Stage one invasive ductile breast cancer at 43

Hi sunflower,

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, but it's great news that you won't need chemo. I was diagnosed last summer and after chemo, radio and 3 operations, I am now 5 months post treatment.

The mental side of cancer is tricky to manage at times, particularly for me in the beginning when my brain was in shock and I was trying to compute how my own body could do this to me! I remember feeling like my life would never be the same and having so much fear that the cancer was still there or that it would come back. For me what helped a lot (and still helps hugely now) is to think about the positive things I can do to reduce the chances of it coming back and to help any treatment work better. So I try to eat very healthily and get lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains etc, to keep up with lots of regular exercise and to get regular sleep each evening. I accepted the fact that my cancer could come back and I cannot control that, but the things I can control to help to minimise my risk, I do. That way, whatever happens I'm at peace with myself knowing that I did my best.

I think time helps too. It's all such a shock in the beginning so give yourself time to adjust. All the appointments, scans, operations, uncertainty is a huge rollercoaster. Once you have a plan in place and start getting on with treatment, there is less uncertainty and chaos and it is easier to manage.

Have your doctors mentioned if your cancer is ER, PR or HER2 positive? If you have one of those receptors, you could be offered a medication to take after radio to reduce your recurrence risks too!

Best of luck with everything!!