MASTECTOMY PLANNED FOR RECCURENCE AFTER 8 YEARS

Hi C

No advice or pointers. Just a hello. I was twelve years clear then got a recall letter. 

I had lumpectomy and radiotherapy last time followed by five years tamoxifen. They didn't offer me it for any longer.

It's all so familiar this routine of test wait, operate, test and wait. But it doesn't make it any easier. 

I'm beginning to think the issue is just that we are female. Not overweight, or drinkers, or stressed or whatever.

I'm scared of a change to my appearance which is ridiculous. I've had odd blobs for 12 years. So understand.

Keep in touch. Remember we've done it once, so we can do it again.

Love

hi both   Cannabehelped and

I'm four years post treatment, 2015 to 2019 and for me it does seem to have a certain inevitability about it.

G cups might need addressing sooner rather than later to even you up, some hospitals now seem to be a bit unsympathetic to the cosmetics after the event, even though they seem to be very sympathetic leading up to surgery. 

I'm not sure if it's a funding issue but it could well be and even if you don't feel up to a reduction right away at least get an agreement in your notes for 12 months or something. 

It's the principle that's important. 

Why us?

We are female and it is that simple, I was going to post this to the chap in the other group because I felt it was important.

Men are not lectured on how they caused their cancers like women are .

Read up on prostate cancer as if you were a newly diagnosed man, it's down to a rogue gene or a rogue cell and it's not your fault. 

Us, we're told it's because we're doing something to bring it on ourselves, it's really unhealthy and unhelpful, my husband took it literally and blamed me for getting breast cancer. 

Carolyn

xxx

Hi Carolyn28

Although I'm not a member of this group I noticed your post and that you said women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are told that "we're doing something to bring it on ourselves". This is absolutely appalling if doctors are saying this. What do they think we're doing that causes breast cancer?

x

hi latchbrook

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/12136938/Do-as-I-do-think-about-cancer-before-you-have-a-glass-of-wine-says-chief-medical-officer.html

we had to listen to this on Radio 4 whilst travelling to the hospital ...

huge row ensued

it's not usually the doctors, although I have heard rumours, mostly with large breasted women which is not just down to a few extra pounds or sedentary lifestyle, some women have big boobs and there's not a lot they can do about it.

It's the press and government guidelines mostly. 

If the press run any article it's always lose weight and drink less and take regular exercise that make the headlines but that's going to vary enormously person to person. 

Obviously if you're going to issue guidelines they are going to be very very general and generally speaking staying fit, drinking in moderation and eating sensibly is just good advice but when you load that on to a breast cancer diagnosis when people are asking WHY ME or families are asking WHY US this floats to the top of their minds and that's when recriminations start.

top risk factors are

1. being a woman  (men are at risk but it is very small compared to the 1 in 8 for women)

2. getting older  (yes, young women do get breast cancer but again it is a small percentage of the total)

3. genetics, not just the one they've found, BRCA, it is about a rogue cell or rogue gene, it really is that simple.

4. Dense breast tissue, this is me and as soon as I had kids it was clear this was a major issue, everyone fixated on it.

5.  ... I'll let you read the list ... but for me I'd say stress was a large contributing factor, your body doesn't fight as well when it's stressed

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/risks-causes/risk-factors

they could switch those lists around too, start with the stuff you can't change to reassure you it's not your fault.

it's still very general

I read an article that suggested that women in certain west African countries don't get breast cancer because they don't drink ...

they also don't use cleaning products containing harsh chemicals in confined spaces in our hermetically sealed homes

nor do they wash in SLS every day, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, hand wash etc

nor do they use synthetic air fresheners ...

shall I go on ?

Their life expectancy is limited not by breast cancer but by lack of access to healthcare or good nutrition or war or violence 

I need to baste the chicken

rant over    for now

Carolyn

xxx

Hi there

I can understand how you feel.

I was 28 years clear and I went for a routine mammogram come back unclear felt sick for two weeks waiting biopsy and it was in the same breast 6mm grade 2.

I too went through radio chemo offered tamoxifen but was very young so said no thank you.

I have just had a mastectomy as I had the lumpectomy then and now waiting for my sentinel lymph results so hoping all clear, then if so letrozole tablets for 10years as it’s oestrogen positive.

Your results look good so fingers crossed it’s clear and a good outlook.

Feeling very positive personally only thing that can get done.

Try not to beat yourself up, I refused Tamoxifen as I wanted to have children and didn’t want to go through an easy menopause in my 20’s.I made the right choice and it’s vome back same breast different area maybe it’s a recurrence but doubt it.Just don’t want it a third time!

Good luck and take care

Carolyn28

Thanks for the links Carolyn, which I've taken a look at. 

I'm glad to hear it's not the doctors. I had this image of doctors saying to men "it's not your fault" but to women "well if you hadn't done this you wouldn't have got breast cancer"!

We all know that there are certain things that could make you more at risk but you're right, they could put the list the other way around with the things you can't change at the top. 

Enjoy the roast chicken!

x

Hi all

I've been 12 years clear and was diagnosed with IDC two weeks ago.  I'm having double mastectomy on 5th July.   I agree the waiting is rubbish.  I'm very tired too, not sleeping well, and I am irritable and anxious.

My friends are being very supportive but I'm afraid my family are not so.  I feel very upset by their attitude which seems to be that my situation is no great shakes.  I suppose I'm also very sensitive at the moment, every little thing makes me very teary which isn't me at all.

There's nothing we can do about waiting.  We just have to keep ourselves occupied and get through it.

Love to all those 'waiting'.

Oh

big hugs.  I find many, and especially family, don't know how to support us.  My biggest support has come from friends who I can tell it as it is.  Family I try to protect and so they think I am fine and don't need support.  

Everything is such hard work isn't it?  Try and do some things you enjoy during the next 2 weeks.   Treat yourself.  It helps a bit.  And good luck with OP- hope all goes well xx

I think it was last year that my employer, a local authority was facilitating a talk by some cancer organisation about how we could prevent cancer.  I think I posted on here!  I was outraged and complained but they never responded to my complaint but didn’t see the talk publicised again. 

I think stress a major factor in getting any serious illness.  In 2011 my hubby finished work due to ill health so I went back full time to relieve financial pressure then in 2012 my sister died of brain tumour- she had also been through period of stress.  

After I was diagnosed in June 2015 I then broke my leg after finishing radio therapy and then a year later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  The symptoms come on rapidly !  Then in 2018 my hubby had serious accident and 6 months later my annual mammogram not clear snd had to have biopsy which thankfully was clear.  During all this stress my diabetes which I normally have very well controlled has been uncontrollable!  Even after an 18 hour fast my sugars wouldn’t drop!  Plus because my sugars not controlled I’ve put on a stone even though no change in diet but due to way diabetes work if sugar high your body produces more insulin which isn’t used as your body doesn’t recognise it so it stores it as fat!  Of course probably people just think I’m eating more or eating wrong!  

Hi    Thanks for your reply.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one with an unsupportive family.  My friends are absolutely brilliant and in particular one couple who I just could not do without.  I feel very lucky to have them.

It is hard work, you're exactly right.  I don't remember it being so bad last time but I was 12 years younger then and in a different situation.  Pre op assessment tomorrow and then im on the run in.  Got loads to do next week.  I live on my own do need to get organised with foid, washing etc.

Thank you for your hugs they make me feel better.

Sending you hugs too and hoping you  are doing well.

Jan xx