (1mm in ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @primek, because I have never had any reconstruction after the mastectomy in '04, the 2011 and 2018 were pretty easy to see visually as they were both clearly in the scar tissue. The 2011 recurrence was a very small white/pink 'nodule' which felt almost like there was a remnant stitch in the scar (although surgery had been 7 years prior). The 2018 recurrence was more like a red raised area in the scar (which had been there for a while) - which at first I thought was chafing due to doing a lot of running - oops! The first recurrence was too small to be seen via ultrasound - the second (which was 28mm at its largest point - but probably less than 8mm at its smallest) was obvious on ultrasound (although by that stage I already knew it was a recurrence). Also, I really don't want anyone who has had reconstruction to now worry about their ability to find or see it. I understand that the choice to have reconstruction or not doesn't impact the ability to find recurrences with good ongoing monitoring. But I was always very happy to just "go flat" and have a prosthesis.
And actually I have a great deal of confidence in the ongoing improvements in understanding of what 'drives' breast cancer. As @Sister said, I think Oncologists and associated professionals are understanding that we are on a cusp (of sorts) re. treatment. Having been "on the journey" for 18 years I can absolutely see the change in treatment protocols and improved tests etc. In 2001 and 2004 I was largely "patted on the head" after treatment and told not to worry because both times it had been caught "early". But now I am being told I am a "conundrum", "problematic", "unusual" - sounds like my school reports from 40 years ago! :smiley:
Anyway, I think the fact that the Oncotype test is now 'available' is amazing and I'm very-very motivated to raise the issue with my local parliamentarians as to why Australian women have to pay for this and in the US, UK and other countries it is both recommended as best practice for those of us with HR+ tumours, and also largely subsidised.
Sorry if my answer is too long...
Hope you are OK...
And actually I have a great deal of confidence in the ongoing improvements in understanding of what 'drives' breast cancer. As @Sister said, I think Oncologists and associated professionals are understanding that we are on a cusp (of sorts) re. treatment. Having been "on the journey" for 18 years I can absolutely see the change in treatment protocols and improved tests etc. In 2001 and 2004 I was largely "patted on the head" after treatment and told not to worry because both times it had been caught "early". But now I am being told I am a "conundrum", "problematic", "unusual" - sounds like my school reports from 40 years ago! :smiley:
Anyway, I think the fact that the Oncotype test is now 'available' is amazing and I'm very-very motivated to raise the issue with my local parliamentarians as to why Australian women have to pay for this and in the US, UK and other countries it is both recommended as best practice for those of us with HR+ tumours, and also largely subsidised.
Sorry if my answer is too long...
Hope you are OK...