Society & Culture1 min ago
Potential Breast Cancer Treatment
64 Answers
I noticed a slight puckering/crease to underside of left breast. Immediately saw Dr who referred me to breast clinic.
After examination,mammograms and ultrasound they also took a biopsy. Waiting for results this Friday (13th!) but been told highly likely it's cancerous .
The lump is 7mm and they believe it's contained and we've caught it early which sounds positive.
I also have an MRI booked next week too.
In meantime welcome any advice or information of anyone in similar situation as what treatment I can expect. Assuming surgery and then possibly radiotherapy or chemo.
I'm 43, non drinker, non smoker and fit and active. No family history at all. I have one daughter who's 9 years old ( I did breastfeed for 6 months) and breaks my heart that I may not be around for as long in her life as I thought.
I'm trying to remain optimistic but going to be a long week waiting!
Is 7mm lump big in the cancer world? My GP couldn't find it nor the consultant initially only that the left breast felt bit different. They said I did well to find the creasing and caught it early. Only mammograms and ultrasound that showed up the lump.
Many thanks in advance x
After examination,mammograms and ultrasound they also took a biopsy. Waiting for results this Friday (13th!) but been told highly likely it's cancerous .
The lump is 7mm and they believe it's contained and we've caught it early which sounds positive.
I also have an MRI booked next week too.
In meantime welcome any advice or information of anyone in similar situation as what treatment I can expect. Assuming surgery and then possibly radiotherapy or chemo.
I'm 43, non drinker, non smoker and fit and active. No family history at all. I have one daughter who's 9 years old ( I did breastfeed for 6 months) and breaks my heart that I may not be around for as long in her life as I thought.
I'm trying to remain optimistic but going to be a long week waiting!
Is 7mm lump big in the cancer world? My GP couldn't find it nor the consultant initially only that the left breast felt bit different. They said I did well to find the creasing and caught it early. Only mammograms and ultrasound that showed up the lump.
Many thanks in advance x
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Gosh reading everyone’s stories has made me feel so humble, my daughter is a breast cancers survivor of nearly 8 years, she’s got 10 years of Tamoxifen ,not long now ,she’s brilliant and healthy, I recall crying when the diagnosis came ,sobbing and wishing it were me ,not her, she’s coming up 51 and is enjoying life with her family and us, CC, thanks for sharing and as Chris ( Buenchico) says, you’ll be here for your girl and any subsequent grandchildren , I wish you zillions of luck xx
Thanks Bobbisox1, so lovely to hear about your daughter and so pleased she's doing well.
And Buenchico, thanks so much for your information, that's all so useful and really does help me to know what to expect if my treatment goes down that route.and whilst it may differ from one to another it certainly gives me more info that I had before.
Slight update, I had called the surgeon today as had a few questions before making my final decision on surgery. My surgeon now has offered me another option, mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. They would still need to take a piece of skin away from where the lump is but otherwise keep skin and nipple and have an implant done at same time as surgery..
(Prev said could only be done with delayed reconstruction and removing whole breast making another from my stomach/back/leg muscle..)
This raised some more questions but also answered others so going in to see my surgeon on Tuesday for a discussion about the new options and then make final decision hopefully!
Only downside is if I chose the latest option , surgery would move back out a week as needs a longer surgery slot.
But nice to be presented with options.
Although this would be longer surgery, in long term may work out better as gets all the main surgery done in one go (though initial implant is replaced later on once radio and chemo done if needed but understand this is smaller proceedure )
From an aesthetic point of view this would look more like me so now swaying towards this option but will decide after seeing surgeon next week!
If there is anything else I need to consider then welcome to share, thanks all x
And Buenchico, thanks so much for your information, that's all so useful and really does help me to know what to expect if my treatment goes down that route.and whilst it may differ from one to another it certainly gives me more info that I had before.
Slight update, I had called the surgeon today as had a few questions before making my final decision on surgery. My surgeon now has offered me another option, mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. They would still need to take a piece of skin away from where the lump is but otherwise keep skin and nipple and have an implant done at same time as surgery..
(Prev said could only be done with delayed reconstruction and removing whole breast making another from my stomach/back/leg muscle..)
This raised some more questions but also answered others so going in to see my surgeon on Tuesday for a discussion about the new options and then make final decision hopefully!
Only downside is if I chose the latest option , surgery would move back out a week as needs a longer surgery slot.
But nice to be presented with options.
Although this would be longer surgery, in long term may work out better as gets all the main surgery done in one go (though initial implant is replaced later on once radio and chemo done if needed but understand this is smaller proceedure )
From an aesthetic point of view this would look more like me so now swaying towards this option but will decide after seeing surgeon next week!
If there is anything else I need to consider then welcome to share, thanks all x
Well, decision made. I'm booked in for lumpectomy on Wednesday morning.
Happy to be able to have made the decision finally.
This will almost certainly need radiotherapy after, chemo still TBC and will be confirmed at my follow up appointment in couple of weeks.
So apart from a few other appointments tomorrow and Tuesday for PCR swab, bloods and sentinel node scan I'm good to go Wednesday morning.
Out of interest surgeon said she will do a "wire guided" lumpectomy but insertion of a wire first. Anyone else had this done?
Hopefully update you all later in week after opp!
Happy to be able to have made the decision finally.
This will almost certainly need radiotherapy after, chemo still TBC and will be confirmed at my follow up appointment in couple of weeks.
So apart from a few other appointments tomorrow and Tuesday for PCR swab, bloods and sentinel node scan I'm good to go Wednesday morning.
Out of interest surgeon said she will do a "wire guided" lumpectomy but insertion of a wire first. Anyone else had this done?
Hopefully update you all later in week after opp!
Hi,
With the lumpectomy they said the boob being operated on will end up a little smaller due to the patch of skin they also need to take.
Because I'm likely to have radiotherapy which can shrink skin size they recommend waiting 6 months after treatment finished and then either can reduce the opposite boob to match or fill the affected one back to more it's original size!
Sometimes the difference isn't that noticeable in which case surgery may not be necessary. Typically the one being operated on is already slightly smaller , would have worked better other way around!
If I was going full mastectomy they could do recon at same time if I wanted with temp implant then permanent one after radiotherapy etc.
Hopefully lumpectomy proves successful and any difference is minimal, that said I'm greatful I have this option so now potential of slightly smaller boob seems less important tho may feel differently after opp!
With the lumpectomy they said the boob being operated on will end up a little smaller due to the patch of skin they also need to take.
Because I'm likely to have radiotherapy which can shrink skin size they recommend waiting 6 months after treatment finished and then either can reduce the opposite boob to match or fill the affected one back to more it's original size!
Sometimes the difference isn't that noticeable in which case surgery may not be necessary. Typically the one being operated on is already slightly smaller , would have worked better other way around!
If I was going full mastectomy they could do recon at same time if I wanted with temp implant then permanent one after radiotherapy etc.
Hopefully lumpectomy proves successful and any difference is minimal, that said I'm greatful I have this option so now potential of slightly smaller boob seems less important tho may feel differently after opp!
It's good to hear that you're moving forward.
I think that I've posted all I can about the actual treatments and their side effects but I will add just one practical bit of advice though, which is check up on the parking options for cancer patients at your local hospital. (That assumes, of course, that you'll be driving there!).
When I was undergoing chemotherapy, and then radiotherapy, at Ipswich Hospital a couple of years ago, patients visiting the cancer unit could get a pass for just £3 which entitled them to 10 stays in the reserved car parking area (irrespective of whether they were going to be there for just 30 minutes for radiotherapy or several hours for chemotherapy). That was a LOT cheaper than the regular car parking charges!
I think that I've posted all I can about the actual treatments and their side effects but I will add just one practical bit of advice though, which is check up on the parking options for cancer patients at your local hospital. (That assumes, of course, that you'll be driving there!).
When I was undergoing chemotherapy, and then radiotherapy, at Ipswich Hospital a couple of years ago, patients visiting the cancer unit could get a pass for just £3 which entitled them to 10 stays in the reserved car parking area (irrespective of whether they were going to be there for just 30 minutes for radiotherapy or several hours for chemotherapy). That was a LOT cheaper than the regular car parking charges!
CC I had a guide wire for my lumpectomy last year, It's not done in theatre but down by the radiographer in Ultrasound suite, inserted through your nipple and looped around the tumour - they ask you to hold onto that area not to let the wire out and then when you go to theatre the surgeon uses it to guide the tumour out, a bit like hooking a piece of thread over a skin tag - no bother.
C/c, take a deep breath and don't over-think the whole scenario. The guide wire is of minimal proportion - imagine a single fibre optic.
You have today to try and be calm and collected for your sake and the family. I wish you the very best as I should being a breast cancer survivor like Ducksie and many, many others. Have faith in your Surgeon and the team looking after you.
You have today to try and be calm and collected for your sake and the family. I wish you the very best as I should being a breast cancer survivor like Ducksie and many, many others. Have faith in your Surgeon and the team looking after you.
Hi all X
Quick update, from hospital.
The surgery went well Wednesday lunchtime and lump removed as planned.
Recovery didn't go so well, took me a long time to come around and went tachycardic with my heart going to over 150bpm.
They then spotted swelling underneath the surgery area so concerned there was internal bleeding.
I was taken back for emergency surgery Wednesday evening at around 10pm.
Survived the 2nd opp but have been kept in yesterday and waiting to see Dr today.
Actual surgery doesn't feel too sore just bit bruised and sore as expected,maybe I'm still on so many meds to notice.
Just waiting for my heart to calm down its better but still high.
Good news is lymph node tested during surgery is clear which is good news.
Just waiting for follow up appointment in 2 weeks to confirm surgery got the whole lump with good clear margin. Fingers X.
But been well looked after so very grateful even if my stay is longer than expected!!
X
Quick update, from hospital.
The surgery went well Wednesday lunchtime and lump removed as planned.
Recovery didn't go so well, took me a long time to come around and went tachycardic with my heart going to over 150bpm.
They then spotted swelling underneath the surgery area so concerned there was internal bleeding.
I was taken back for emergency surgery Wednesday evening at around 10pm.
Survived the 2nd opp but have been kept in yesterday and waiting to see Dr today.
Actual surgery doesn't feel too sore just bit bruised and sore as expected,maybe I'm still on so many meds to notice.
Just waiting for my heart to calm down its better but still high.
Good news is lymph node tested during surgery is clear which is good news.
Just waiting for follow up appointment in 2 weeks to confirm surgery got the whole lump with good clear margin. Fingers X.
But been well looked after so very grateful even if my stay is longer than expected!!
X
Little update following surgery.
I came home after 3 days in hospital and recovering well. (Slightly longer due to 2nd surgery and heart issues) .
I got my results last week and confirmed that lumpectomy removed everything they needed with clear margin so surgery successful first time. :-) They also checked additional lymph nodes and they're also clear too so it's all been contained to one area. So pleased.
Whilst I'm recovering, my tissue removed during surgery has gone to US for Oncotype DX testing (anyone else had this?) and waiting results -expected in next 2 weeks.
So whilst we know radiotherapy is certain, chemo is still tbc dependent on results of the test.
Have a check up on Friday with the surgeon then over to the oncologist to talk treatments when results ready.
Expecting further treatment to start in August or September. Hoping I may be able to just have radiotherapy so I could be done by end of summer but guess that bits out of my hands a little!
I also shared some photos of my symptoms on Facebook last week to raise awareness and had an overwhelming response with several people coming up to me on the school run and messaging me about it. So hopefully my experience has helped some others.
Anyway thought this may be useful to anyone else about to start similar journey
X
I came home after 3 days in hospital and recovering well. (Slightly longer due to 2nd surgery and heart issues) .
I got my results last week and confirmed that lumpectomy removed everything they needed with clear margin so surgery successful first time. :-) They also checked additional lymph nodes and they're also clear too so it's all been contained to one area. So pleased.
Whilst I'm recovering, my tissue removed during surgery has gone to US for Oncotype DX testing (anyone else had this?) and waiting results -expected in next 2 weeks.
So whilst we know radiotherapy is certain, chemo is still tbc dependent on results of the test.
Have a check up on Friday with the surgeon then over to the oncologist to talk treatments when results ready.
Expecting further treatment to start in August or September. Hoping I may be able to just have radiotherapy so I could be done by end of summer but guess that bits out of my hands a little!
I also shared some photos of my symptoms on Facebook last week to raise awareness and had an overwhelming response with several people coming up to me on the school run and messaging me about it. So hopefully my experience has helped some others.
Anyway thought this may be useful to anyone else about to start similar journey
X
Hello C/cars, have only just seen your update but I am really pleased for you that the op was so successful. Really good news for you and your family.
I have never come across biopsies being sent to "US for Oncotype DX testing" - does US stand for a university hospital rather than America? My biopsy, my sister's and friends' have all been done at the hospitals that operated on us, so I cannot comment on this.
Well done for sharing on social media. Awareness is everything these days in the successful treatment of cancer and sooner is so much better than later. The more the message gets around the more the survivors will be.
Good luck with the radiotherapy, it seems that doctors are are treating post op cases with this rather than chemotherapy where conditions allow. It really is no big deal as our goodly Sqad might well say. I mention Sqad as, hopefully, he may pick up on your feedback :) My best wishes to you.
I have never come across biopsies being sent to "US for Oncotype DX testing" - does US stand for a university hospital rather than America? My biopsy, my sister's and friends' have all been done at the hospitals that operated on us, so I cannot comment on this.
Well done for sharing on social media. Awareness is everything these days in the successful treatment of cancer and sooner is so much better than later. The more the message gets around the more the survivors will be.
Good luck with the radiotherapy, it seems that doctors are are treating post op cases with this rather than chemotherapy where conditions allow. It really is no big deal as our goodly Sqad might well say. I mention Sqad as, hopefully, he may pick up on your feedback :) My best wishes to you.
Thanks Choux
Yes really pleased how surgery turned out and physically recovering well.
Sorry yes when I said US I meant USA, not sure why it goes all the way to America but I believe this has come into practice last few years .
We should have results tomorrow.
I'm feeling ok about Radiotherapy because the side effects are less so and timing wise could be started and finished within next month or so.
Chemo obviously takes longer and has lot more side effects.
But I shall wait for results and go from there !
X
Yes really pleased how surgery turned out and physically recovering well.
Sorry yes when I said US I meant USA, not sure why it goes all the way to America but I believe this has come into practice last few years .
We should have results tomorrow.
I'm feeling ok about Radiotherapy because the side effects are less so and timing wise could be started and finished within next month or so.
Chemo obviously takes longer and has lot more side effects.
But I shall wait for results and go from there !
X
Thanks so much X
I had my Oncotype DX results back today. My score was 16 and said there was an 8% chance of reoccurance in next 9 years.
The benefit of having chemo was just 1%!
So no chemo needed, just Radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.
Waiting now on oncologist appointment but so happy I won't need chemo.
I had my Oncotype DX results back today. My score was 16 and said there was an 8% chance of reoccurance in next 9 years.
The benefit of having chemo was just 1%!
So no chemo needed, just Radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.
Waiting now on oncologist appointment but so happy I won't need chemo.
Hi all X
Not really a question anymore, but more of an update.
I finally had my oncologist appointment last week and they've offered me the "fast forward" radiotherapy of just 5 days instead of 15.
So super happy really and can't believe how it's worked out.
I always said from the offset if I got through this with minimal Surgery and radiotherapy I'd consider myself lucky and genuinely feel that still.
There's a bit of a wait time at our local hospital so may not have radiotherapy until September and due to wait time NHS here are outsourcing to some private hospitals.
But that aside I feel the ends in sight and hope for anyone else starting this road,it can also be a fairly quick and positive experience. The time I finish treatment will be less than 4 months since I first got checked.
I'm also on tamoxifen now daily for 5 years and so far so good but appreciate side effects may yet to come.
Anyway thanks everyone for your comments and support over the last few months. I hope to check in again once radiotherapy is done.
I'm always checking now that every little line or dimple is something suspicious,not sure that will ever go away really?
X
Not really a question anymore, but more of an update.
I finally had my oncologist appointment last week and they've offered me the "fast forward" radiotherapy of just 5 days instead of 15.
So super happy really and can't believe how it's worked out.
I always said from the offset if I got through this with minimal Surgery and radiotherapy I'd consider myself lucky and genuinely feel that still.
There's a bit of a wait time at our local hospital so may not have radiotherapy until September and due to wait time NHS here are outsourcing to some private hospitals.
But that aside I feel the ends in sight and hope for anyone else starting this road,it can also be a fairly quick and positive experience. The time I finish treatment will be less than 4 months since I first got checked.
I'm also on tamoxifen now daily for 5 years and so far so good but appreciate side effects may yet to come.
Anyway thanks everyone for your comments and support over the last few months. I hope to check in again once radiotherapy is done.
I'm always checking now that every little line or dimple is something suspicious,not sure that will ever go away really?
X
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