Recurrence group?
Hi everyone I am a few months into treatment for a local recurrence. It’s hard to find people who have gone through or are going through something similar. Any threads or group discussions you could recommend would be helpful. Only looking for experiences of others and not academic or medical journals etc (I think I’ve read them all 😂😂) Thank you!!
An In Depth article on BC Recurrence - what to look for - well worth a read
The article (below) is a 'must read' .... I've attached a PDF of it as well, so you can download it too. http://www.melbournebreastcancersurgery.com.au/breast-cancer-recurrence.html?fbclid=IwAR3HS79ElQjVbGpDuHUU538J-cm9RfZZ1qZ8vO-3Xc4u87SWilz--wGvxa0 There is a specific link to Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer, within the article. https://www.verywellhealth.com/invasive-lobular-carcinoma-ilc-breast-cancer-430623 It is written by Melbourne-based Dr Jane O'Brien ... who is a specialist breast cancer and oncoplastic surgeon who specialises in surgery for breast cancer and prophylactic/preventive surgery for high risk individuals. Her area of special interest is in “oncoplastic” breast surgery, aimed at maximising the cosmetic result following breast conservation surgery for breast cancer using advanced surgical techniques, and nipple- sparing mastectomy and reconstruction, both in the preventive setting and as treatment for cancer. Jane completed her medical training in 1985, graduating from the University of Melbourne. Following advanced surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne which she completed in 1994, she undertook a two year breast surgical fellowship in Melbourne and Edinburgh, Scotland. She then worked as a consultant breast surgeon in the United Kingdom for a period of eight years at a number of world class, internationally renown breast units. During her time in the UK Jane gained extensive experience in breast reconstructive techniques, and used this experience on her return home to become one of the first breast surgeons in Australia to enthusiastically embrace the fledgling subspecialty of oncoplastic surgery, which was at that time still in it’s infancy. Following her return to Melbourne, Jane in 2005 established the Epworth Breast Service. She held a public hospital appointment as a specialist breast surgeon at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre from 2004-2013 and at Breastscreen Victoria from 2005-2017. In 2017, Jane relocated her breast practice to St Vincent’s Private Hospital East Melbourne, establishing The Breast Centre at St Vincent’s Hospital East Melbourne. Jane has a particular interest in the treatment of breast cancer in younger women and genetic breast cancers, and in the organization and delivery of multidisciplinary breast cancer care. Jane’s main area of surgical expertise is “oncoplastic” breast surgery, aimed at maximising the cosmetic result following breast conservation surgery for breast cancer using advanced surgical techniques and also nipple-sparing mastectomy and reconstruction, both in the preventive setting and as treatment for breast cancer.
Third time lucky?
Hi everyone, I have just had my breast cancer come back in the same breast for the third time. I discovered the lump myself, after trying to decide if it was actually there or not, but eventually decided it needed to be confirmed. However there has been a 30 year gap between the first and second recurrence, and a 9 year gap between the second one and this diagnosis. Each time, a different type of cancer. I had a lumpectomy and radiation the first time, and a lumpectomy and four years of tamoxifen the second time.Thankfully no spread anywhere else this time, but my dilemma was, what to do? After a lot of online reading, and discussions with my oncologist, I have decided to have the right breast removed, in about 2 weeks time.You'd think it would get easier, having been through this before, but in some ways it does, in other ways it doesn't. I'm absolutely scared to death of the surgery and have been trying to be sensible about updating my will, and finishing my advanced care directive, but I don't know whether I can. I do have a very supportive family which helps, but sometimes the fear overwhelms me.
The outlier
Hi all, I’m back again. In feb this year they found a new tumour which at the time they thought was a bit they had missed from my lumpectomy but now they are thinking is a very early recurrence (2 months post finishing herceptin). Last week I noticed some discolouration on my breast near my nipple which they biopsied and found it was the cancer on the move and had come in to my skin via the lymphatic system (despite being on chemo). The last week has been the usual whirl of staging scans which have all shown it contained to the breast still. Yesterday I had a mastectomy where they also took a large amount of skin and pulled up my stomach skin to cover the gap and they did an auxiliary clearance. I’m feeling terrified of what is to come and it’s not helping that the drs seem genuinely worried too and say things like “I’ve never seen cancer move this fast” and the like. They have all said that there is hope that they have got it all now but I feel like that’s a pretty small hope. I’m scared and sad and I feel like I don’t fit in anywhere for support. I’m not early breast cancer, I’m not a survivor and I’m not yet metastatic. But I’m scared I could be dead within months the way things are going. I’m her2+ er- and have been on herceptin, perjeta and taxol but I’m guessing that’s changing soon. I get the results from pathology next Thursday and I guess they make a plan from there depending on what they find but it all feels pretty hopeless. Some days I find I can feel calm and ok and other days I just cry which feels like a waste if I haven’t got many days left. I just want some better luck to come my way and I’m tired of being the outlier.
Any advice pls - local recurrence 2..5 years post mastectomy - advised to have radiation/tamoxifen
Hi everyone - in 2017 I had stage 2 HR positive/HET2 negative tumor removed in lumpectomy. Before I started radiotherapy I decided to have bilateral mastectomy and hence no radiotherapy given. I had reconstruction with implants and advised to take tamoxifen but I only took for a couple of months and stopped as I put on weight and thought I was low risk of recurrence due to mastectomy. I have now had a local recurrence (pea size stage 2 tumor) removed last week in lumpectomy. MDT meeting advised radiation and that I must take tamoxifen. If I can't commit to compliancy with Tamox then I need to have chemotherapy. I am a public patient and I have requested an appointment with a medical oncologist to discuss pros and cons of both. Do any of you have any thoughts? Thanks KateRecurrence
I were first diagnosed in 2011 and had lumpectomy followed by chemo and radiation I then had a local recurrence in 2015 and had a double masectomy and reconstruction followed by more chemo and then daily letrozole tablet I have just been diagnosed with another local recurrence in my reconstructed breast I have had surgery to remove the lump and are awaiting the results. I am wandering what sort of treatment I will have as I have been told different things .It sounds crazy but I almost want more chemo as cancer has returned twice with chemo and it scares me to think what could happen if I don't have chemo. Anyone been in a similar situation.