Hi there,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer just under 2 weeks ago, and it's been a bit of a whirlwind. From finding a small lump in early Feb which I was convinced would be a cyst, to being told I have a 4cm metaplastic grade 3 tumour.
Unfortunately one of the results from my 4 biopsies came back borderline (HER2) and I need to have another biopsy done, hopefully next week. I was in so much pain after the last time I had to take 2 days off work and didn't put a bra on or leave the house for 4 days. The oestrogen and progesterone results came back negative.
So I'm sort of in limbo right now about which chemo treatment regimen will apply until they get this result back. But they have also said that I could opt for surgery first, and I need to speak with the surgeon again to see when that would be possible, but with the size it'd likely be a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. The oncologist seems keen to do chemo first to shrink it, I suppose my reason for thinking of surgery first is that my breast is really painful (speed bumps are the enemy), itchy and uncomfortable. It wakes me from sleep if I roll onto it, I can't exercise and the constant pain is draining me. I also have multiple sclerosis, so my energy levels are already lower than most too. They took me off my HRT patches so my moods and anxiety are all over the place!
Can anyone recommend anything to help with the pain and itching? I use ibuprofen gel to take the edge off but honestly I feel like I'm carrying a baseball around in my breast all the time!
And I'd really love to hear any experiences of chemo first or surgery first and how that went for you.
Thank you for reading if you made it this far!
CC
Hi thara123
I can see from your profile that you had a primary bone cancer a number of years ago. I think CC1979 is looking to get support from people who have breast cancer, to understand their experience of surgery first or chemo first. Whilst it’s ok to support people at random on the site, most people will assume you are speaking from a place of similar experience and it may confuse them.
I notice you have made a lot of replies on different cancer types over recent days and wondered if you were struggling yourself? Is there something we can help you with?
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
Hi CC1979
I had surgery first for a grade 3 TNBC cancer. At the time I knew I would likely be having chemo anyway and the hospital seemed to recommend the order based on size of tumour and whether lymph involvement was suspected. One of the advantages of chemo first is they can judge whether you are responding to it or not, plus of course it might widen surgery options. Chemo first seems generally recommended when the tumour is bigger than 2cm. Recommendations like that are always evidence based.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. I met with the breast surgeon last Monday and was able to ask all the questions I needed, and I'm now more clear on what the path forward will be and why. Still waiting on the HER2 result from the repeated biopsy, I hope to hear some news this week. In the meantime I'll be in Spain enjoying my last holiday for a good while 
Hi CC
I hope you've been able to enjoy your holiday
I've also just had a biopsy on a large painful lump and am waiting results. The biopsy was horrendous so I totally understand your anxiety 
️. Really hoping for a clear result myself as they've already said I'll need a contrast mammogram to properly see the size of it. I'm going to arrange for a sedative this time - maybe you could ask for something if you need any more procedures?
What did you decide to do in terms of order? Did they give you a risk level for both options?
Good luck and hugs
Wizzer
