Video re Mets BC .... EVERYONE needs to watch it
My sister just shared this video on Facebook - this video went viral in 2015 in the USA and around the world, currently with 54,000,000+ views on Facebook alone. Holley Kitchen passed away in January, 2016, from Mets BC, age 43. 30% of those diagnosed with 'early, treatable, non spread' BC who have been told there is NED (No Evidence of Disease) will go on to be diagnosed with Metastatic BC - whether they have had their breasts removed or not. Most with BC are not made aware of this possibility in consultations with their surgeon or Oncs - but you NEED TO KNOW - so that if you DO GET unexplained ACHES & PAINS in the coming years - GET CHECKED OUT! It COULD be an indication of a problem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDQ0FjP7J-c And her follow up video a few weeks later - a 40% increase in awareness of Mets BC due to her earlier video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63yTZxj7FOk An interview with Holley Kitchen re Mets BC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijN11LLteTw There needs to be more research into Mets BC - to be able to identify it earlier & treat it better.
Still struggling with the word pre-cancer after DCIS mastectomy
I was diagnosed with low grade DCIS in my right breast in Nov 2019 and had a mastectomy in Jan 2020. I am 38 years old. I saw 2 specialist and both recommended a mastectomy because I am small breasted. Had an expander put in, awaiting for reconstructive surgery which has been postponed due to covid19. I am now clear without needing further treatment. My surgeon/breast care nurse/GP all refer to DCIS as pre-cancer and I struggle with this immensely because I need to feel that the choice I had made was justified and worth it. I lost my breast, it may be small but it was mine. This is not just about losing my womanhood, I felt I lost a part of me that made up the person I know myself to be. Because of this word I don't feel like I have saved my life, I didn't even have cancer. I know I should be grateful that I didn't have to go through radiation or chemotherapy or take any meds but to me a mastectomy is a very drastic treatment. How do you even explain it to other people? Nobody knows what DCIS is unless they have it, do I say I had pre-cancer? Is it wrong to say I had breast cancer? 5 months on and this is still keeping me from moving forward. At yesterday's Psychological Impacts webcast, someone asked Dr Tottman this very question and I was basically yelling at the screen "this is exactly how I feel!" So I now know there are others who are just like me. I hope to hear your stories and thoughts about how you are dealing with this particular issue.
My painting for my Surgeon
Hey creative buddies, I recently made this painting for my surgeon as a thankyou gift. I named this painting cosmic connection. I will be doing a lot more in the coming days while I enjoy my chemo journey :) Hopefully one day I can start my own exhibitions and sale my paintings to raise funds for everyone going through the breast cancer journey. I pledge to support all my cancer mates with anything little I can do to contribute. 😍
New member to the B.C Club
Hi all, I have been stalking this page for last few days and am in awe of all the amazing women on here and the sage advice you are all able to share. My story so far - l am 42 and mother to 3. I found a lump in my right breast 2 weeks ago. My G.P referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound and after reviewing sent me to my now breast surgeon. She confirmed it was a cancer and we now need to find out what type. Core biopsy results are in and l have an invasive Oestrogen positive lump grade 2-3 stage 2, Nodes appear clear. Recommend treatment is to remove lump first and then begin chemo. First l will have MRI and C.T to be sure l am clear everywhere else. Surgery wil be in next few weeks and then chemo to follow. I feel so much more positive having a game plan and will go into this with a can do attitude. I also know this site and all you wonderful warriors will be able to guide me through this and l hope as l travel along and learn the ropes l too will be able to offer that same support.
Reclaim Your Curves - Choosing Breast Reconstruction - Sydney Support Lunch Sunday 24 June 2018
Dragonfly Cafe, Eden Gardens, Macquarie Park 12noon to 3pm Come along and join us over lunch – a relaxed and informal setting in which you can ask any questions you may have, share any gems of information you may have gathered, and meet up with other women who understand and share a similar experience to yours. Look forward to meeting you. Annmaree and Rosemary
Bc at 39, changing docs and other joys
Hello to all the lovely and beautiful ladies on this forum. I have been reading comments for a couple of months now but have not yet posted. I was diagnosed in February with multifocal bilateral bc, HER-, ER/PG+, grades 1 and 2, stage 1 (only found out stage recently). I had skin/nipple sparing double mastectomy with tissue expanders on 1 April, 2 nights in hospital with 4 drains plus PICO dressing (which was put on wrong). I went private for the surgery but public for the hospital. At post op app I was told I would need another surgery for DCIS in left nipple. I felt smth wasn’t right and asked doc for different options. He refused everything else. I went to op but got slight fever while in prep so it was postponed. I ended up having extreme anxiety and depression, was unable to sleep and lost 6 kgs that month. I felt very unheard, unsupported and didn’t know anything about my cancer. I was paying privately to have consultations with my specialist, but instead I got the junior doc. I started seeing an onco-psychologist (wonderful woman), and my GP put me on anti anxiety and anti depressant tablets. I still wasn’t convinced about the surgery and felt time was being wasted waiting for anxiety to pass so I could have it, and thought there must be a better way, so I finally went for a second opinion (would’ve gone earlier but bc nurse told me I shouldn’t as it would be even more expensive so I was scared to). New surgeon (another wonderful woman) told me there were def other options and finally organised for me to see a fertility specialist (I’m 39), med onco and radio therapist all within a week. She said we can combine nipple removal with exchange surgery after treatment. Her practice manager sent me readings explaining everything related to bc under the sun. She explained everything about my cancer to me (incl stage), and all reconstruction possibilities including cons and pros of each. She even showed me an expander and diff implants. I finally felt informed, educated and empowered. I went from sitting on the couch, staring into space and crying all day to the way I was before - happy, talkative and looking after myself. I’m still coming to terms with my diagnosis and have bad moments. I decided against chemo and will start radiotherapy next week. I’m also getting Zoladex injections so I can start taking Letrazole after radio. I’m really scared of the side effects and just wanna run away and hide, but I am trying to be as brave as possible and hoping for the best. At least I now feel confident in my medical team. I used to be a very strong person, but bc I feel has made me weak and vulnerable. However I will continue to try my best. This forum and the ladies on it have become my best friends. This is where I sought solace when I was at rock bottom. All the supportive comments to each other have helped me find my strength, as we all share the same emotions and challenges. It has also been a source of invaluable information, especially during the time when I wasn’t getting any info from my first surgeon. Sorry about the extremely long post, it’s been a few months coming 🙂. I wish I could give each and every one of you a big bear hug in person. Lots of love to all Xxx MonAustralian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk
Approximately 10% of women have high breast density. At this point in time, thousands of Australian women are being denied important information about their breast health which could empower them to better understand and manage their risk of breast cancer. BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, Vicki Durston, says Australia’s approach to population-based screening is not keeping pace with growing evidence that supports routine reporting of breast density. This due to the absence of national reporting standards and a lack of software in publicly funded screening services that can effectively measure breast density. “Every woman has the right to know and understand her breast cancer risk through standardised breast density reporting,” she says. “For those identified as high-risk or with high breast density, it is essential that clear options and pathways are available to support early detection and proactive risk management.” Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is currently advocating for a unified national approach to reporting breast density through Australia's national population-based breast screening program – BreastScreen. Mammography images showing the difference between spotting cancer in a fatty breast (top) vs dense breast (bottom). It's like "spotting a snowman in a snow storm". You can read BCNA's media release via the link Australian women denied knowledge of their increased breast cancer risk Read ABC's feature piece on our advocacy efforts: Mandatory breast density reporting
Inspiration from Nightbird
For those of you who need some inspiration. This link takes you to a segment of America's Got Talent where a beautiful 30 year old woman sings her own song about her MBC journey over the last 12 months. The song, her voice, and her attitude is truly beautiful and inspiring (although a little bit sad). https://youtu.be/CZJvBfoHDk0Cancerversary 🍀
Hello lovely ladies. Today, on April Fools, I celebrate one year since my double mastectomy. Mixed feelings, for sure. It hasn’t been easy, that goes without say, especially with the whole surgeon saga happening. I’ve found out he left tissue behind in both breasts, in areas that were shown suspicious on the pre-surgery MRI. And he didn’t highlight those areas for pathology to check, so not sure what there even was there. He also refused to test further post surgery. Luckily my beautiful current surgeon is on top of it. However, I am still grateful that I had the surgery, as it rid me of those treacherous lumps in both of my breasts. I felt very happy after it, because my body knew most of the ‘evil’ was gone. So it’s definitely a positive thing, and I will celebrate in some small way. Emotionally, I’m so much better than what I was then, it’s hard to put in words. This forum had a lot to do with me getting better ♥️. It’s a special place 🕉. So did my current surgeon and her practice manager 💜💙. Anyway, to all the newbies, and all those struggling, it does get better. Hard to see that in the midst of despair, but nothing is permanent, so happiness and confidence will enter our lives again when we are ready to accept it and fight for it. Cheers to a cancer-free future 🤞🍀🥂
