Breast cancer diagnosis

Hi 

Im sure you are in a whirl at present ? First thing I would say is not to think too far ahead and just deal with each stage as it comes along, otherwise you could become overwhelmed and at this stage you are still in the unknown /waiting part.

For early stage cancer , most is ER+ which means it is receptive to oestrogen , and at an early stage chemotherapy is not normally needed for this type.  So most treatment will be the surgery (usually a lumpectomy ) or a mastectomy with or without reconstruction , followed by radiotherapy (but not always needed with a mastectomy) and then hormone medication for 5/10 years. 

There are many other variables to this , all of which may confuse you at present , but you are probably looking at a lumpectomy (day case surgery) as your first part of treatment. The website Breastcancernow have lots of really useful and helpful booklets that you can download, so may be worth looking on there ? 

I was diagnosed over 5 years ago now and my path was not smooth , but many women have fairly straightforward treatment , you will find out more at your next appointment , but whatever the treatment plan it is all done with giving you the very best outcome for you.

Im sure more ladies will be along shortly who have had a more recent diagnosis than myself and who can offer you support and help.

Very best wishes

Jo x

Hi, sorry to hear of your diagnosis but happy you've posted on here.

I was diagnosed last July, I was nearly 47 at the time. I found my lump early, it was 1cm, and is ER positive.

I has a biopsy, then a lumpectomy and 6 lymph nodes removed at the same time, (luckily they came back clear)

I then had to have a 2nd operation to make the 2cm clearance margin a bit bigger, as it was still showing pre cancerous cells. 

Apparently this happens to about 20% of people. 

I was then given the news that it was all clear, thank goodness. 

My surgeon then recommended chemo, radiotherapy and tamoxifen, as a precaution, a just in case I had a rogue cell, but I'm homeopathic so I refused to have any more treatment. 

I'm feeling really well, really positive 99% of the time and back to my normal routine and life.

I would try and take every day as it comes, cry, scream and shout if you have too. I had emotions that came out of me that I didn't know I had, but I'm such a stubborn girl, that I wasn't going to let cancer beat me, so I carried on my daily routine as much as I could, and rested on the days I couldn't.

After my operation I used a heart shape pillow to get comfortable at night and took paracetamol if I felt I needed too. 

I hope you have good results, and you make a speedy recovery

Sending big positive hugs to you

Thankyou Jo this was very helpful for me as consultant mentioned these things also. Really appreciate you taking time to reply xx

Thankyou so much this sounds very positive. And as for emotions!! Wow crazy how tears can come from nowhere even though I'm quite a strong person but guess that's all part and parcel. Glad to hear your story and appreciate your message xx

I was diagnosed on 23rd November and on 30th December had a lumpectomy and a few lymph nodes removed. You get so much support from the breast care team, they've been amazing. I was so positive throughout, I just think if your not, it's mot going to change anything. I'm back to see the surgeon in 2 weeks, then will find out what happens next. Good luck x

Thankyou so much for your very positive message and so happy to hear your doing well. Take care xx