Advice off my moms diagnosis secondary breast cancer

We can support you emotionally but we can’t answer that question as we don’t know your mums medical details , where is the secondary cancer, what type is it, how advanced has she got any other medical conditions. My advice to you is write a list of questions you need the answer to and ask to go together to see her special nurse who can give you some advice. 
lymphodema shouldn’t make any difference to her life expectancy but she may need help from a lymphodema nurse. 

Hi Zach_d57

Sorry to hear that your Mum has been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. There is a Secondary breast cancer forum on this site which you can join if you want.  This is the link to click on if you want to join the secondary breast cancer forum.  Your Mum might like to join also to get support from others who have secondary breast cancer as well.  You can also ring the Macmillan help line on 0808 808 00 00. You can also e-mail them if you’d feel more comfortable doing that or you can chat online with a Macmillan cancer and information and support specialist.

Wishing you and your Mum the best of luck with her treatment.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Zach,

I have a daughter at uni with ADHD and autism, and understand how difficult it can be to process information without zoning out, and how hard it can be to read at times. I imagine this is the case as you obviously love your mother and worry can affect your concentration.  

If your mum has been sent copies of letters to her doctor from the hospital there should be information on them. There are lots if different treatments for secondary breast cancer,  but they vary depending on if it is hormone positive (the most common type), negative or if it is HER2+. 

Treatments include hormone tablets,  chemotherapy,  drugs to strengthen bones,  radiotherapy and many other new drugs too.  The hospital team will decide what would help her the most.

Lots of women live a long time with secondary breast cancer,  and new drugs are being trialled all the time. The easiest to control and most common place it spreads is  to the bones. Many women live 10+ years now with that,  and in that time it's expected that the new trial drugs will be available.  Do you know where it has spread or what type it is?

Sending hugs to both you and your mum x

Margaret

That’s true Margaret. A relative has had secondary breast cancer twice but it’s still alive and kicking. So don’t always assume secondary cancer is terminal cancer. 

Hello Zach_d57

I just wanted to let you know l have secondary breast cancer in my left jaw, my previous cancer was in my left breast over 20 years ago.  I was eventually diagnosed in June and am taking 1 tablet daily, soon after taking my first pill the pain in my jaw has lessened which is a great relief, l will be on the tablet for life, l was told my prognosis was good.  So l wish you Mum well.