Breast cancer diagnosed not on mammogram

So pleased for you! My cancer was er+ and originally was having a lumpectomy but after having a mri I was told I needed a mastectomy which I then followed with axillary node clearance, I about to have my 4th if 6 chemo treatments followed by 5 bouts of RT then tablets for 5-10 years, I so grateful I’m cancer free, confirmed by pet scan but think it could of all maybe of been avoided but can’t go back only forwards, so onwards & upwards! Xx

Hi I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago with occult breast cancer as no lump showed in the breast but with metastatic axillary lymph node of 6cms.  MRI showed that more nodes are involved but still nothing showing in the breast.  I then had a PET CT scan to see  if this would help as the bone scan showed hotspot in spine. This was all from a routine mammogram which showed the outline of the axillary node. 

The waiting and not knowing is the pits. 

Your right, the waiting is horrendous, your mind really plays games with you, even after both my surgeries I was worried sick about having a pet scan, never felt so relieved & overwhelmed when I was told I was definitely cancer free and that the rest of my treatment was adjuvant, really hope you receive some positive news, your stronger than you think and will deal with it, one day at a time, take care xx

I am so happy for you to had positive news. xxx

Hi Vod

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with occult breast cancer.  The waiting and not knowing is the worst part of having a cancer diagnosis.  Hopefully you will receive some good news from the PET CT scan.

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Yes - lobular - I found a lump and was in pain and my bipod was pulling in and was sent straight to the breast clinic but nothing showed on the mammogram and I was sent away and told to take painkillers (the assumption was made that I’d been hit/kicked/had some kind of impact to cause the hard tissue even though I said that hadn’t happened) and that nothing was wrong. 5 months later after crying down the phone to the hospital and GP as I was still in pain I was diagnosed. They just kept looking at the mammogram and saying I wasn’t s priority.  I understand that it’s hard to see on a mammogram but it is the second most common breast cancer so I do feel the breast clinic should have been more on the ball. I’ve had an apology but I’ll never know how much difference that 5 months would have made ….