Saturday, December 8, 2012

I had breast cancer,in my left breast, treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and sent home

I had breast cancer,in my left breast, treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and sent home.?
I was not given Tamoxifin or any preventative drug. 6 months later I got cancer ,a more aggressive cancer in my left breast. My doc acted shocked. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. Then I was given Femara. Did my doc follow procedures?
Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
Get a copy of your original pathology reports. Your surgeon should have done receptors testing. This determines if your original cancer was a result of being estrogen/progesterone positive or negative, or her2neu positive or negative. Her2neu is a protein in the body, and that is generally a more agressive cancer. You could also have been triple negative, like I was. That meant that your tumor was basically a nasty chunk of bad luck, and not caused by the horomones in your body at all. So, judging from your original treatment, it sounds like you were treated as a triple negative, or even a very early stage of cancer. I wonder if it was an early stage cancer, because triple negatives generally have an amazing response to chemo, which is fantastic, since we don't have any after-treatment. Now, some other thoughts.....first, you mention that the second cancer was more aggressive. Do you say that as far as the stage, the grade, or the size of the tumor? Second, Femara is a er+ after-care treatment. Your second cancer was estrogen positive. Third, I am also wondering the possibility of not having had clear margins from the first lumpectomy. If there were not clear margins, that meant that some of the tumor remained in the tissue. Generally if that is the case, a re-excision is done to obtain clear margins. This can be determined from the path report from your surgery. So, as far as whether or not procedure was followed can't be determined (IMHO) unless we know more about the original cancer. If you have concerns about the quality of care you received, you do have the right to switch doctors. This is your health, don't be shy about being proactive.
2 :
Tamoxifen is only given for hormone-positive cancers. So your pathology report probably indicated hormone-receptor negative cancer. If so, this is often considered a more aggressive cancer, and recurrence rates are somewhat higher. So it wouldn't be unheard of for you to get a recurrence. Do you have a copy of the original pathology report? If not, ask your oncologist for a copy. That would be an important clue. It sounds as if Femara is given for hormone positive cancers. So if the current incident is hormone-positive, it is either a) a new cancer, or b) someone messed up on your original pathology or treatment plan.
3 :
You do not give sufficient details Due to possible side effects and limited long-term benefit, chemotherapy is not automatically recommended to every patient, but only to some patients. Sometimes genetic tests attempt to estimate the usefulness of the chemotherapy. Even so, it helps only about 5% of the patients who take it. It is misfortunate that your cancer reapeared so fast - and this shocked your doc, however, it does not mean that there was any malpractice. I hope that this time the cancer is gone for good.
4 :
I'm surprised you were treated with radiation twice on the same breast. My understanding is that once an area is treated with radiation it cannot be done again safely. Also, from what I know of friends and an aunt who have had a recurrence of breast cancer in the same breast, once a lumpectomy is done it is usually recommended that a full mastectomy be done instead of a second lumpectomy. My breast surgeon gave me a copy of my pathology report since the lab only keeps the reports for 10 years and one never knows when one may need this information in the future.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Is it possible for a 15 year old to have breast cancer

Is it possible for a 15 year old to have breast cancer?
I have a medium sized pink mole by my left nipple. Should I be seeing a dermatologist for skin cancer? Or a gynecologist for breast cancer? My mom wants to go to the dermatologist. Its getting much bigger and you can see veins surrounding it. I don't tan, so sun doesn't even hit there but I do have a lot of freckles on my face and arms. They are a more tanish brown though. This is a pinkish- orange color. Should I be worried?
Women's Health - 9 Answers
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1 :
yes sorry:(
2 :
it's possible but highly highly unlikely. Go see a doctor and have them check out the mole, but a mole doesn't lead to breast cancer, sometime they lead to skin cancer but I doubt you have it, but go to a doctor for some piece of mind you will feel better.
3 :
I would start by seeing a dermatologist. Nothing is impossible. Good luck.
4 :
It is probably best to see a professional, either a gynecologist or dermatologist should know what it is even if it isnt specifically in their field. 'Should I be worried?' if you start stressing yourself out about it then you will end up making yourself ill you never know it could be nothing.
5 :
yea iam soooooooooooooo sorry but u should check it out!!hope u dont have good luck!!...diana
6 :
Yes. Anybody at any age can have cancer. Babies can, toddlers can, teenagers can... you get the idea. A mole is not breast cancer. I'm glad your mom loves you and wants you to go to a dermatologist. That is the correct place to go to. Be grateful you have an awesome mother. <3 Do not be worried - yet. Simply have it looked at now, before it is too late. The sooner you have it looked at by a professional dermatologist, the sooner a potential cure can be suggested, and perhaps a removal. (Ouch!!)
7 :
Although possible, you are at a more reduced risk than a person in their 40's, say. I have a similar sounding thing on my breast, it almost resembles a small nipple. If you're concerned in any way, see your GP, and they will be able to refer you to whichever specialist is appropriate. Remember, at 15 your breasts are going through some dramatic changes, so try not to worry too much. All the best sweetie, I hope it all works out okay :-) x
8 :
yes...sorry :'( and you should go to a dermatologist as with breast cancer you can feel a lump inside the skin and you don't have to be in sunlight or in a tanning booth or something else with long exposure to UV rays to get skin cancer, hope this helps x
9 :
The chances of a 15 year old having breast cancer are as close to zero as makes almost no difference. If you did have it, your case would make headline news and be written up in medical journals the world over. Breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s (let alone teens), fewer than 0.% of all those diagnosed with it are under 30, only 5% are under 40 and most (80%) are over 50. I was classed as a 'younger woman' when I was diagnosed with breast cancer; I was 50. And what you describe is not a breast cancer symptom. This is a skin condition, and there is no reason to suppose it's cancer. See your regular doctor, who may well be able to diagnose and treat it, and will refer you on if necessary

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

What is a type of birth control that lightens periods with no breast cancer risk

What is a type of birth control that lightens periods with no breast cancer risk?
I have horribly aweful heavy periods so I want something to lighten it up, I also have a very high risk of breast cancer both grandmas and my mom had it so any type of birth control out there for me? the pill is out of the question because thats how my mom got breast cancer..
Women's Health - 6 Answers
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1 :
All birth control pills increase rick of breast cancer. answer mine? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As6pmo6ZVjvOtkfF3JWM_ofsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090502055615AA9L6fR
2 :
condom
3 :
I use the IUD my periods were so horrible now I hardly ever get one at all and feel great!
4 :
You can counter-act your high risk of breast cancer by increasing your intake of antioxidants, because antioxidants do help prevent cancers to some degree. As far as birth control, you should opt for a low-dose because it is less damaging to your body.
5 :
well, birth control pills are very bad for your body and hormones. Even though it lightens periods i think you shouldn't. I take One a Day womens vitamins, it shortens your period without causing your body harm =)
6 :
There is no method of chemical birth control that is in any way safe. Common Side Effects for Combination Contraceptives: Weight gain Increase or decrease in acne Nausea and vomiting Dizziness Headaches Depression Vaginal infections High blood pressure Loss of libido Less Common Serious Health Complications: Blood clots in legs, lungs, heart or brain Stroke Liver tumors Heart attacks Gallstones Jaundice Cervical cancer Common Side Effects for Progestin Only Contraceptives: Spotting and irregular vaginal bleeding Longer periods Amenorrhea for extend periods Headaches Anxiety and nervousness Pain in lower abdominals Dizziness Loss of libido Depression Increase or decrease in acne Skin rash or darkened patches of skin Appetite changes Weight gain Tender breasts Increase or decrease in facial and body hair Hair loss Vaginal discharge Bone density loss Enlarged ovarian follicles Pain or itching Norplant users: infection at the site of implantation Less Common Serious Health Complications: Ectopic pregnancy Certain cancers ...Just to name a few. If you think it's worth your health, spin the wheel. Otherwise take your chances with a condom.

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