Hello everyone.
I'm new and have joined the forum as I have just received a shocking diagnosis of breast cancer a few days ago and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. I'm looking to connect with people who understand and have been through it, as feeling quite alone and isolated and struggling to process the suddeness of this diagnosis.
I have been physically active and fit over many years and my diet has been clean most of the time, never drank or smoked and always was a healthy weight. No immediate relatives with breast cancer although a maternal aunt had it. So this diagnosis has come out of nowhere for me as I had no lumps that any doctors could even feel, I was referred just because of my age (41) and because I had noticed a very subtle change in the appearance of my breast. I'd never had any problems or a mammogram before.
I'm still at the diagnosis/treatment planning stage of the process but ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy showed stage 1, grade 1 IDC, which is ER+, PR+ and HER2- which I have been told is highly treatable. My next step is to have a contrast imaging test to rule out any further tumours in the right breast (as I have 2 close together that they have found) and I am feeling anxious that there is a possibility that more may be found.
I wanted to ask how common it is that more can be found in dense tissue that could have been missed in initial imaging/scans? I'm afraid of the stage/grading changing as it's soon already going to be a month since I had my biopsy done and I can't help but worry about it spreading to my lymph nodes during the wait (they showed as clear on the ultrasound scan).
I guess I'm just looking for guidance and reassurance as I never imagined I'd find myself in this situation, it really has blindsided me and my family and I have been told it could have been silently growing over many years which is terrifying. New to all of this so would really appreciate connecting. Thanks so much.
Hi MiaMarshmellow and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your BC diagnosis.
I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years…. first diagnosed at 43 with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable) then Asbestosis and Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated…….
…….. support group.
This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
To connect in with the group please click on the link above……. then once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
Happy to help….. yes I have had some challenging years but I am still here living as good a life as any healthy 70 year old can live.
