Scared about the side effects of treatment
Hello everyone, I'm 35 with two young girls- I was initially diagnosed with LCIS just after a routine scan- but after my mastectomy surgery 2 weeks ago, the pathology has come back that I have HER2+ estrogen and progesterone + Lobular carcinoma, but thankfully no spread. It was a real shock as I was not expecting this news, thinking I would only have to have the mastectomy and that would be it. I am starting chemo, immunotherapy and hormone therapy in a few weeks. After what I thought was going to be a relatively straight forward recovery after my mastectomy and 6 weeks off work the oncologist said I am now looking at 6+ months off due to the upcoming treatment. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and sacred about the effects of the upcoming treatment on my overall quality of life (and caring for 2 young children!). I will likely lose my hair with the chemo- the oncologist mentioned I could try the cold cap therapy- for those that have had it has it made a significant difference (the Dr said it takes a long time each chemo session to put on and off!)? I would also appreciate any insight into how to approach looking for some counselling support as well- would it be best to go through a GP or...? Thank you for reading, I'm so glad there is a support network like this available- I feel very alone so far. xx
Newly Diagnosed - Diabetes & Treatment Side Effects
Moderator moved @Dee8855 comment to dedicated discussion in 'Newly Diagnosed': Dee8855 Central Coast NSW 11:08AM Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, on my left breast, it was found after having my regular annual mammogram, and was considered fairly small 14mm, Grade 2, ER Positive. I had surgery 3 weeks ago, lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes removed, all came back clear, so I am very grateful that the outcome has been this positive. I still haven't had any other appointments to discuss further treatment, but I've been told that I don't need chemo (another blessing) but will need radiation and hormone blocking treatment. However, my problem is that I am also diabetic, insulin dependent and need to keep a very tight control of my blood sugars. I am concerned about what the effect the hormone treatment and radiation will have on my diabetes. I've been searching for any information about this, and most of it doesn't sound very positive. I know this is something I will need to discuss with my doctors, but I was wondering if anyone else has been through the same problem, and how they managed it? Just reading about the side effects of these treatments sounds very daunting, but having another chronic condition just makes it seem a lot worse. This is my first time on this forum, so I hope my question isn't too personal. Thanks for any advice.
I’m in a grey area and confused
Hi, recently diagnosed early breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma. Lumpectomy and reconstruction (breast reduction). ER and PR +, Her2 -, Tumor grade 2 10mm, KI67 very low, 1 out of 3 lymph nodes positive small 2.5mm. Lymph node has put me in grey area with chemo now being my choice. Ocnoassist states extra 3% survival 89%, hormone blocker 86%. Will be doing radiotherapy. My oncologist said sometimes chemo risks outweigh benefits in my case since low risk but I needed to be advised of my options. He did not push either way and support either decision. If it were 1 or 2% would not be even talking. So how does one make this hard choice ? There are so many what ifs? Do I want to put myself through 5 months of chemo? It’s so hard. Any advice would be amazing
Scared about hormone blocking treatment
Hi everyone, I am 40 years old and have 7 year old twins. I have just been diagnosed and positive for both oestrogen (80%) and progesterone (40%). I have been told I will have to take hormone blocking medication for at least 5 years and I may go into early menopause. I started researching and the list of potential side effects was just the straw that broke the camels back I think. The thought of it being such a long process and potentially never getting back to 'normal' really hit me. I am just wondering if anyone who has had to take these drugs might be willing to share their experience with me?
Here I go again!
Hi there. Newbie to this online group. I had my first diagnosis in 2006 at 46. A grade 3 ductal cancer for which I had a lumpectomy, radiation and hormone blockers. I had Tamoxifen until developed uterine polyps (3yrs) and then switched to Arimidex (another 5 yrs). My maternal aunt had BC first in her mid 30’s and then late 50’s before she died of mets in her mid 60’s. I’d had annual mammograms since 40 because of my family history but have no genetic markers. All going well until my last mammogram which showed another BC in the same breast. This time a lobular cancer. Luckily very small and no spread but still devastating. I’ve had another lumpectomy- because I would not speak the M word! I’m now recovering from that and have started hormone blockers - again. I can’t have radiation again in the same side - which I’m thankful for - and I don’t need chemo - again very grateful. However I feel my surgeon would prefer me to have had a mastectomy ( that word I will not speak of!). I see home again in a few months and I’m thinking this is what he will recommend to keep me safe. At least I’ve had time to get my head around this and find out more about it - I just didn’t feel I could make that decision in the days between my biopsy results and surgery. Anyway I’ve been reading lots of posts here and finding out more each day. I have a bit more knowledge under my belt from my previous experience and in some ways that makes it worse! I worry about the impact of hormone blockers on my long term health and my ability to keep fit and keep the weight under control. And I’m concerned about a reconstruction and how long the recovery will be. One of the worst things about the past few weeks is that we had to cancel a much anticipated overseas trip. We haven’t travelled since 2019 so we are keen to get back travelling but not to be! I keep saying to our kids I’m not sure how many good travel years we have left and there’s so much still to see! ��🤣
Papillary carcinoma and hormone therapy
Hi, I've recently had my first mastectomy for solid papillary carcinoma. (Will have remaining breast removed in a few months when sufficiantly healed). I see an oncologist this week to discuss hormone therapy but am very anxious about side effects. Has any with a similar cancer had success or otherwise going down this road. ? I am so tempted to say no to this treatment. ❤
Exemestame - weird side effects.
Hi all, I'm 6 weeks into my 10+ years of endocrine therapy for Stage 2b, hormone +ive IDC. So far the side effects are minimal (esp when compared to chemo!) but I have a few odd ones and I wanted to know whether it's the exemestane or something else. The complicating factor is that I finished radiation and then immediately got covid, so it's anyone’s guess as to which side effects belong to which cause. I’ve done a quick search here, as well as a decent trawl of eviQ but I can't find anything (although bloody eviQ didn't mention mood, and exemestane seems to affect everybody’s mood. Humph.) So, does anyone else have the thing where you lie down at night, and then your nose immediately gets blocked up? I can be breathing easily all day, but within minutes of going to bed at night my nose is so stuffy I can't breathe through it at all. It's very annoying.
Ongoing oestrogen supression
Hi wondering if there are any age 40ish ladies out there premenopausal who have had to decide whether to use tamoxifen daily for up to 10 yrs or goserelin injection every 28 days and exemestane daily. I am reluctant to be locked in to having an injection every 28 days and wary of the more harsh side effects that go along with it, but my oncologist seems to think I should try it...having already had double mx, 4xAC dose dense and having 10th taxol next week and then will have rads for 6 weeks daily after that I feel that physically and mentally tamoxifen is the preferable choice and will give me a better sense of closure and ability to move on a recover from all of this... thoughts?
Hormone Therapy options for young women who hope to have children
Hi everyone 😊 I’m seeking some advice on what hormone therapy is best for younger women who want kids in the future. I have Grade 1 multifocal IDC+DCIS, 80% hormone positive, ER- cancer & I’m premenopausal, with no children. I was told after 2 years of hormone therapy I can try to fall pregnant (…but am hoping 1.5 will be enough?) I have been given three options for hormone therapy: •Tamoxifen only •Zoladex + Tamoxifen •Zoladex + Exemestane (Aromasin) All offer similar coverage in regards to my type of cancer, but I was wondering if there are any differences in regards to future fertility? ie. longer detox periods required before falling pregnant, or potential fertility issues after long term use, eg Zoladex or Exemestane? I have also read that Exemestane (Aromasin) is an *irreversible* steroidal aromatase inhibitor. I don’t want to be on anything that could irreversibly damage my oestrogen production.. Fertility-wise, does anyone know if this is something to avoid until after having children? I’d really appreciate any advice & tips for having the best chance of getting pregnant in 2 years! X
