Hello, I found out I had breast cancer 5 days ago, and I am struggling to come to terms with everything that comes next, it feels like it's happening to someone else at the moment.
My biopsy was 2 and a half weeks ago and they have said that at that point it is / was stage 1 and hasn't spread to my lymph nodes. I'm concerned that 2 and a half weeks have passed since then, and it is HER2 positive cancer which is apparently aggressive, and it feels the lump is already getting bigger.
Is there any chance of me starting my treatment plan quicker?
I was/am in a similar situation. Everything (tests, results,action) has been at 2week intervals pretty much, including a CT scan. It was a grade 3 cancer but one sentinel node was affected so they have to take the lot out. They will count affected nodes then. More than 3 it’s chaemo, less than 3 it’s the Oncatype test and a decision based on that. With a Grade 3 cancer, I am resigning myself to chaemo either way but it’s still possible there won’t be any spread there at all. I dont know how reliable the Ultrasound can be compared to lab view.
It would be reassuring for you to have a date for the op, at least. Can you ask the Macmillan nurse what the av wait is between biopsy result and lumpectomy? I was given the date when the biopsy results were given to me.
However, I dont feel my own waits will have affected outcomes and treatment types very much, if at all. Not compared to the delay in spotting the thing to start with!
It is a shock but you are not alone. A bit of space to let it sink in, to tell people and get your head round it all isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Good luck.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007