Many thanks for the article, I will read it through slowly, but a quick scan confirms that old truism - if you are going to get cancer, your best shot is to be healthy first! Clearly that’s not going to happen with everyone, and the older you are, the more chances you have of something else not being quite right - complications from underlying ailments affect almost every illness and effective treatment, including novel Coronavirus. And as cancer may be particularly aggressive in younger patients, who may be otherwise very healthy, it’s not a heartening position. The major difficulty is for patient and medical practitioners to work out what is worse -  acceptance of treatment with limited information or scaring off any treatment by too many worst case scenarios. At the time, I may have refused treatment if I had been told that I would certainly get lymphoedema and an arrhythmia. I knew there was a chance of the first, not much about the second. Modern treatment of lymphoedema means that it has very little impact on my life. Many people in their late 60s (my age at diagnosis) get an arrhythmia without the benefit of breast cancer, and mine has responded well to treatment, again has little impact on my life besides taking a couple of pills daily. Not having all the treatment I had for cancer may have resulted in a recurrence (none to date, seven years) or of course my death. I don’t believe I was well enough informed to make those decisions by myself at the time - more easily done with hindsight. I now understand that life is inherently dangerous, safety is a bit of an illusion. Accepting that is not easy, but it definitely reduces the incidence of living in fear!  

Hi All,
Regarding fears related to BC diagnosis, treatment and related health risks, I've just been reading an article which may interest you.
Breast Cancer Survivorship: a comprehensive review of long-term medical issues and lifestyle recommendations 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4403581/

My poor mum was diagnosed in the mid 1980s, in her early 50s. She suffered for years with lymphedema. She had two recurrences after 10 years and passed away in 2001. With no support group, no internet and only her GP to talk to, it must have been a lonely 'journey'. She never spoke much about it with us, her adult children. I think it was just too hard, too sad, and I guess she didn't want to burden us.

In what must be in some ways a reaction to my mum's experience and because the world has opened up via the internet and it's now OK to question/query medical opinions (and we have more choices), I have gone the complete opposite way. I talk openly with my adult son. He does his own research. I do my own reading and research...what I'm getting at is that I want to know and understand BC and the big picture as much as I can. That way, at least I can do my best to stay well or recognise telltale sysmptoms early.

@jennyss I almost feel relieved finding this forum and the people truly getting where I’m coming from .. 
it’s just so nice 
take care have a lovely weekend x 

Thank you @primek yes I think the mindset is the key .. yes I have had more investigations than normal due to a great listening doctor .. all still fresh in my mind so I try not to over think it all . I am getting better ..lol 
you have been through so much more than me ..and a great mindset you have yourself .. encouraging reading . Take care x 

A heartfelt thanks to @Maudelicious, and everyone who has posted on this discussion. It is great to share our fears, support each other and also have a good laugh!

from jennyss in Western NSW

It's absolutely normal. We are no longer health naive and that will never return.
Adjusting to our new normal is hard.
I decided I would really believe of myself as a survivor.
I changed my language. Instead of saying I've got breast cancer I started saying I had breast cancer.
I chose to believe I was cancer free rather than being preoccupied the cancer was growing.
It was a subtle mindshift but it worked. 
Do I fear every pain is something more? Yes ...sometimes. Do I discuss with my Dr? Yes I do.
Have I had more scans than others to exclude mets?...absolutely.
My way of thinking...check out issues...then move on. If I have Mets...Well I'll deal with it then.  
I now know how strong I am.
I still have down days. I mourned my loss of breasts and old hair.  But I've accepted this now 4 years on and reclaimed my life. Breast cancer is no longer my focus daily. It does get better.  X

Thank you @arpie .. will head over and have a look .. I love humour 😊

Keep that sense of humour going, @Maudelicious - it is one of the things that really helps me!!  Check out out 'naughty but funny' thread (the last one I put up is HILARIOUS & not 'all that naughty' ... !) and of course our Friday Funnies - feel free to whack up anything that you find humourous yourself, as we thrive on laughter!!  xx

Omg @Dory65 it’s crazy isn’t it ! You sound exactly how I feel at the moment ..
I just carried on as normal after being told still went to work and carried on as if no one had told me I had early BC! I had one melt down the next day once the kids had gone home but other than that I’ve carried on .. even had all my radiation appointments in the morning so I didn’t mess work around .. and yep taking the tamoxifen and going through menopause has me near crazy with all that comes with those 2 .. I still have my humour but have felt a lot better last few days actually talking to people who get it .. 
sending you big hugs Dory65.cause I’m hearin ya xx 

I can relate @Maudelicious. I barely got off the hamster wheel of work and caring for family, house, garden...to be treated for early BC, then straight back into it. Recently had the three month post active treatment appointment with the surgeon. Will be seeing the oncologist in a few weeks for the next check-up and continue taking Tamoxifen. I keep coming back to this forum even though I seem to be "OK now". Probably because I haven't really processed, digested or resolved my fears about BC treatment, side-effects and of course the cancer itself and recurrence risk......."But you're alright now" is a common phrase in response to any attempt to talk about it. So, I come here.