Breast Cancer

BRCA1

Angi — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:28:39 GMT

I would like to know if there anyone who is positive for BRCA1 gene and facing a double mastectomy in the near future. I would like to know what to expect with reconstruction.

Also, maybe some advice on what to expect with the first chemo treatment.

Angi

breast cancer

teacher55 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:57:04 GMT

I was just told I have breast cancer recurrance in the left lung...very close to the originial site...I had breast cancer 18 years ago...I was so comfortable thinking I was a suvivor that the thought of a recurrance was not in my thoughts at all...now I had my first PET scan...a gentic work up ...and markers being taken...I see the dr. Friday for the treatment plan...worried...yes I am...not sure what to expect...he did mention a pill femara I think that is the spelling...but needed to know if estrogen is involved...I had a hysterectomy in 94...where would the estrogen come from...?Teacher55

One breast mastectomy

sassysurvivor — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:53:51 GMT

Looking for thoughts on coping. I have IDC of the right breast. I did chemo first and then on September 29 I had a modified radical mastectomy of the right breast with axillary disection. The surgery went really well with good clean margins. Then of 27 nodes only 4 were cancer. I'm thankful for that.

I will have radiation so I did not have reconstruction. I'm looking at living with one breast for at least 6 months maybe more. I am a large breasted woman (DD) I do not have a prostheses yet so I am using a foam form right now. I can't get comfortable and get the two sides to look equal. This causes my to panic and I have a lot of axiety about going out in public.

Any thoughts on coping? Does anyone else find they have axiety atacts when in public?

Breast cancer

captnana — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:41:33 GMT

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 23 and had a lumpectomy (large) on Mar 3. I have been getting chemo since then and was told I had a Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This week, I went to get my pathology reports and I received a shocker. I had two types of cancer cells (comedo and cribriform) on the report and that it had invaded from the duct into the stromal. I was never told any of this, I was told I had DCIS. I am getting Cytoxan, Taxotere and Neulasta and I would like to be sure these drugs are what I need to prevent a return of the cancer. The doctors told me they are giving me what they think is the best treatment, since they aren't sure how to treat my kind of cancer. Is there anyone out there who has the same problem I have? Pleas help me if you can. Thanks.

Concerned

GrammyB — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:02:01 GMT

Hello,

I'm new here and was diagnosed with bc in June. Had a bilateral mastectomy in July and have just started chemo. Had my first treatment 2 weeks ago. I had most of the side effects except the mouth sores, but am doing great now. My concern is this: I was laid off from my job in March and diagnosed in June. I have been looking for a job but folks seem to not want to hire me. I'm not sure if the reason is the cancer, or if it's other reasons. I find myself getting rather depressed over all of this since I have run out of money, have no prospects for a job, and am 50 years old. I would really like to work, but just cannot seem to get one. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks for any help...

Grammy B

Lymphedema

lilyofthevalley63 — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:32:08 GMT

I had a mastectomy last November and so far do not have lymphedema. There is a new study showing that weight lifting helps those who do have it. I am wondering if it might also help prevent it. I was told that I should wear my compression sleeve whenever I use my arm a lot such as for skiing or playing golf. But when I wear it for more than a few hours it seems to cause my hand to swell up a bit, perhaps from the restriction. Does anyone know if wearing the sleeve also helps to prevent lymphedema?

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Diandanner — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:37:24 GMT

Is anyone out there dealing with metastatic breast cancer? I have been on various chemos for the last 3 years with mets to the bones, lymph nodes and liver, and the cancer seems to progress a little more with each Pet Scan. I can find no support groups for metastatic breast cancer. I so want to talk to others who are going through this.

Thanks, Dian

Triple-Negative

HolliGoog — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:27:18 GMT

I was diagnosed with "Triple-Negative" BC in Jan. 2009. Any Triple-Neg sisters out there?

Radiation

Swan61 — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:59:21 GMT

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, tubal carcinoma. It did not spread to the lymph nodes. My treatment is 36 treatments of radiation. I am going to try and keep working throughout my treatments. I would like some advise on how to keep up my strength. I have started walking and trying to eat right. Any advise would help!

Sue

Chemo

sassysurvivor — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:09:40 GMT

Hi all. I am newly diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. We are going with Neoadjuvant chemo (before surgery) Has anyone had any experience with this or know anything about it? I'm having my port surgery early thursday and will have chemo that same day.

understanding the fears of waiting for news of yes or no breast cancer and signs and symtoms info

bonnieblue — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:41:42 GMT

im 44 yrs old just had my first mammogram and needed to follow up with a mammogram and also an ultrasound on my right breast the found a spot also over the past year i have discovered that what i thought was a pimple or clogged milk duct i squeezed it and a reddish brown fluid oily feeling came out ive searched for this symtoms and not much feed back looking for someone who has or has personally experienced this please their telling me 9 out of 10 there is nothing to worry about but it is hard not to please if someone has some info or feed back id be very interested in hearing it thank you bonnie blue

breast cancer

harleydee — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:01:41 GMT

I was diagnoised in feb of 2009 and underwent a masecotomy. after surgery, tests were done and I was found to have stage 3 breast cancer. my husband and I had just moved from our home town 500 miles away. being told I had cancer and being so isolated has put a toll on me. Im not much of a group person so have never attended a support session. I thought this would be a good way for me to share and read others experiences. I am currently receiving chemo. This whole thing is so scary.

Soy fiber

echang — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:14:04 GMT

I am a breast cancer survivor and I'm not supposed to have soy. Is it OK to have soy fiber?

Thanks!

treatment options

mountainrose — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:11:35 GMT

My X was diagnosed her with stage 3 breast cancer that measured 5 cm last fall. She arrived at St Josephs clinic in Acuna , Mexico (outside Del Rio Texas) in October of 08. She had an independent MRI = done in Texas about a week ago, after the clinic told her their sonogram showed the tumor measures 3 cm now.
The MRI says it measures 2.6 cm. now. The treatment is all natural. St Josephs says that with stages 1 though 3 their cure rate is about 98% . Once you get into stage 4 it's 50/50. the less chemo/radiation you have done prior to going there the better your chances. And her US insurance company picked up 2/3 of the cost of her treatment there. they have 2 MDs on staff, one a US doctor and his Mexican counterpart.

While down there we found there are minimally invasive cancer treatments available in the US.

1. Cryotherapy. MD Anderson outside Detroit has been freezing and killing cancer tumors for 5 years.

2. Scrips hospital in San Diego uses fiber optic rods that are inserted directly in the tumor, then they fry it with a laser. it's all done outpatient. A friend of mines mother had it done on her last year at Scrips for her breast cancer and she is fine now.

3. Brachytherapy. involves inserting a tiny piece of radiated metal in the tumor and radiating it.

4. Cancer Centers of America, outside Chicago is using targeted chemo. where the chemo is injected directly in the tumor.

5. Dr Isaacs and Dr Gonzalez out of NYC have been using enzymes to treat cancer. the treatment is FDA approved and administered orally

Hope you never need it but the above is good stuff if you ever do

Arm mobility after mastectomy

bcarroll — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:58:17 GMT

I had a mastectomy with reconstruction 11-5-08. I am still having trouble lifting my arm over my head. I can't get my elbow over my shoulder. I have been active and doing exercises. I thought that by 3 weeks, I would have more mobility. Am I not doing enough exercises? Am I expecting too much too fast? I don't know if I am on track with my mobility or behind. I don't want to have to go through physical therapy. I am due to return to work 6 days, and don't know if I will be ready. The tingliness in my arm and torso drive me nuts. Anyone else have similar experiences?

How is mesothelioma treated?

flamingjone — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:23:07 GMT

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

movie about the drug Herceptin

LeftaOut — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:00:36 GMT

Hi everyone... I know I'm new here and I hope i'm not being intrusive, but I heard about this movie, Living Proof, that will be on lifetime tv tomorrow night (the 18th) at 9pm. It’s a real touching true story based on the book Her-2, which if you don’t know is about the oncologist and researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon, and his struggle behind developing the drug Herceptin and getting it approved. As a result of his efforts thousands of lives have been saved. I think it will be a touching movie and I wanted to share it with everyone here. There is more information right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0F__IfeUXg

Heart function affected by Herceptin

barbmiller — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:56:57 GMT

I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. It was HER2 positive and I was given Herceptin. I had a MUGS scan last week and my heart function is now 43. I have been taken off Herceptin for 3 months. Has anyone else been affected by Herceptin like I was.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Diandanner — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:21:04 GMT

Hello all: I am new to the message board, and hope I am doing this right. I am 69 years old. I was diagnosed in 2006 with metastatic breast cancer to my bones and lymph nodes after being in remission for 8 years. I have been on Zometa for two years and Abraxane was added in January. I wondered if anyone has had any experience with Avastin. I know there has been great success with it, but it also has severe side effects, such as stroke and heart attack. I was wondering if this drug has been tested in people of my age group who are already at risk of strokes and heart attack. I pray for all suffering from this devastating illness.

Dian

Breast Cancer meds

rickashayus — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:55:44 GMT

I am on famera now after taking tamoxifin for almost 2 years & i went to the doctors the other day & she told me that in 2010 she is taking me off all med & it scares me to death just the thought of not taking anything to keep me safe from cancer so sould someone please give me some onsight about if they took meds & are now off of them and how they coped with the fear and if they are alright. so i can ease the thought going on in my head.

When does hair fall out?

overfortynlovinit — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:58:04 GMT

I have only had the first chemo treatment and was told in two weeks time I would lose my hair. So far, I still have my hair. I cut it short waiting for the hair loss to occur.

my next chemo date is April 8th, do you recommend shaving head when the hair loss starts?

In network vs. Out of ins. network providers

jimdeb — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:37:37 GMT

On January 8 of this year I had a simple mastectomy - my choice after extensive research. I just found out that my health insurance has only one in-network prosthetic provider which can only be described as a medical deparatment store. I don't want to go into that place for my breast prothesis! I found a little boutique that specializes in mastectomy prosthesis, but they are "out of network" and after speaking with the owner, I found out that my insurance won't take her on because she's "small potatoes". In other words, the insurance company only deals in volume! Has anyone out there encoutered this situation, and if so, what were your results? I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Forum

C4CModerator — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 22:40:40 GMT

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Testing for BRCA genes and implications for health insurance?

Dee — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:35:56 GMT

After hearing about my breast cancer diagnosis, a friend of mine revealed to me that she has a strong history of breast cancer in her family and would strongly consider bilateral prophylactic mastectomy should she test positive for one of the BRCA genes. She says this is always something that she has worried about and that it would be a gift if she could just know one way or the other. However, she's very concerned that if she gets genetic testing and indeed tests positive, it could affect her health insurance, either causing her to be dropped or having this designated as a "pre-existing condition." Also, she's self-employed and has private individual health insurance vs. group, which already presents its own difficulties.

Does anyone know how a positive test affects insurance? (We know that this could vary from state to state. We reside in Connecticut.) Thanks in advance for any feedback, suggestions, or resources that you can provide. It would be wonderful if she could proceed with such testing with confidence and finally achieve some peace of mind one way or the other.

Deciding on chemo

charz0417 — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:42:54 GMT