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Original poster

My sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

32 replies

nogoes · 29/04/2007 10:49

I feel absolutely gutted for her.

She was diagnosed with womb cancer last yearo and was given an hysterectomy with no need for any further treatment. Now she has this. It is not secondary cancer, apparantly it is just bad luck. Does anyone have experience of cancer returning that is not related to the original cancer? Can it really not be connected to the original cancer?

THe last year has been the worst year of my life, we also had a bereavement in the family. I was just starting to see the light through the end of the tunnel and now this.

OP posts:
PavlovtheCat · 29/04/2007 10:51

I am so sorry about yours sister's awful news. I do not know much about cancer returning and links etc, but just wanted to pass on my positive thoughts to you and your sister and hope she makes a full recovery...

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 10:54

Thanks

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seb1 · 29/04/2007 10:55

Sorry to hear you news. My friend is currently undergoing treatemnt for breast cancer and I have found this site great in providing info. and support for her

WanderingTrolley · 29/04/2007 10:55

Sorry to hear this - also sorry I can't add anything helpful.

does she know about cancerBACUP?

Here.

TinyGang · 29/04/2007 10:57

So sorry to hear that nogoes. How very unfair and awful for your poor sis.

Sounds like you're all having a very tough time atm

Really hope she is ok and things get better for you all.

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 11:00

Thanks for all your messages and links, I will have a look at them. I'm going out now but if anyone has any further information please post.

Thanks again. xx

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Tamum · 29/04/2007 11:08

I'm so sorry nogoes. I am sure they're right that it is not a secondary- nothing ever metastasizes to the breast as far as I know. It could be related in the sense that she has some kind of underlying genetic predisposition, or that she has had some kind of environmental exposure, but it could also be just rotten bad luck. If you think of how many people get cancer over all it would be surprising if some people didn't get it more than once but I don't suppose that makes it any easier. I hope it's eminently treatable.

PavlovtheCat · 29/04/2007 11:15

I have thought actually, and it is not knowledge but might be helpful. My mum was told that if you have ovarian cancer (which she had) then in the future you are more at risk of developing womb/breast cancer at a later stage. I wonder if this is perhaps similar with womb cancer and breast cancer?

I agree that cancerBACUP is a very helpful starting point. As are the Macmillan team. They know a lot, and are able to explain things in non-medical terms. They knew more about every question my mum had that most of the rest of the medical team she had.

Tamum · 29/04/2007 11:20

The ovarian/breast thing predominantly comes from the fact the if people are carriers of mutations in BRCA genes then they are susceptible to both ovarian and breast cancer. That would be more likely if there are other family members with the same sorts of cancer. You're absolutely right though, there is some evidence of a link to uterine cancer too, and that's what I meant about an underlying genetic predisposition.

PavlovtheCat · 29/04/2007 11:34

Thanks for clearing that up Tamtum. It might not help Nogoes sister in reality, but might help to understand possible reasons for another cancer being found, although my own experiences of cancer revealded to me just how unpredictable our bodies and cancer can be.

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 15:27

Thanks.

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Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 15:34

Sorry. Another question, is it possible that the original cancer could have been in the breast and spread to the womb? They have said that it is likely that the breast cancer was there last year although it wasn't picked up on any of the scans.

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Tamum · 29/04/2007 15:37

Hi again nogoes. No, that's very, very unlikely and I think unheard of to be honest. Breast cancers metastasize to lungs brain and/or bone usually, not the uterus. How is she feeling? Has she had a biopsy yet?

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 15:45

She is feeling okay. The cancer was picked up from a mammogram she didn't have a lump or anything. She has had the results of her biopsy which confirm that it is cancer and she is waiting for a CT scan. She is one of the most unlucky people I know she has worked hard all her life but has had one problem after another she has had other medical problem unrelated to her cancer. I had a nightmare the other night that it had returned which is strange.

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Coathanger · 29/04/2007 15:48

Nogoes - {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} to you and your sister. I don't have much info or advice about cancer returning in the breast, however, my best friend is being treated for breast cancer and she has a secondary in her liver although, as breast cancer usually metastasizes to the bones, lungs or brain, I am concerned it isn't a secondary She is 32 and things arent great, although she is trying hard to be positive.

I really just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all and send you lots of love and positivity xxxxxxx

Tamum · 29/04/2007 15:49

It must be so, so hard (for both of you). Has she been told anything about grade and stage or anything yet?

Tamum · 29/04/2007 15:52

Coathanger, cross-posted. Liver is also a fairly common site for secondaries, sorry, I missed that out. It's a very very uncommon site for primary cancer (except for specific environmental things like aflatoxin exposure) so your friend almost certainly has a secondary. I am sorry about your friend.

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 15:54

Thanks again Tamum & Coathanger.

I am sure she has been told about the grading etc but I only found out yesterday she didn't tell anyone she had been having tests. I didn't feel I could ask as it is a bit raw at the moment. When she had cancer last year the outlook was very positive and I didn't want to ask in case the news is not so good this time round.

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Tamum · 29/04/2007 15:57

No, I can completely understand. If there was no visible lump it may be better than you think, but I can see it's hard to start interrogating people.

SaintGeorge · 29/04/2007 16:06

So sorry to hear your news nogoes.

My father had 3 unrelated cancers over the space of 15 years. Unfortunately the last one did metastasize to his lungs, bones and brain but it was in no way related to the earlier cancers.

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last year. She had no lump and was lucky it was caught at the routine mammogram as it was the last one she would be called for, due to her age.

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 16:08

Thank you SaintGeorge. I am sorry to hear about your father. I hope your mum makes a full recovery. xx

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MoreTeaVicar · 29/04/2007 18:32

Nogoes, I am so so sorry for your sister and everyone, I can only offer you prayers and let you know I am thinking of you. You gave me support just recently which I really appreciated and thankfully all turned out well, but I do feel for you and wish I could help. hugs.

Original poster
nogoes · 29/04/2007 18:48

Thank you MTV. I am really pleased all turned out okay with you. I was wondering how you got on.

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Jackaroo · 29/04/2007 19:06

Hi Nogoes, I'm so sorry for you and your sister... if it's any comfort at all, my father has had 3 unrelated cancers in the last 5 years - prostate, lung and skin... and he's made a full recovery (ie they don't now want to scan for another year)... and he also had an autoimmune disease in the middle of all that........... no secondaries at all, just very bad luck, and is now bouncing around (that took a while obviously).
I found that Macmillan nurses have brilliant support, even for just telling you want various gradings etc mean, even if it's just a quick phonecall.
Lots of hugs and empathy - will be thinking of you.

Original poster
nogoes · 30/04/2007 07:20

Thanks Jackaroo. Really good news about your father.

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