a question about breast cancer

[Aranea]

My lovely friend has breast cancer. She says she will need a mastectomy, lymphectomy, chemo and/or radiotherapy.

Can it be true that she has caught it early, or does this level of treatment suggest a different story?

My friend had it a few years ago (she was 36) and had the procedures as you outlined.

She had the all clear and is absoltuley fine now

The take all precautions I think, to ensure it has all gone, hence chemo/radio.

I have 3 friends who have had all the treatment you describe and all have had the all clear.

I don't think they tell you that they've caught it early if it isn't true.

my mum had this treatment 7 years ago, she's been well since it finished

I think they take the precaution of doing the full works where treatment is concerned, when the woman is pre-menopausal...not sure if thats the case with your friend, but if it is that could explain it?

Aranea, I have breast cancer, and have had all the treatments you mention, and am now having herceptin treatment. I had a mastectomy because of the position of my tumour, (deep underneath the nipple), lymphectomy and chemo because it had spread to my sentinel lymph nodes. It was still categorised as 'early' breast cancer, since it was still localised to the breast area.
Treatment will vary on many factors whatever the hospital feels is the best treatment package for your friend. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

All the very best to your friend, if she ever feels like company, we are a friendly bunch on the Tamoxifen thread.

Oh thank you all. It wasn't that I thought they might have told her something untrue, more that I wondered whether she was downplaying the seriousness of the situation to her friends. But I am very relieved now as it sounds as though there's no reason to think she isn't being completely straight when she says they've caught it early.

Wishing you a good recovery, KurriKurri, and thank you very much for the info.