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 It is being withdrawn from BC patients' treatments in November 2026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?
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.
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.
LCIS on 1st year
Hi, last year in Mar25 I was diagnosed with a DCIS, I have dense (c) breasts. In Apr25 I had a lumpectomy and then 2 weeks of radiation. My 1st year review was Mar26 and now I have been diagnosed with an LCIS - pleomorphic. My concern is that the 1st report says L high-grade DCIS - HR immunohistochemistry is in progress a supplementary report will follow - that says Oestrogen receptor (ER) strong nuclear express in 60% of cells, PR is -negative <1% - however, assessment is hampered by the limited extent of the intraductal proliferation. E-cadherin immunohistochemistry pathology is underway to confirm a ductal phenotype, a supplementary report will follow. On the following report conclusion is LB, stereotactic biopsis, stromal microcalcifications and focal in situ carcinoma, features favour plemorphic lobular carcinoma LCIS over DCIS My surgeon advised if it was the DCIS he would be recommending mastectomy but as it is LCIS then lumpectomy (same as last year) but no radiation. I have since had an MRI so we can be more conclusive but my concern is the rate at which I have had a LCIS pleomorphic grow. I am considering a second opinion, has anyone else been in this situation. I am 62years old and other than the above I am generally healthy. I am seriously considering a mastectomy given my dense breast, what if something is missed, I don't want to keep doing this each year. After reading many of your journeys I appreciate that I am possibly one of the lucky ones but at the moment very confused. B
Newly Diagnosed
Hi My name is Victoria, I'm 42 years old and I have been newly (well, 5.5 weeks ago) diagnosed with breast cancer. It is is located underneath the nipple on my left breast and it is invasive ductal carcinoma, ER+, PR- HER2-, Stage Two. (Sorry if I don't have all the details but that is what I have interpreted it as). The tumor is 2.5 cm. I have seen my surgeon twice and I will be having a single mastectomy next week some time followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. We had discussed a lumpectomy so he could try and save the nipple but I opted for the mastectomy, just for a clean break. I'm dealing with it okay- I'm a bit concerned I haven't cried yet- and everyone else around me is very supportive and very shocked. I just wanted to introduce myself and hopefully be able to contribute something to these groups. Thank you Victoria
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.
Hormone Blockers
Hi. I was diagnosed with early invasive carcinoma with lobular & ductal features, grade 2, ER/PR + and HER2- on 3rd March. I had a lumpectomy on 9th March and subsequently developed a large - 94mm - haematoma which popped on 4th April and has been bleeding since. It is not losing much now, but still enough to have delayed radiation. There have been 2 unsuccessful attempts to drain it, but it remains solid. I am currently now scheduled to start radiation on 5th May and had the planning scan last Friday. I'm then due to start Letrozole 2 weeks after radiation finishes. My big concern at the moment is the Letrozole and the potential side effects. We have a 7 week trip to Europe booked to leave on 31st August and I'm terrified of side effects kicking in and affecting our holiday. There are plenty of stories on BC forums indicating how awful those side effects can be. What would you do?Just need to talk to someone
I’m 59yo and newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m really not sure I get what is going on either because I’m just slow or it’s just not all clear yet so I feel confused, in total panic and that I’m drowning and there is nobody to save me 😢 I am waiting for an mri this Thursday. I have a 10cm Not Special Type Grade 1 something positive to do with hormones and her2 1+. The surgeon says mastectomy is the only choice because of the size. There isn’t anything clear about what happens after that… is that how it’s meant to be? I just feel very lost appreciate any words of wisdom for these circumstances? susan
Radiation Therapy Omission
Hello, I have been informed by a radiation oncologist that I am at a increased risk of developing radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) from radiation therapy (RT) due to my having a connective tissue disorder. Following research around this I am currently weighing-up the risks and examining my options. I find the decision-making around this challenging and would like to invite members to share their experiences with: Decision-making around RT omission Experiences with RT omission Experiences with RIF e.g. immediate and late-onset effects Please include as much detail as possible. All comments are appreciated. Thank you, 🌷Klio
