Really struggling with needing mastectomy
I have really been agonising over needing a mastectomy. I just feel horrified that they want to cut my breasts off and wonder how I will accept and deal with lookiing down to see no breasts. I have had really huge boobs all my life and 9 years ago finally had a reduction. Went from F/G cup to D. I have liked the size of my boobs for the first time since I was 14 yrs of age. So now the irony of getting them completely chopped off. But how do you deal with having no boobs? I'm really quite terrified. I know I have to do it to get rid of the damn cancer. But I guess it's also because I have never felt sick, unwell or anything. Just found a lump. I feel completely fine. So even I guess just accepting that I really DO have breast cancer? And I really DO need to treat it....is tough. I've had terrible complications from Chemo and been very sick. Heart failure and heart block and got a Defib implanted...that all seems way more real then the actual breast cancer. Now I have to face having the mastectomy. Not sure what I'm looking for here...just wanting to spill perhaps? Thanks all.
dcis
Ive DCIS in the right breast &now an MRI has found spot in left breast. I had an ultround 14/8/25 but breast are dense & lessions couldnt be seen. Now booked for MRI with biopsy on 28/8, results 1/9/25. Ive booked for travell overseas with hubby on 7/9/25 till 18th october. Should i postpone till i get ?? Please help
Partial Breast Radiotherapy
Hello 👋 community I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and while it has been surgically removed, I’m now entering the next phase of treatment. I would like to know if anyone has experience with partial radiotherapy and what side effects—both short-term and long-term—you may have encountered. I'm feeling a bit anxious about this process.Anyone advised to have chemo to treat lymph nodes rather than have them removed through surgery.
Hi I have been recently diagnosed with BC. I have had a lumpectomy done a few weeks ago and removal of sentinel node which was sent for biopsy. Results came back that there is DCIS component present and 1 sentinel lymph node identified containing metastic carcinoma(multiple micrometasases measuring up to 1.2mm. Rather than go back for a re excision I have decided to have a mastectomy with an immediate reconstruction. I was also advised to have chemo for the lymph nodes after. My question is why can't I have the lymph nodes removed rather than have chemo which is my preference. At this stage and time, I feel I would prefer going through the side effects of removal of lymph node through surgery than go thru chemo. I would love to hear from anyone who has been through something similar. Thanks in advance.
A big welcome to all New Online Network Members .....
A warm welcome to all new Online Network members - to the club that no-one really wants to join! Here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those who’ve gone before you, cos we 'get it'. Nothing is off limits. We have ‘private groups’ for some more personal discussions .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you. Category: Groups | BCNA Online Network We are happy that you found us - as we were in the same boat not that long ago. The members here are just wonderful and will provide you with as much support as you need. Just ask away! If you put your story in the 'Newly Diagnosed' Thread, we'll have a better understanding of what you are going thru - and don't forget to add your 'town or region' in your Profile info - we may have members nearby who you can meet up with for a chat and a coffee. https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/categories/newly-diagnosed We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with a BC diagnosis .... specially after a ‘clear mammogram’ and no family history. This was my story. My MG was clear just months before my wonderful GP found it, by accident! I had lumpectomy, Rads and now finished after 7 years of AI Tabs. If you can, take someone with you to your appointments for support - as it can be daunting sitting there alone. A 2nd set of ears also picks up points raised that you may have missed - and ask relevant questions too (as did my Sister in Law with me.) Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile phone - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record. Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you navigate unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... and it may take a year or two for your life to settle down. It is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if you find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you to a psychologist ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist who is more familiar with BC issues. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ... Also consider ringing our Helpline, for a confidential, one on one chat - just phone 1800 500 258, Mon-Fri, 9-5 You will make new friends who will support you (specially on this forum) and may lose some old ones, who just do not understand what you are going thru. Most of us here, have found wonderful friends within the group and have even met up with them in ‘real life’ before this Covid thing and since - hopefully they'll get on top of it soon & our lives return to a 'new normal'! If there is anything you want to discuss in a more private manner, you can message a member (or a group of members) and chat in total privacy. Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And sometimes that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! Keeping BUSY doing things is the secret .... get back into your hobbies or take up a new one - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before. Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latest If you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner' https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078 And we now have a Fishing post, as that is one of my passions! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19494/fishing-brag-pics If you are an artist or a knitter or do chrochet or other art & craft stuff ..... whack up a picture here!: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest ; If you have 'fur kids' - put their pic here & describe their funny antics ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/92526#Comment_92526 We even have a funny Xmas page .... feel free to add any that you’ve seen! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20086/christmas-funnies-put-them-up-here-for-a-laugh#latest Try not to use Dr Google too much (difficult tho it is) as there is just so much conflicting information out there (and much of it is REALLY OLD & OUT OF DATE), and every BC case is totally 'unique' and it will only scare the pants off you! If you haven't had your surgery yet, we have some posts here on what to take with you to hospital, to make it 'easier' on you. https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/16442/prep-for-surgery/p1 And for your annual checkups, here are some ‘tick sheets’ to help you put your questions together for your medical team. (Make sure you click on the documents at the BOTTOM of the post, as the others are only sample pages.) https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment/p1 Take care, and all the best to you!Compass (ABC) The Breast Decision - NOW - should be on iView soon
Sun 18th May - Compass: The Breast Decision - now available to watch on ABC iView https://iview.abc.net.au/video/RN2411H008S00 BCNA was 'shown' in one segment. Charlotte Tottman is interviewed re her own decision on choosing to go flat and how her breasts were very important in her sex life with her husband - but they'd 'done their job' on raising her 4 children .... Yes, She misses them - but in her words, she looks in the mirror every morning for 5 secs and says she 'is not too shabby'. She encourages women to look at themselves every day for 5 secs - and to also share their scars with their partners & even their children, so that they are 'a part' of the recovery.
Election called
Hi everyone - it has been a while since I have posted myself but as always I love the many messages you share with each other that I have a chance to read. Last week Vicki (our Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services) and I were in Canberra meeting with both the Minister for Health and Shadow Minister to take them through our policy priorities. I hope you have had a chance to read them: https://www.bcna.org.au/latest-news/bcna-news/bcna-policy-priorities-2025/ These are driven by your experiences and where our Network wants the Australian Government to invest. Keep any eye out on our social media and through the Online Network on updates on commitments the parties may make. Love your work KP
More information about Elle MacPherson's breast cancer treatment
For anyone who wants to know more about why Elle may have decided not to have chemotherapy. https://theconversation.com/elle-macphersons-breast-cancer-when-the-media-reports-on-celebrity-cancer-are-we-really-getting-the-whole-story-238231
Are you a breast cancer survivor who happens to be childless?
I have been a member of this online network since 2014, just after my diagnosis. At a recent breast cancer seminar at a city near where I live, something hit me like it hasn't in all this time, the subject of survivors who happen to be childless. I thought to myself, "Noone talks about this. Why?" This has led me to do my research, as you do, I found this demographic of women are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It is explained this way, you are at a lower risk of diagnosis if you have children. Interesting I thought, Nuns are at a higher risk of breast cancer and ovarian, not that I am a Nun but an interesting statistic that gets me thinking. Which brings me to why I am posting. I am putting it out there in a courageous way to see if there is another like me. Courageous because for 30 years after my extensive efforts to go forth and multiply I walked away childless. The one thing I learned was to keep it to yourself as I found there were lots of people willing to give you their advice, just like they do with breast cancer 'cures', an emotive issue is best kept to yourself for your own emotional survival. I am running a personal survey just to see if there are other women within this network who are in the same boat as me. Does anyone else feel a little left out when sitting in a seminar and not to be included in the discussions? I tell ya, there is a real sense of alienation, but culturally we are told to, 'just get over it', which is fine and life for me has been fulfilling in spite of it all. My GP doesn't know of another single patient like me which isn't very encouraging in finding my tribe, my mother always said I am different when all you want to do is be like everyone else. So please step forward if you are like me or if you know someone who has a similar story. I feel it is a subject that needs discussion and inclusion because in society we, the childless women are 1 in 5, by choice or by circumstance. Cheers Janet4 years since BC diagnosis & joining BCNA & my surgery ...
Woohoo! This year was the first year that I didn't actually 'remember' that Jan 5th was the anniversary of my actual diagnosis of BC ...... so that must be a good sign! So - today - it is now 4 years ago since I joined BCNA (at the suggestion of a girlfriend in Qld who had been diagnosed a few years earlier) .... and a few days later, Jan 15th, I had my surgery. What a roller coaster ride it has all been .... lots of tears, anger, melt downs, but there's also been lots of laughs and education - all emotions are a part of this shitty disease - but, newbies, take note - it DOES get better! During this time, I've really appreciated all the support & info & camaraderie from the group - but especially the wonderful friendships that I've made along the way - with regular PMs within 'The Famous Five' over the years .... xx. So ... a big THANK YOU to all of you who've helped make a difference All the best to those who've been recently diagnosed ...... reach out, lean on us, ask questions, and we'll do our best to offer support and info to help get you thru the rough bits xx take care, stay safe