Secondly breast cancer in lung

Oh I am so sorry to hear that you have had this to deal with now.  I think getting the biopsy results will give you the diagnosis as if it shows breast cancer cells then you know it has metastasized.  
I have been reading about metastatic breast cancer and for the Dr to say you may only have a year left is not an appropriate thing to tell you.  There have been so many breakthroughs and advances for MBC and that is so encouraging as women are living longer and longer.  I have seen some women 20+ years mfrom MBC diagnosis.  
You have a wonderful little boy who will give you strength and there is power in love.  Hugs to you and you too could best the odds and praying for you.

I know there will be many women on here who will give you a personal perspective and know you are not alone.  

I’m so sorry to read of your situation, to go through this with a young child is all of our worst nightmares. I couldn’t comment on your doctor’s prognosis, I hope by doctor you mean oncologist though, not your gp as the gp would not know at all. I agree with Hopeful Barb it’s strange they would say that without having seen the biopsy. I can share two stories with you.

Firstly, I had chemo with someone with metastatic breast cancer and she has been treated successfully for 10 years now, her cancer is still very much there, but has not progressed. Secondly, I have a friend who was told she had secondaries in her lungs, she was initially treated as having stage 4 breast cancer, when it was discovered some months later that in fact she had two separate cancers and BOTH were primaries. She has been successfully treated and has returned to work. 

There are other contributors on here who have metastatic BC so I hope they come on to share their stories with you, there is also a group for those with secondary BC (I’m useless at sharing links) and they may also be able to provide reassurance and guidance. I’d also recommend you talk to Macmillan about your diagnosis so you can get some support from them, I’ve spent some hours on the phone to the brilliant nurses on there who’ve really helped me. Lots of love to you, I hope the next stages of your diagnosis are swift and can give you more hope. But remember, every cancer story and patient is unique, you can be the one to defy a prognosis, plan for the worst but hope for the best. Lots of love to you, please let us know how you get on. There’s always someone here to listen xx

Hi, so sorry you're dealing with this.  I'd really encourage you to chat to the lovely folks at Macmillan or any local cancer support group. Is there a Maggie's centre near you?  You can call the team here, 8am to 8pm daily on 0800 808 0000 and they can listen, provide advice and support and just be there for you.  This is a lot to take in and I'd really encourage you to seek all the help and support you can.

best wishes 

Yes it was the oncologist who told me. I’m determined to fight let’s hope the biopsy sheds more light 

Hi, Sorry to hear what you are going through. Previous comments appear to have mistaken your diagnosis as "metastatic" breast cancer, when in fact your diagnosis is metaplastic, which is a quite rare breast cancer in one so young as yourself, and your secondary in your lung.

I had right sided breast cancer when young (age 40) back in 1990 which had spread to my axillary lymph glands.  Things have been fine up until August 2023 when I was diagnosed with left sided lung cancer. The Oncologists originally thought it was a secondary from my breast, as this has happened in a few women many years down the line after successful breast cancer treatment, but, the oncology team decided it was a primary.

I can't understand your oncology team saying the secondary lung tumour is "incurable" before a lung biopsy is done. There are several different types of lung cancer and nearly all types can be treated very successfully, as people on here can testify. Also, to say you may have a year left is so irresponsible when the type of lung cancer diagnosis is not known yet. That is the whole point of a biopsy, which is to determine what type of cancer it is and what treatment is best for the type.

My very best wishes to you, and good luck with your forthcoming lung biopsy. Please keep in touch with us all.

Ann 

Hi Penguin I am sorry to hear about your secondary cancer diagnosis.  It is really impossible for the oncologist to predict you only have a year. With secondary breast cancer you can live for many years.  I have secondary breast cancer with mets in pelvis, hips, ribs, spine and skull.  I was diagnosed one year ago and this time last year I was wondering if I would see Christmas.  This year I know I will see lots more Christmases.  The treatments for this have evolved and improved and keep on improving and new treatments and trials coming out all the time.  It does also have a lot to do with your mental attitude and I am so glad to hear that you are determined to fight.  There is a forum on here called Living with Incurable cancer-patients only.  This is a great forum for us incurables and we all support each other.  It is great not to feel alone and we are all in the same boat.  Anyway good luck with your biopsy and sending you hugs.  You have got this.

Lee x

 Sanguinesse I understand she has metaplastic BC, but she also has metastatic BC which is also known as secondary breast cancer or cancer that has spread beyond a primary source. I wasn’t confused. 

Thank you I’ll take a look. They plan to do the biopsy next week and then hopefully start me on sacituzab govitecan. The problem is that as the cancer came back when I was on Capacabine isn’t good as that should have stopped it in its tracks.

we will all fight as long as we can and will pray pray for new breakthroughs

I have secondary breast cancer and it's in my breast, armpit and lung. I haven't got a clue what your oncologist is thinking,  giving you a prognosis when they haven't even done the biopsy. 

It's hard but you have to stop panicking as absolutely nothing is 100%. I assume we're missing a lot of information here such as grade and treatment options given your type.

I've taken a two pronged approach.  1. Practicalities - admin such as will, advanced planning etc and 2. Rebuilding a life that doesn't completely revolve around cancer - nutrition,  hobbies, exercise,  relaxation etc

Perhaps focusing on the practicalities will help give you a sense of control.  You may also benefit from a therapist so you can talk things through and get things out.

There's a charity, Make 2 Seconds Count who offer a free session with a nurse that specialises in clinical trials/treatment you might find helpful:

https://make2ndscount.co.uk/support/clinical-trials-service

There's a BC Charity called Future Dreams who offer services online if you can't get there such as counselling,  specialist nurse, relaxation techniques etc If you're on a low income they offer some services free:

https://futuredreams.org.uk/

These are just suggestions and what's currently working for me.

I am sorry you and your son are going through this, also sorry your oncologist decided to be a doom monger. I don’t know how he/she can give a prognosis given the treatment they are putting you on (sacituzumab govitecan) is a relatively new drug, so there isn’t much data beyond the clinical trial data. My cancer isn’t metaplastic, but it is metastatic TNBC and I have been living with this diagnosis since 2022. Hoping you get a good response to treatment.