Iv been diagnosed with cancer breast and armpit do u think il av chemo
Hello
I am sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I am glad you have got in touch with you feeling unsure about treatment and wondering if it is likely you will have chemotherapy.
Our Cancer Information Nurses would be best placed to discuss which treatments, in general terms, would usually be offered for certain cancers Magsy24, so we’ll ask them to respond below.
Have you been allocated a Cancer Nurse Specialist at the hospital at all may I ask? Often these can be known as a Macmillan Nurse or Keyworker perhaps? If so, your Specialist Nurse can be a valuable source of support for specific questions relating to your individual care, so do know you can also contact them if you feel you have been left with specific questions around treatment or any other aspect of your diagnosis or care.
It feels important to ask, has this been a recent diagnosis for you Magsy24? And how have you been managing; do you have plenty of support right now?
Please know we are here on the Macmillan Support Line as a place you can call for emotional support and a listening ear if needed. Our Cancer Information Nurses are also available over the phone for general medical questions, like the above, if you would prefer to speak directly with someone about this and other questions you may have. On the Support Line we also have our Money and Work Service on hand if you have questions or concerns relating to either of these areas going forward. We are here, 8am-8pm, 7 days a week on:0808 808 00 00 or via web chat if preferred.
Take care.
Take care,
Jenna
Information and Support Adviser
Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days
a week, 8am-8pm) or by email.
Dear Magsy24
My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I hope that the response from my colleague Jenna was helpful whilst you were waiting for one of the nurses to get back to you. As Jenna says the best person to speak to about your individual treatment is a Specialist Nurse. If you have been allocated a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Breast Care Nurse they may have further information about what to expect in terms of treatment.
The reason that we are unable to say whether you will have chemotherapy or not is because it depends on your individual diagnosis. We have information on treatment overview for breast cancer and chemotherapy for breast cancer which may help you understand what treatment may be suggested for you.
You mention that the cancer is in your armpit. Some people with breast cancer have cancer in the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this is the case, then it may be that chemotherapy will be discussed. Only your medical team will be able to say what would be the recommended treatment for you.
It is natural to have lots of questions. I hope this information is helpful and that you can discuss your questions with someone involved in your care. We are available on the support line 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) if you would like to talk things through with a nurse. Whilst we cannot predict what treatment you may have, we can help you understand the information that you have been given so far.
Best wishes
Penelope, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref/FM
