Diagnosed yesterday and Petrified

Hellon Jojo

Sorry that it is here that we meet, but well done for finding this site. You will find the ladies here to be a source of strength and support.

I am sorry that I dont know what NST stands for. I am not medically qualified to give you information and you would be best to phone your breast specialist nurse on Monday or to the McMillan helpline, which i think is manned at the weekend. I assume G2 - is grade, 2 which is locally invasive but not spread beyond the breast/axilla area.  I think ER8 & PR8 mean that it is a hormone driven tumour which is promoted by the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. I believe that these tendencies are rated on a scale of 1-8, with 8 being the highest score. I also believe that anti-hormone treatment works well if these numbers are high.

This is the most difficult time for you as you are still waiting for tests and results and the suddenness and feelings of loss of control can be overwhelming. You sure as heck didnt sign-up for this.

All of us have had similar feelings. Have confidence in your team to come up with the very best treatment plan for you when they have all the information that they need. Breast cancer is not treated as one disease nowadays and your treatment will be tailored to the exact features of your BC. I know that this doesn't make the waiting any easier.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Use this forum as you will find it is a great source of info.

WallDug

Hi

WallyDug has given you some great information and advice.  I too think G2 must mean the grade 2 growth.  If it is, then it is medium growing.  ER8/PR8 is as said, relating to hormone receptors and tablets are the given treatment for this type of breast cancer for 5 years (sometimes 10 years)

NST means no special type, so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

It sounds as if it's actually fairly good news for you.  My diagnosis was similar.  I had 15mm Grade 2 cancer ER8/PR8 and I am 4 1/2 years in of taking the tablets.  I had a lumpectomy (they call it Wide Local Excision now), radiotherapy and then the tablets.  When they carry out the lumpectomy they usually take your sentinel lymph nodes from that side and check that there is no spread.  If there isn't, then you should be able to avoid chemotherapy - especially given your ER8/PR8.  HER2 negative is great news because if it was HER2 positive then this is an automatic chemotherapy route.

It is such a frightening time to be told you have cancer, but try to take each step at a time.  I honestly believe that the fear of what was going to happen was lots and lots worse than the actual treatment when I was diagnosed.   For instance, I had the lumpectomy operation at 4.15pm and was home by 7.15pm!  Incredible isn't it?  I was back at work 2 days later and driving 4 days later.  I'd also had 54mm of DCIS removed, so had 80mm removed from my breast.

I hope both our posts help to reassure you a little,

Kindest wishes, Lesley