Avoiding radiotherapy
Hi, are there any community members here that have avoided radiotherapy and then regretted it later? or vice versa. I had a very small pre cancer, which was non-invasive and I'm in my 40s. I am anxious about radiotherapy (long term effects) and though its the standard treatment (because the precancer was high grade), I am not totally comfortable with it, but perhaps that is normal? Any insights appreciated.
Newly diagnosed with DCIS - starting the rollecoaster
Hi all, I live in Geelong. I'm 41. Single mum to a 13yo son, co-parent 50%. I was diagnosed with DCIS estrogen+ on the 14th Feb. Luckily is stage 0, which eases my worries a bit. My mum and sister had stage 2, and they are in remission. So this gives me hope and keeps me positive. I am not scared of the surgery or radiotherapy...but just have lots of doubts of how is the process going to affect my ability to concentrate on my phd and thesis writing and my ability to work (part time teacher, looking for change in career). I'm considering taking an intermission from my phd, but I don't know for how long, and how I am going to support myself financially. Did anyone kept working or studying through the treatment? I'm a planner....but this doesn't have a timeline...and I think I just have to take a day at the time. I don't have a date for surgery and radiotherapy yet...I don't know how long is going to go for and how I am going to feel.....My guess is just go with the flow.....Questions for your surgeon/medical team when diagnosed - ILC based but also relate to other BC types
This document has a huge number of questions that you may like go over - and put to your Surgeon, Onc, and/or Medical team at some stage of your diagnosis and treatment ..... Altho it is based on those with Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC) .... many of these questions also relate 100% to all BC Types .... the more questions you ask, the more you understand your diagnosis. Go thru them and see if any may relate to you. If some questions specifically refer to ILC - you could replace ILC with 'your' BC type ..... and see if you'd like to put any of them to your own medical team? https://lobularbreastcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Questions_for_My_Doctor_FINAL_-2023.03.21.pdf
Wound care/protection post-surgery
Hi everyone, This is my first post so a little introduction: After a routine mammogram I was diagnosed with DCIS high grade, 6mm in right breast which was removed two weeks ago. I was offered and opted for a therapeutic mammaplasty through the public healthcare systerm; and I had a matching breast reduction in the left breast at the same time (I'm only 160cm tall and my large breasts have caused me a great deal of shoulder/back pain so I jumped at the opportunity to have them reduced - silver lining). I'm a candidate for DCISionRT with my consulting appointment this Thursday, which will help decide whether I undergo radiation therapy. Tomorrow I will remove the hypertape from the wounds and was wondering if I should use a moisturiser on the wound so early? I currently use CeraVe Smoothing Cream on my skin (recommended by a dermatologist as I have very dry skin). It's a small thing, but I'm wondering if other women experienced irritation from the bra in those first days/weeks when the hypertape is removed and the scars are exposed; and if so, how you dealt with it. Thanks so much. I love that this forum exists xAdvice please
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with DCIS in December, following a regular mammogram. The core needle biopsy indicated that it was only 3mm. I had surgery the week before last to remove it, but unfortunately the pathology showed that it was actually 35mm, and a clear margin hadn’t been taken. I had an MRI on Friday, which I’m hoping will provide further information for the next surgery. My surgeon has indicated that I will lose the nipple, and suggested that I may consider a mastectomy with reconstruction. I have to say that this has taken me by surprise, because it’s nothing like I thought I was dealing with. I’m trying to wait for the MRI results before worrying too much, but I feel that I need to understand my options, and the future implications of partial versus full mastectomy. Has anyone else been in the same position? Are there any specific questions you suggest I ask at my appointment with my surgeon this week? Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Young mum diagnosed IDC and DCIS.
Hello! Im 37 and was recently diagnosed in November with early breast cancer - IDC (ER+, PR+, Her2-) and then following my surgery they also discovered DCIS. Plan is chemotherapy starting tomorrow and then mastectomy/recon 4-6 weeks post surgery! Looking for advice on: 1. What to take with me to chemotherapy tomorrow (will be there approx 5 hours as will be trying scalp cooling). Also what do people wear when using ice gloves/boots/cold cap? 2. Any advice on TC chemo and how you tolerated it (I’m doing 4 cycles). 3. Any tips on managing chemotherapy with 3 children aged between 3-7yrs and a husband who works long hours but very supportive. Thanks so much!High Grade DCIS
Hello all, fortunately after listening to a podcast this morning, I have found this site, thank goodness! Due to having dense breast tissue, I believe my DCIS has been missed previously, only MPO, but with my nipple showing signs of inversion from February 2023, and sporadic nipple leakage since then, I've had mammograms and ultrasound, plus saw a specialist in April 2024 but no diagnosis, no sign of a problem, until November 24. Ultrasound found a lump behind my nipple, however MRI has found a 7cm x 3 cm x 2 cm mass! What was to be a small lumpectomy is now going to be a Mastectomy, and I am in shock. I've had 4 biopsies now and all show DCIS, will have lymph nodes biopsied at time of surgery to check I'm clear, which I'm hoping for. I was originally under Dr Chris Pyke in Brisbane but he is retiring, and has referred me to Dr Emma Clarkson, at Mater, has anyone experienced her before? I'm not having another consultation until Jan 6th, and am feeling that I've had this diagnosis and been left to deal with it without any advice of communication, is this usual? I suppose that's why I'm here, I am looking for support. I've just been told I'm to lose a breast, and my GP actually said, you didn't have breasts before you were 11, you'll get used to not having them!! WTF!! I said to her, I have had my breasts for 45 years, I'd rather keep them! I want to scream!! Thanks for listening, I do understand there are so many in a worse position than me, I really do. I appreciate you being here and sharing your stories, advice and ears. Xx. Paula
Recovering from DCIS grade 3 double mastectomy
Hi Everyone, Just wanted to introudce myself & tell my story. I am 52 & recovering from a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy & immediate implant recon & right sentinel node surgery. I was diagnosed with DCIS grade 3 (right breast) on 7th November. There is a history of breast cancer in my family (my Mum is a breast cancer survivor, her younger sister and her Mum were both in their early 40's when they passed away from breast cancer. My Dad's sister also passed away from breast cancer. At my initial appointment with the surgeon, he said he would usually do a lumpectomy for this however with my family history he recommended I consider a double mastectomy. It was a no brainer for me - I had always had in the back of my mind I'd request a double mastectomy if I was ever diagnosed with breast cancer however I had always planned to go 'flat'. The surgeon was thorough with his information on 'flat' -v- implant recon and I chose recon, much to my surprise. I had the surgery on 20th Nov. Mastectomy and recon went well. I was due to be discharged on the 24th however the evening of the 23rd, my left breast was rock hard and it had moved. The nurses called the surgeon and he arrived within 10 mins, took one look at my breast and advised I'd need immediate surgery as the nipple was dying. Turns out I had a massive haematoma that caused havoc to the implant so he had to pull it out, clean it and re-do it. The nipple survived!. After the mastectomy, everything was sent to pathology and surprisingly, they found another lot of cancer on the other side of my right breast that was larger than the initial cancer but it had not shown up on the MRI, mammogram or u/sound and was also a grade 3 aggressive. Thankfully my node result came back clear and the surgeon said because I chose the double mastectomy, I would not require any treatment. Recovery has been slow but I am making sure I follow exactly what the surgeon says as to what I can / can't do because I am terrified of something going wrong again. I know how fortunate I am as so many of you are having to endure treatment and at times I feel guilty that I have come out of this so 'easy' (if that makes sense??).