Stage 2 breast cancer ...what's the options?

[aarnnv]

My friend has told me today she has stage 2 breast cancer.
She has a lump and it's spread to her lymph nodes.
I didn't want to ask too many questions as we were both upset on the phone.
What does this mean?
What treatment options ?
She will be okay tho won't she?
As they've caught it early
Stage 2 is low isn't it ?

Treatment depends on size/spread, type and whether it’s hormonal receptive.
My mum had stage 2 mixed ducal/lobular breast cancer in her mid 50’s.
A lump found during mammogram programme and it had spread to lymph nodes.
She had the lump and surrounding tissue removed and a full node clearance on that side (armpit and top of arm, side)
Then chemotherapy with radiation treatment afterwards. She’s on a few different tablets daily to help protect from reoccurrence. She gets a yearly mammogram. Been on remission 8 years.

hi aarnnv,

I'm really sorry to hear about your friend - stage two is classed as early stage. I suppose it depends on quite a few factors as to how 'ok' she will be. I was diagnosed with stage 2 bc in 2020 and had three operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and am now on hormone therapy. I have a lot of niggles with my body, compared to how I was before. Also early & sudden menopause (I can't have hormone replacement therapy) was hard. I would say it is my mind that has been affected the most. My best advice to you would be just to be there for your friend as I am sure you will be. Listen to her, be there when she wants to cry, be there when she doesn't want to talk about it, still do normal things with her if you can. It will all help. It is a hellish thing to go through and I only managed because of my wonderful husband, family and friends. I wish you all the best in helping your friend, it's hard for you but my goodness she will be grateful and it goes without saying that I wish your friend the absolute best in her treatment. I wrote a memoir about it (it's an eBook) that might help people understand what it's like to go through. It's impossible until you have walked that road yourself but my friends lifted me each and every day for months on end. They meant the world to me. Sending hugs!

I have had breast cancer for the last four years and I'm still here with no immediate cause for concern about that.
Diagnosis and treatment options can change a lot from first diagnosis as reaction to treatment can be seen, but the main thing is there is every probability your friend will also still be here in four years and beyond.
Possibly having been through surgeries and chemo etc but here and relatively ok.
Just be there for her and remember you can reach out to the cancer charities for support on this also.