freakin out

Hi Alison

Everyone who has had a cancer diagnosis goes through the same thoughts at the beginning. We ask questions of anyone and analyse statistics and use Dr Google until we are frightened to death!

The answer to your questions about cancer spreading or coming back in later years, no one can answer with 100% accuracy. Oncologists do use statistics regarding survival rates and chances of cancer coming back BUT they are based on all women, regardless of age and overall health status, and they tend not to take into account latest treatments etc.

Chemo before operation is a very effective treatment, and as others have said it can reassure you that the treatment is working.

My cancer had spread before I was diagnosed, and I have found that the only difference between early breast cancer women and advanced breast cancer women is that we have to fit on-going (forever) medical treatments into our busy lives. So rest assured, cancer spreading is not the automatic death sentence that it was in the not too distant past, it can be treated and managed for decades. If it happens, it will be picked up by your Doctors and/or annual scans etc. and treated! 

I picked up a saying from the American Discussion Boards that I thought was very apt -

"Early stage cancer is like crossing the Mafia and getting away with it. You live, but must forever glance over your shoulder."

Once you are over your initial treatment educate yourself on the symptoms to watch out for that may indicate a return and you will feel much more confident in this area as you live the rest of your life, at this stage trust your treatment team and remember to ask questions, even tape the conversation (ask first) and don't beat yourself up regarding statistics.

From one living with Stage 4 breast cancer, and the operative word is LIVING!

With love

Joy K