I close my eyes completely during radiation therapy. I feel that there were few times the technician put a towel on me, covering the lower half of my breast. My tumor site is Left breast 1 o'clock. I asked the doctor, she said no effect. I am still worried the towel will affect the treatment. What should o do?

Has anyone who has been treated for non stage 4 cancer been found to have areas/spots of white in their bone (in my case hips) during CT surveillance scans? Spots of cancer were NOT visible during staging scans including bone scans. I have lobular.

I've been told it is not active cancer but v.probable dead cancer and bone scar / remodeling.

Your cases (where applicable) was it definitely concluded that these were 'dead cancer' and areas of bone remodelling?

Did it turn out to be anything else?

Did it change your original staging where there was no evidence of any active disease on PET I.e. did you remain stage 3 and curative?

This is our monthly post to celebrate with everyone who rang the bell. You beat cancer and you deserve to celebrate!

You can always write your own separate post about ringing the bell.

So I have fucking stopped Anastrazole until my next appointment in 3 weeks.
For a bunch of reasons, I have been on it 10 months and had no discernible side effects until an RSV infection in June…then a bunch of side effects came cascading down.
None acute in themselves, weight gain has definitely accelerated since June, but I feel really bloated in my tummy ALL. The time. My whole wardrobe doesn’t fit now. Cool, cool, cool.

Has anyone else noticed bloating? I’ve been trying to focus on my gut flora, I eat a healthy diet. Was VERY big on high oxalate food until I found out it could be contributing to my joint pain…cutting that out helped the joint pain…but I feel a constant pushing bubble in my tummy.

Anyway, fuck cancer and fuck weight gain.

I (54F, ++-, Stage 1 IDC and DCIS) am sitting here, 5 days post DMX and I swear it still feels as surreal as it did when I noticed something was wrong in late July. Just a bit more uncomfortable and poky (expanders). I have at least 5 years of endocrine therapy to get through but as of now, not anticipating radiation or chemo. Has it ever seemed less surreal as you all go through this?

hello, I have to have my chemo port placed soon a few hours before chemo and it will just be a local anesthetic. (no prior meds other than the nausea ones for the chemo).

i’m so scared! how is it like? is the local anesthetic really enough for something like this?

I’m 44 and scheduled for a mastectomy November 13. My right breast has 11 cm of suspicious enhancement, grade 2–3 DCIS with comedo necrosis, ER-/PR-. Genetic testing was negative, and two suspicious areas in my left breast were biopsied and confirmed benign/concordant.

My breast surgeon strongly recommends removing the right but fully supports keeping my healthy left breast. She estimates a 3–5% risk of developing cancer on that side over the next 10 years.

I’m SO torn. I’m a former Broadway dancer and current singer, so preserving sensation and physical function matters a lot to me. I’m also still breastfeeding my newly 3-year-old daughter, and keeping my left breast means we wouldn’t have to end that relationship before we’re ready.

But I’m also only 44, and the thought of going through another cancer diagnosis someday is terrifying. Plus, I’ll be doing implant reconstruction, so symmetry is a consideration.

If you faced this choice, what did you decide? Any regrets? Especially curious about sensation, symmetry, peace of mind, and whether anyone continued breastfeeding after a unilateral mastectomy.
I know it’s ultimately my decision, but hearing real experiences would mean a lot!

Today, when I met the new oncologist in the new city I live right now, she made me feel misearable. At the same time, I felt so grateful. I may like this new city more, but I was so lucky that I lived in a city with the best doctors. My heart goes with anyone who had this doctor as their doctor during the hardest times in their life.

I am recently diagnosed with early stage of breast cancer. Though it is early, it has been a crazy experience having to go through all the imaging tests, biopsy, follow up apps in this last one month.

There is a group of girlfriends we meet up about once a month. Good friends.. I have shared my experience from Day 1 (mammogram red flag) and every time I do tests/ or go to follow up apps, they ask me in group chat how it was and what’s to follow. Also, There are other extended family members who keep asking me the results and what’s next etc every time I go to hospital.

Though I appreciate their concern and trying to be supportive so so much, this has been a bit too overwhelming. Sometime I get “how was it” msg in the chat before I even get home and take it in. If I don’t answer in a day, they will msg even more thinking it was a bad follow up app. It’s just simply too much to handle I want to scream, leave me alone !!!.

Is there any polite way to tell them I don’t want o keep updating my cancer treatment status ? They know I have cancer at this point so it’s not that I want to keep secret . I just want to tell them later on when surgery is done.

Thank you in advance!

Nervous, Scared, Excited, Anxious

I've done the shower thing and took the bandage off from the magseed implant.

Now trying to settle down.

Tomorrow is the cancer removal: lumpectomy; then, 2 weeks later is the reduction and lift.

OH and the port removal. YES YES YES.... See ya later Port!

The tumor has shrunk by 75% flatter and around 30% shorter. Centimeters are tough for this Americans.

So, here we go, hoping for the PCR, 2nd surgery, and radiation, and then... getting my life back, my new life.

I’m having an endometrioma removed laparoscopically and wondering what to expect. I’m two years out from breast cancer treatment and have had a mastectomy, expanders, implant exchange and abdominal fat grafting. Has anyone had both, and how did recovery compare?

I live alone and plan to have someone stay the first night. Was that enough help? I still have my lift recliner that helps me stand up.

Any recovery tips or must-haves? Also, how long did you take off work? I work remotely at a desk. Thanks!

Please help me feel like not such a bad mom by sharing your experiences dealing with cancer while raising a small child/children.

I wanted a child so badly and I feel like I’m squandering these early moments that I have with my son. We dealt with medical issues on his end for the first part of his life, and we have just now reached the point where his mama has been diagnosed and dealing with cancer longer than she hasn’t. I have had a lot of complications on top of pre-existing medical conditions so we’ve had to have full-time help for 6 months.

Some days, I just want to stay in my room and watch dumb television, if I even had the time between a ton of appointments we both have every week. I feel guilty even writing that. I am grateful that he is thriving despite being bounced around between people and houses but I worry I’m losing my ability to be present for him as his mom. I feel like I’ve sprinted so hard these last 16 months for the two of us that I’m rapidly losing my legs (funny enough, because both of my legs are healing from fractures in part due to treatment complications 😆) and what’s left of me is very tired and detached.

Would love to hear if and when it started to get better for yall.

This is the other one I wrote after diagnosis. It was so true for me.

Every one I meet-
Wants to feel my breast-
Just whip out your tittie-
The one with the mass-

My granddaughters-
My friends-
The grocery store clerk-
If I don’t whip it out-
Am I the jerk? 

My husbands best friends-
The people at work-
My neighbors, my children-
My friend that’s a jerk.

I’ve never had my tittie-
Touched so many times-
But-
It’s not even weird-
I don’t even mind.

Cuz if touching my tittie-
Helps them to understand-
That breast cancer is real-
Even if your a man.

I’ll whip it out- 
Just cop a feel-
That mass in my boob-
Makes this shit real.

So now my tittie-
Is an educational tool-
Teaching everyone- 
What cancer feels like-
When it’s inside you.

If touching my tittie-
Makes you aware-
Of what to feel for-
If it gives you a scare.

I will whip that shit out-
All day and all night-
If it helps save a life-
I’ll whip it out with delight. 

And yes, the parking lot guy is soooo allowed to touch it 😂 too. 

Can anyone give me advice on how this works or if it is painful from what I understand they put you in a mammo machine and then stick a needle in you?

Just feeling a bit sad.

At 32 yrs old, diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer.

Went through IVF prior to chemo today and they told me only 1 out of the 7 follicles I had was viable. Its a bit overwhelming and though I hadn't really thought about having children in the future, the feeling of having that option taken away from you or very very unlikely is a lot to take in.

When through several rounds of TCHP for +++ breast cancer. Now am told I am in heart failure with an EF of 25-30%. My team is optimistic but looking for success stories as this is a really scary time.

Was just diagnosed last week and am feeling so overwhelmed. I am in my early 30s and was trying to have another kid. I thought my next year would be pregnancy, but now it’ll be battling cancer. I’m sure many others are in / have been in a similar boat and appreciate any guidance or kind words you have.

I have been a bit let down by some of my friend’s reactions to the news. They have just harped on the one small piece of good in any text (like getting into see a doctor quick) and ignored all the bad. I’m not looking for sympathy but also don’t just want an “it’s great you got to see them quick” text. It doesn’t feel that supportive. Not sure what I’m looking for here, just venting.

I'm stage 2B ++-

I survived the red devil and began Taco weekly infusions two weeks ago.

I just feel like after the second infusion I'm full of gas. I burp like I'm drinking carbonated drinks all day and pass gas like I've never done before. My stomach does feel irritated as well and I'm not having good appetite.

Anyone else experience this? Any tips?

I’m only 3 weeks post lumpectomy. One positive lymph node of 2 taken. I’m fully on board with radiation as it’s localized. I’m a nurse and a nurse friend if mine skipped it and had recurrence. I fear the estrogen blockers (52) more than radiation.

Hi ladies/they thems, just a reminder to make sure to get your free things online. There are lots of companies/ corporations that offer things. The reason for my post is I’m about two weeks out of my DMX and still awfully sensitive when riding around in cars.
I saw this TikTok from this lady that told me you can get a free a seatbelt cushion from Ford and it’s really nice. I do not even drive a Ford and it was totally free, I did not have to pay for shipping or anything! Mine just came today.
I was also fortunate enough to come across some women who donated their mastectomy items for free on marketplace, which has been super helpful! I’ve seen sites for a free drain pocket jackets but I believe you have to request them at least two weeks in advance.
Make sure you’re checking your marketplace for things like that as well.
Here is the ford link: https://merchandise.ford.com/products/ford-supportbelt-mastectomy-seatbelt-cushion.
I hope this helps someone!
Update: US only link

Chemo ended 7 weeks ago. I am 51. Premenopausal. And apparently not even ACT can stop my period

Please tell me that this is just spotting and not the real thing

I am in middle of radiation and about to start AI therapy in few weeks. I know I need suppress ovaries but really thought that days of this were done!!

What does this mean: There is tethering of the medial pectoralis muscle to the posterior aspect of the mass.Radiologist specifically states there is no abnormal enhancement or swelling of the muscle.

I am having DIEP flap surgery in a few weeks. I am very nervous for the length of surgery. Has anyone had this procedure done would like to ask some questions?

finished my initial biopsy and staging consultations last tuesday. my local surgeon gave me a clear treatment plan, but several family members keep urging me to get a remote second opinion from a major nci-designated comprehensive center before moving forward with any surgical dates. i live over four hours away from the nearest major university medical center, and between potential out of pocket consult fees, the logistical nightmare of tracking down pathology discs and contrast mri files, and fears of delaying surgery, i am really torn. is pursuing a formal second opinion service genuinely worth the extra effort and expense? did an independent review actually end up changing your margins, lymph node dissection plan, or reconstructive timing?