Second Opinion
Hello 🌸 I’m just wondering if anyone had a second opinion before proceeding with surgery? each time I email the Drs clinic, I feel like I’m fobbed off & just told I have to have surgery (I’m ok with that if all my questions are answered and they haven’t been) not sure how to go about seeking another opinion. Any suggestions?
Brie321
Hi recently I had my first yearly mammogram following lumpectomy and radiation for stage one IDC. Unfortunately the radiologist found calcifications. I was therefore referred for a vacuum assisted biopsy via mammogram. This was done 3 weeks after finding the calcifications it was difficult to find a radiologist to carry this out. The night of the biopsy I had a major bleed into the breast. I was admitted to hospital for 3 days and no treatment given. Both the doctors in the ER and my breast surgeon stated they hadn't seen anything like this before. Now 3 weeks later I have 3 large haematomas in my breast and I cannot proceed with the lumpectomy my surgeon wants to carry out on the the intermediate grade dcis I was diagnosed with. My dilemma is do I ask the surgeon to evacuate the clots. My breast is so deformed and heavy it would be a relief to do something about it. My surgeon is seeking advice from colleagues. I think if I wait for it to absorb it will take a very long time. Has anyone else gone through this. I have a lot of pressure in the breast and concerned what it might do to underlying tissue.. Thanks for reading this far.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.
Write off 6 to 12 months?
I was given a diagnosis today of small tumor, early invasive breast cancer, double hormone positive and I have an appointment with surgeon in 1 week. At just-turned-60, the next 9 months were supposed to include 2 sons' graduations, 1 son's wedding (a family first), our 25th wedding celebration, a road trip to find-purchase-or-build a new home in a tree-change location in another state, and downsizing-packing-relocating. Surgeon and nurse at breast clinic today seemed to think "we can work around things" ...is that realistic? What is the most valuable question to ask the surgeon, next week, re time frames and realistic expectations? Thanks.
To take Tamoxifen or not to take it.
Hi, Im awaiting my oncology appointment which will clarify if I need to take tamoxifen for my situation : Grade 1 tumours, bilateral masectomy recently done, less than 7mm tumours each in size (multifocal) no lymph. Hormone receptive cancer. Does anyone have a similar profile above and been told they won’t need tamoxifen? I am dreading taking this drug. If I have grade one tumours and a bilateral mastectomy my chances are already so low of recurrence…🤞
Mental health and new diagnosis.
Hi all, been struggling really bad finding out i have cancer in my right breast early diagnosis. I dont know what sort as i cant cope with the details of it all. I have seen the doctors and waiting MRI appointment and surgery date. I am really struggling with the anxiety and the moving forward bit. I suffer with anxiety and depression quite badly. I was given the option of just having the two lumps removed or the whole breast. I cant decide which option will help me move forward better. So firstly is there any mental health accept to this organisation? I only have my hubby to rely on who is also classed as my career. I am unsure which option to go with as my mental health plays a big part in my descion. I need to make a descion that i can be happy with and wont make my anxiety worse. Unsure of who to talk to or where to go for help.
Are you on Zoladex? It is being withdrawn from BC patients' treatments in November 2026
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1536059021895756&id=100064750174391&rdid=ZbyIOgLWpVyIo312# BCNA​ Mez_BCNA​ Christina_BCNA​ Can you please look into this and kickstart strong advocacy for BCNA members currently on this drug? It would appear that AstraZeneca is withdrawing Zoladex, a breast cancer and endometriosis treatment, from Australia in November, citing commercial reasons. HOW UNFAIR THAT IT WILL BE RETAINED FOR PROSTATE CANCER, BUT NOT BREAST CANCER OR ENDOMETRIOSIS! There have been 94,000 prescriptions filled in the last 18 months. The higher-dose version, used for prostate cancer, will remain on the PBS. The dose used by women with breast cancer and endometriosis will not. Ashleigh Middleton, a 30-year-old breast cancer survivor from Melbourne, started a petition calling on the government to act. Swipe through to hear from Ashleigh, Kate, and Aimee, three of the women directly affected, and, if you want to help keep Zoladex available, add your name at the 'CHANGE' link below. https://www.change.org/p/keep-zoladex-3-6mg-available-for-australian-patients?Feeling overwhelmed
Hi thereAll I am 59, happily married, have two adult children. One grandson and baby no 2 due anyday now... Had surgery last week for lumpectomy and Sentinel node biopsy. Everything went well Saw surgeron yesterday . Lymph nodes are clear. Margins good. My issues is I am SO overwhelmed. Smiling for family. Smiling for friends. Little background. I had **bleep** cancer 10 years ago, back in 2016. Chemo and radiation. It was brutal. The burns were horrible. The exhaustion was the worst. Everyone is saying.... your so lucky you caught it early. You've done this before... you'll be right. Support is encouraging and I am lucky to be surrounded by lots of love. I am to be a grandmother again in two weeks and have a lively gorgeous 2 year old grandson. Timing suck.... I am overwhelmed with sadness I am overwhelmed With discourage, feeling of resentment. Feeling very isolated. **bleep** THIS CANCER... so sorry for language but it express how I feel. I want to shout. Cry. Hit something and hide under the covers and not deal with this. I know that I should be grateful. I am sick and exhausting from smiling on the outside, but paddling like hell of the inside. Hiding my emotions. I still work. Love the job. I work for a Toy library as assistant. Its not a stresing job. Only 3 days a week. They have been wonderful. How has everyone else cope. I know what I am going through is normal. Can anyone suggest a good cancer support group. I live in Victoria on the Mornington peninsula. Love and support to everyone going on this same journey Let's kick ass . Cancer sucks. Xxxxxx
Hormone inhibitor treatment decisions
Sorry this is a long post. 70 year old, between August 2024 to April 2025 diagnosed DCI, PR+, ER+, HR -, R partial mastectomy and reconstruction, radiation, Anastrazole(such awful, awful side effects ) 4 months then Exemestane 2 months. Completely crashed from side effects of Aromatase Inhibitors, had to stop multiple antidepressants in preparation for Tamoxifen, so crashed even further, quality of life so low only my family kept me here. Stopped Exemestane end of March couldn’t keep going. All this on top of Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, major long standing treatment resistant depression. Have been having positive ketamine pain management treatment and psychological support from onco-psychologist and with concerned calls from onco-endocrinologist and clearer mind realise have realised that i need to review my treatment decisions. I am still scared of restarting Exemestane but more afraid of Tamoxifen side effects. I’m due to see endocrinologist in 2 weeks to discuss what to do next but am appealing to you all to suggest some options or feedback so I go with as much information as possible.
