Breast cancer and lymph nodes

Hi Jojo1968,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Gail, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line. Welcome to the online community.

Getting the news about a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. It can cause lots of mixed emotions not only to the person who has been given the diagnosis but also to the family and friends who love them too.

We understand as a mum it can be more difficult, trying to understand your daughter’s diagnosis and treatment plan. I’m glad you’ve decided not to google but rather reach out for support and to ask for more reliable information.

Systemic treatments are frequently discussed for treating stage 3 breast cancer. When the cancer cells are found to be in the lymph nodes, systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, Immunotherapy or targeted therapies can be most beneficial as these treatments go through the bloodstream, destroying cancer cells in their path.

The doctors will often discuss using a combination of these treatments too as they each work differently in attacking cancer cells and can be an effective treatment plan. When the doctors decide to use these treatments together, it’s not necessarily because the diagnosis is worse but because they believe it will be most beneficial.

Her medical team will often discuss the benefits of these medicines with an aim to treat with curative intent and trying to prevent recurrence. They take into consideration your daughter’s age and health when making these decisions, trying to effectively treat the cancer now. Our information about questions to ask may help at your daughter’s next appointment to gain more clarity from her team.

It sounds as though you are great support to your daughter and grandchild, but it’s important to look after you too. There are charities, such as Fruit Fly Collective that offer support and information for children. I wonder if it may help to have a look at their website too.

Here at Macmillan, we’re aware of the worry and concerns this may have on family members and so we’re here to support you as best we can throughout this time. If you feel it may help to talk to our nurses directly on our support line, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I hope this information is useful.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Ref: amcg/kr