Telling my toddler and child I have breast cancer
Hi All, Last month I was diagnosed with IDC and 2 weeks ago I had a single mastectomy. I have a 3 and 5 yr old who I am struggling on how to discuss this with them. So far for all the surgeries and appointments we have told them 'Mummy has a sore booby' which has been enough for them. However I am likely to need chemotherapy and I with the likelyhood of hair loss I will need tell them more about what is going on. I have done reading online into how to do this however it seems to all be directed at older age groups. My children I dont think would understand cancer or even cells. We tell them to brush their teeth so they doing get bugs eating their teeth so I am worried to say I have a bug in my booby to them and scare them of bugs! Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if anyone had found a good little video or book to help them understand what cancer is?
Hair Loss Advice
Hi beautiful people. I have just commenced chemo a few weeks ago and I am just starting to lose my hair. I have bought some hats and scarves but I would appreciate some advice on wigs. Looking at the possibility of a real hair wig? Would really appreciate your opinions. I live in the the Wollongong area. Thanks ☺️
Emotional support
I was diagnosed in April and have had a lumpectomy. Was going to be radiation next but my Ki67 levels are a bit high so having Endo predict test done. Oncologists are saying possibly chemo now. I am very anxious. Don't have much support. One daughter at home is autistic and the other has gone to uni so not home much. Partner and I separated so living separated under one roof which is so hard. Just need some support.
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 VictoriaYoung 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?
Struggling through Chemo
Hi all, My nurse has just introduced me to this group. I’m hoping to connect and share my story and hopefully somehow feel better. After being diagnosed and a short time later having a mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed, chemo started just before Christmas and I am struggling with it! Ive got another 2 months of chemo before 5 weeks of Radiation…… would love to hear other stories. I have a fantastic support group of family, friends and colleagues but they just can’t possibly understand what I’m going through. Looking forward to connecting 😊
Recommendations-North Brisbane -Public v Private- Surgeons
Hi Everyone, I do hope everyone is travelling as well as they can be. Was hoping to hear of experiences and recommendations about Public v Private -North Brisbane. My GP has advised if I choose to go private then I need to find surgeon and they can send referral. Not sure where to start…have rang some surgeons, am feeling like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Has anyone had experiences with going private and having significant out of pocket expenses? Or going Public and what wait times/facilities are like, that they are comfortable in sharing. Preliminary advice is that it is likely treatment will be Chemotherapy then surgery, nothing confirmed until appointment with surgeon.