Newly Diagnosed
Hi My name is Victoria, I'm 42 years old and I have been newly (well, 5.5 weeks ago) diagnosed with breast cancer. It is is located underneath the nipple on my left breast and it is invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, PR- HER2-, Stage Two. (Sorry if I don't have all the details but that is what I have interpreted it as). The tumor is 2.5 cm. I have seen my surgeon twice and I will be having a single mastectomy next week some time followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. We had discussed a lumpectomy so he could try and save the nipple but I opted for the mastectomy, just for a clean break. I'm dealing with it okay- I'm a bit concerned I haven't cried yet- and everyone else around me is very supportive and very shocked. I just wanted to introduce myself and hopefully be able to contribute something to these groups. Thank you Victoria
Young and overwhelmed
Hi all, I'm 30 years old, with the BRCA 2 gene mutation, and was diagnosed after my first high-risk screening MRI found a tumour - mixed lobular and ductal invasive carcinoma, stage 2, grade 2, hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative. Because of my BRCA status, I had a double mastectomy in February 2026. An 11mm tumor was removed alongside a 50mm DCIS component that was associated with the invasive tumor and adjacent tissue was removed from my left breast, but my right breast was all clear. The sentinel lymph node biopsy showed a 1mm micrometastases in one node (of two). Initially, the plan was just a double mastectomy followed by endocrine therapy, but the option of chemo has been put on the table post-surgery (and even the choice of two different regimes). My oncologist's justification was "we want to give you every option available because you're young" but it feels like I've just been given an impossible decision with no clear better option. I'm also having a lot of anxiety around chemo and the implications for fertility as I am yet to have children (I was able to freeze a small number of eggs pre-surgery but I would have to self-fund any further cycles). I'm not entirely sure why I'm posting this but maybe I'm just hoping someone will have had a similar experience (especially if you were diagnosed young or before having kids!) or have some words of advice because I'm feeling overwhelmed by all of the choices I'm having to make.
Molecular Profiling? Chemo?
Hi All, I'm recently diagnosed and my pathology reports from recent lumpectomy shows ER+, Grade 3, Ki67 20%, LVI present. All 6 Lymph nodes clear. I'm 47, fit, strong and healthy :) It's hard to believe this is happening in my body while I feel so normal. Apart from cording from my sentinel node biopsy! My specialists are recommending numerous treatment options, including precautionary chemo for 3 months. They've also mentioned Molecular profiling to see if my cells would respond to chemo or not. Also radiation and hormone blockers. I'm seriously considering doing molecular profiling so my questions are: Has anyone here made the financial investment to do this? How did it affect your outcome and final treatment decisions? Looking forward to hearing.
? Chemotherapy
Please HELP!! Hi everyone, i am 45 years old and i have recently been diagnosed with; ER positive Ki-67 positive Tumour size 12mm Toumour has been surgically removed 6 weeks ago with clear margins from right breast. Tumour grade 3 2 x Negative nodes I was told that i need radiation therapy and endocrine therapy. But i was given the option to decide if i want to have chemo as well! I am really struggling with making this decision whether i should have chemotherapy or not. Or do i just do Radiation and endocrine therapy. I was wandering if anyone has been in similar situation as me and how did they decide on treatment plan?
Early HER2+
I understand what Early is and I am grateful that I found something at the same time as my breastscreen mammogram and it is not in lymph glands, PET was also clear but they need a new name for Early. My treatment is starting 9/10 and will be Chemo (abraxane) & hercepton then surgery and radiation. I thought I had choice after doing a lot of research on trusted websites, listening to great podcasts and asking questions of my MDT but although they say I do they highly recommend the above plan. I am resolved to losing my hair and looking forward to the freedom no hair should bring me, I am self employed so can regulate my hours, I am active and look forward to keeping that going, as I know how good it makes me feel and again research shows, it helps us through chemo and everything else. What I struggle with is seeing others reactions to the news and seeing my husband frustrated by the time it takes to have tests and get things started. I would delay treatment even longer if I could but know that is not a good decision as the HER2+ is a grade 3. With a name like Early people seem to think 🤔 I will have an easy run, and I certainly hope I do but have read enough to know that I may not. People also say oh that’s good it’s not urgent then and not that bad. For someone who limits toxins as much as one can this is testing my self control to the limits and then having people say and think 🤔 it is going to be an easy road does not sit well with me. I am babbling and that is certainly something that has happened since diagnosis. I spent 24 hours in denial and 24 hours in why and have decided to tell only positive supportive people going forward and focus on things I can control and leave the rest to my team. thankyou for letting me rant and thankyou for all your encouraging posts and links which I have loved. Let’s kick this tumours out of here xResources for my kids
Hi everyone 👋 I'm 34 years old and recently diagnosed. About to start chemotherapy and want to find some books or resources to help me talk to my young kids about it when I start. I think my 4 year old daughter is going to be particularly shaken by the hair loss and visible impacts of chemo. Any recommendations?
Do I stay or do I go?
Not your average post. Originally a backpacker from the UK, been in Aus 5 years and have moved onto a work sponsorship visa with my employer. I live in a very remote area and it is a 4 hour flight to my nearest 'treatment centre'. Two weeks ago it was confirmed (via biopsy) that in my left breast I have a 2mm invasive mass, and 10cm of non invasive DCIS. I had a contrast mamo and PET scan (no result yet) and scheduled for an MRI on the 6th June, and appointment with the surgeon to discuss options on the 10th June. My breast dr said the surgeon will recommend a mastectomy due to the large area of DCIS. Possibly chemo, radio and hormone therapy. They are also talking about what I want to do with my eggs. I am so scared, and I am not sleeping. I am only 34 years old without children. I don't know what to do, do I stay here in Australia and undergo the treatment recommended and stay near the hospital with the mother of a friend (who has also had breast cancer and has said she is more than happy to support me through required treatment). I love my life here that I have built over the past 5 years, and I love my job. I am scared I will lose my job with the next few months of treatment coming up (very little can be done remotely), my visa is tied to my job. I may get deported mid way through treatment? I dont know? I know I should speak to an immigration lawyer but I am already inundated with administration from cancer. My family back home are very supportive and will support whichever decision I make. They and I am also wary of the health care system back at home (which isn't in great shape). If I go home, I will take all my diagnosis letters and scans, but I will still have to start this process again from the start and basically be told twice I have cancer and they want to chop my breast off. I wont be able to get a job due to appointments and treatment, and wont be entitled to benefits as I haven't paid tax in my home country for 5 years. Its not just cancer anymore, I am not scared of the cancer as such as my whole life here being ripped away from under my feet. Sorry for the long post. I just don't know what to do for the best. Either way, I need to stay here until I have the full picture and know what the surgeon wants to do.
Newly diagnosed - Triple Negative - Chemo underway - Family history
Hi everyone, Well this is the group you really don't want to join, but it appears to be a great resource and source of support, so here goes. I was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour in my left breast on 9th May (grade 3), following a biopsy. I count myself lucky in that I have been part of a High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at RNS Hospital since 2018, when I found I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, with my father having breast cancer at 64 and ultimately passing away at 68 from secondary cancers (way too early - he thought he could massage away the lump). His mother had breast cancer as well and my mother had ductal breast cancer in her 70's. So the annual mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds since 2018 may have been a nuisance, but they picked up this cancer. I knew something was up when they did the mammogram and kept on calling me back into change again for another scan and then bringing forward the ultrasound appointment, where they did the biopsy. I am going to remember the call I received from the breast specialist's office saying that I needed to come and see the specialist "today" - no delay. I burst into tears and knew straightaway. I'm ahead of my parents in having been diagnosed at 59 - thinking of postponing my big family celebration weekend away in late July until after all this! Quickly into an oncologist and the treatment plan set up within a week. Because of the triple negative category, I'm starting with 6 months of chemo - first 3 months weekly sessions of Pembrolizumab ('the' new immunotherapy drug my oncologist says has only been approved in the last few months), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - then 3 months of 3 weekly cycles of Pembro, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Following that, they hope the tumour will have shrunk and they will then do surgery to remove the remainder - with the decision then on a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Radiation is a possibility after that. My twin sister (same genes of course) had a double mastectomy as soon as she found out we had the BRCA2 gene in 2018 and her initial reaction was to 'get them off' - but I'm following the treatment plan suggested - and I think a bit grateful I don't need to make that decision yet. I am down 2 weeks of chemo. The side effects I've experienced so far are the usual fatigue (have been trying to work in mornings, but I'm quickly realising that's even hard), inability to sleep the first few nights (the steroids I understand), yukky mouth sensation, slight nausea in morning with cooking smells, some slight rash spots on face - and the worst, the bloating/constipation (I won't share the details but I'm quickly realising I need to change up diet and liquids). I don't have any great questions just yet, but look forward to interacting with you all in the future and thank you in anticipation. Sorry for the essay. KathyTriple Negative diagnosis - Mindset challenges
Moderator moved @Andrea_S post from activity section to the main discussion forum: Hi everyone! My name is Andrea. I got diagnosed late November with TNBC, and I’m 6 weeks into chemo and immunotherapy. I’m 47 with two kids - 15 & 13. My side effects haven’t been too bad so far. Lost my hair and taste. My biggest hurdle is my own mindset especially when I have to go in for a long treatment. At this rate I go every Monday for differing hours but I really really dread having to lie there for hours. Music is the only thing that’s seems to help. Plus some meds to help me sleep a little worked. Thanks for letting me share. I look forward to hearing what others are going through. ❤️Recently diagnosed
Hi all I am new here and while would have preferred not to know about this network, I have found comfort and such helpful advice in the My Journey resources and these posts. I am a 64YO wife, mother and Nanna who loves my job caring for young people. I was diagnosed with TNBC on 20 July, following a mammogram. The shock was just overwhelming. I have found the negative overthinking and anxiety levels very difficult and something that took significant effort to keep in check. I had surgery 4 August and am due to start chemo in 10 days. I am hoping to be able to keeping working during chemo🤞 on some level, so would love to hear any advice or hints around this and preparing for chemo. Take care and thanks for posting your stories and taking the time to read my post 🌸
