Breast cancer diagnosis - treatment plan

Surgeons and oncologists are very different specialists and tend to stick to their own lane. The surgery team will always defer to the oncologists over the benefits and risks of chemo. When you meet with oncology, ask for the evidence behind their recommendations. 

Thanks for replying I will ask for the evidence, I’m hoping the oncologist will have this level of detail. I saw a general surgeon as well wasn’t the specialist breast surgeon just felt very fobbed off I don’t think it’s good enough we should be able to see oncologist the same day rather than waiting longer and trying to get our head around the curve balls we have to face. 

They need to allow time for you to heal before you can start chemo (if advised). I think from memory that my first oncology appointment was about 3 weeks after my surgery results appointment. I started chemo 2 weeks after that. I must admit I hadn’t been aware it would be a two stage process and had expected oncology to be part of the results meeting. In practice you need quite a long time with the oncologist whereas the surgery team were just quickly covering pathology results. Try not to stress about it. It’s not that they are changing their minds, it’s just different specialisms doing their jobs. 

Hi

Appreciate your worries. The waiting is thrn worst too. I had lumpectomy for breast and axillary 12 out of 24 nodes cancerous and was told I was 3c. Saw oncologist just recently and told with no uncertainty I need chemo and radio and hormone, as my cancer is oestrogen positive. Chemo starts in two weeks. 
Top tip? Talk to MacMillan help line nurses. They were so helpful qnd gave me so many good questions to ask oncologist

best wishes and good luck with appt 

I had a long wait for the oncologist - whom i saw on his first day in the hospital! Ive appreciated the chance to fully get my mojo back and enjoy a normal life, as far as possible. Ive a feeling that we need to be as fit as possible before this chaemo. And, being older, the three sugeries I’d had had knocked the stuffing out of me. 
ive got my pre-chaemo assessment next week now and then for both of us! We’ll get there!

Theresa x

Thank you for the tip this is very helpful and for explaining your own diagnosis I wish you well with the chemo. 

• Hi, I feel your anxiety....I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 5th Jan..... 3 lumps, 2 were HER2 positive and surgeon recommended mastectomy and 2 lymph glands removal followed by chemo and injections for the HER2. I had my mastectomy last week and appear to be recovering well.  It's the thought of chemo that is freaking me out but I don't even have a date yet when I need with oncologist. I guess I need the results of the lymph node biopsy too. So night after night I'm just fretting about what is yet to come. Reassuring to know others are on this journey too x 

I’ve had so many anxious thoughts. But then it hit me. At the end of the day?? All this treatment is to hopefully prolong life. So. Whatever it is. Let’s engage. And hope the angels are with us 

Indeed, before my diagnosis, I felt really well....so all this treatment is actually going to make me unwell, hair loss etc. Which I just can't get my head around. I have no idea how long it will la and questions for the oncologist are mounting up! It won't be pleasant but necessary so I'll be putting my big girl pants on and get on with it..... sending you positive vibes  

I understand how you are feeling I’m hoping by the time I’ve had the chat with oncologist I will have a good understanding and clear view of the treatment plan which maybe hard but accepting. I have wobbles daily and I think this is perfectly normal to see these comments is helping. Im sure like most we have a support network around us but it can still feel lonely at times as no one can really understand everything we are all going through unless you are in the thick of it. Xx