Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerAsked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerIt depends where a patient is in their breast cancer journey.
In the beginning of breast cancer diagnosis, a CT or oftentimes a PET scan (a CT that tumors light up on) is used to look for distant disease beyond the breast. Breast cancer can be by itself in the breast, it can spread to the lymph...
It depends where a patient is in their breast cancer journey.
In the beginning of breast cancer diagnosis, a CT or oftentimes a PET scan (a CT that tumors light up on) is used to look for distant disease beyond the breast. Breast cancer can be by itself in the breast, it can spread to the lymph nodes, then in late stages it can spread to places such as the lung, liver, bones, or brain.
CT scans are interpreted by radiologists. Typically this means that there is a period of days before the CT scan report is made available to the breast cancer doctor. The breast cancer doctor then reviews the report with the patient at their next visit. Depending on the results of a CT scan, many things can happen. Typically, if a cancer is still in the breast and lymph nodes, surgery will be performed and chemo or radiation may follow. If cancer has spread to distant sites, chemo would be the main treatment course.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerAsked by anonymous
PatientNow I understand why your team is putting off the staging until after your preliminary treatment as they are expecting the tumor to shrink. It makes perfect sense. Hang in there and hopefully that tumor will get a whole lot smaller. Please keep in touch with us. Big hugs and take care, Sharon
Comment 0There are actually different circumstances where oncologists would recommend chemo 1st. Many, many, reasons that don't paint a bleak picture in the least. As for hiding something from you.... I do not think they do that. When I was having my biopsy, the doctor told me to "expect this to come...
There are actually different circumstances where oncologists would recommend chemo 1st. Many, many, reasons that don't paint a bleak picture in the least. As for hiding something from you.... I do not think they do that. When I was having my biopsy, the doctor told me to "expect this to come back as breast cancer..." There was nothing "warm and fuzzy" about her statement.
The next time you have an appointment with him/her, take a friend, or relative with you. They can be your scribe and take notes. Your job is to ask questions and get answers. I really believe lack of information is the most terrifying thing about having breast cancer. I remember when I heard all of the facts, including the pathology report, I finally knew all the answers to all my questions. I knew how we were going to proceed and the treatment plan was in full view. There was something much more reassuring and almost comfortable in finally having that knowledge. Please stay in touch with us here. We have all been where you are and really want to support our sisters in this journey. You will be ok... it is just one foot in front of the other and one appointment at a time.
Take care, Sharon
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A PatientThe prep is easy. The radio-active dye goes in, you wait about 45 minutes ( I fall asleep). The test takes about 35/40 minutes. Everything is going to be fine. Positive, calm thoughts
Comment 1That was definitely the hardest part for me. The waiting killed me but thank God the worrying was for nothing and results were good. Try to stay positive I know it's hard.
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 PatientAnonymous,
The test, as Mary described is an easy one. We, are ALL like you! We certainly can all understand how you would be worried about what this test might find. You need to have this test because if the treatment you have had isn't working, your doctor needs to change course, and select...
Anonymous,
The test, as Mary described is an easy one. We, are ALL like you! We certainly can all understand how you would be worried about what this test might find. You need to have this test because if the treatment you have had isn't working, your doctor needs to change course, and select another. This is the time when you need to muster all of your courage and march into that CT scan. The sooner, the better. Remember, this all could be just a glitch and you will find you are ok. Be brave and courageous because you have to get this test done ASAP. Remember, there are a ba-zillion of us out here who completely understand the fear you have. Hang in there, and prayers for strength.
Take care, Sharon
Are you worried about having a CT? A CT is an easy test and not as involved as an MRI. They. Ay have you I gets some contrast- not the best testing stuff but definitely tolerable. Then during the test they may also give you contrast via IV. All you do is lay on the table. Painless and over quickly.
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A Patientit would be atypical for chemo to cause chest wall pain, especially 4 months out. Chest wall pain would be more likely from previous radiation, and can usually be visible as a red rash in the irradiated area.
Chest pain can be related to multiple things of course. Anxiety is a very common...
it would be atypical for chemo to cause chest wall pain, especially 4 months out. Chest wall pain would be more likely from previous radiation, and can usually be visible as a red rash in the irradiated area.
Chest pain can be related to multiple things of course. Anxiety is a very common cause.
Doing a quick research search through medical articles, I can't find a connection between thymus changes and breast cancer or treatment. The residual thymus was probably just an incidental finding, something that happens a lot with CT scans and MRIs. Odds are it will never do anything. Also you have probably had enough CTs through your diagnosis and treatment that the radiologist would have noted if this was a new finding needing workup. With something like that, only seeing a change would cause concern. Thymus problems are very very uncommon, and are usually limited to specific diseases.
Best,
Laura
Asked by anonymous
Stage 3A PatientI have a mammogram in 3 weeks - 6 months after all my treatment was done. My onc said that 6 months out is "standard" so that your body has time to heal and that there is a less chance of a false positive
Comment 0I just had a follow up yesterday and my onocologist said no routine CT or PET scans according to "standard of treatment". I'm worried. Any suggestions?
5 comments 0Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 PatientI didn't, I only had an MRI and the day of surgery..(lumpectomy), I had a mammogram to put the guide wire in and went to the hospital and had surgery same day. mRI was few days before.
Comment 0Kinya,
I had an MRI, a CT Scan, bone scan, MUGA scan, and a sentinal node mapping. All but the sentinel node scan mapping were done in the weeks leading up to my surgery. These were all getting baseline views and also seeing if the cancer had metastasized. The sentinel node was done a couple of...
Kinya,
I had an MRI, a CT Scan, bone scan, MUGA scan, and a sentinal node mapping. All but the sentinel node scan mapping were done in the weeks leading up to my surgery. These were all getting baseline views and also seeing if the cancer had metastasized. The sentinel node was done a couple of hours before my surgery. Take care, Sharon
Looking for another topic?
Use the search box in the top right.
“An Early Detection Plan (EDP) significantly increases the chances of surviving breast cancer.”
spread the wordBeyond The Shock is a comprehensive online guide to understanding breast cancer.
It is a resource for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information.
Beyond The Shock is a collaborative breast cancer guide created by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) with the support of the finest medical experts, doctors, and researchers in the world. NBCF utilized ground-breaking technology and the resources of the global medical community to create an accessible platform for understanding a diagnosis of breast cancer.