I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer March 2024 at 32
I had 8 rounds of Chemo, a lumpectomy and 10 days of radiation. I stayed so positive throughout everything, just got on with everything, it didn’t phase me, I had to get through this.
I had a complete pathological response and just recently received the results of my first mammogram 1 year post surgery with nothing suspicious found. All of this is great news, fantastic I’m so happy the treatment has worked, I had gene testing done, no BRACA mutations and I also had a saliva test which could check other gene mutations that can cause cancer. Again nothing there. So my cancer is just a random event, no rhyme or reason.
But.. I just feel like I’m falling apart now, every little spot, ache, pain, random stabby boob pains my brain tells me the cancer is back, even though rationally I know it’s not. I’m obsessively checking my breasts every day for lumps and I’m fed up of feeling like this. Also not going to the hospital every 3 weeks to be checked and seeing a doctor, my life feels so normal now.
I guess my question is, does this get easier, how can I move on?
Hi, I was diagnosed with TNBC in October 24. I reacted so badly to chemo that it was cut short but the tumour had shrunk enough to remove it surgery March 24, Radiotherapy in May 24. Daily oral chemo from Sept 24 to Jan 25. Declared NED in Jan 25 and discharged from oncology. Like you, felt a bit weird about no further checks other than annual mammograms given TNBC aggression and recurrence rates.
I Started coughing in Sept 25. Mentioned in follow up appointed and they were very “no clinical evidence” of any issues but referred for Ct scan in Dec. This was very much a “peace of mind” scan, but it found that actually there was a nodule on my lung. Follow up PET scan indicates cancer. Now having a lung capacity test on Tuesday so they can determine next steps: be that biopsy or removal.
Until they biopsy we won’t know for sure whether it is primary lung cancer, secondary breast cancer or (slimmest of all chances) nothing. The way the are talking about it (not a smoker so unlikely to be lung cancer) makes me feel it is probably secondary breast cancer. This is obviously crushing at this time of year.
So, in answer to your question, I’d say stay vigilant and self advocate like mad. Take any test they offer, push them to take every minor ailment seriously. My cough might be completely coincidental to cancer they think but forcing the issue got the scan which may prolong my life. 
Good luck.
