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Original poster

CHECK YOUR BREASTS!!!

739 replies

FiveSoloRings · 20/12/2009 13:37

I got news this morning that one of my friends died yesterday. She was in her very early 30's, two young children and everything to live for. Despite a mastectomy a couple of years ago, the cancer spread and she is gone. I can't tell you how dreadful I feel.

It is so important that we check our breasts regularly. It takes a few minutes and could save your life.
One of my best friends had a message just like this one, but it was face to face and by her boyfriends exgf who also had just had a mastectomy because of breast cancer. This message from such an unlikely messenger almost certainly saved my best friends life.

Pass the message on please ladies. Make sure your friends and family are nudged into remembering to check.

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 05/06/2010 08:43

wise words from cupcaked...hope the dress hunt is successful too - maxis are def. bang on trend as fashionistas say..am sure there must be a black one -
try to relax and have a good w/end

ifancyashandy · 05/06/2010 17:28

Got a lovely black one - am v. pleased with it (even if I am skint and really shouldn't have done! But bugger it - just this once!)

Thanks and have good evening yourselves.

MaryAnnSingleton · 05/06/2010 18:26

yay !

cupcaked · 05/06/2010 23:42

Sounds like great plan for a Saturday! Enjoy. You ARE stressed, and have every right to be, it is a rational reaction, so now just try to keep the lid on it with lots more Saturdays like this and doggy paddling in between. Glad u have supportive pals, 2 yr olds can be trying at best of times!

smee · 06/06/2010 20:29

You so deserve that dress ifancy.

solo · 08/06/2010 13:08

Just saying hello. Keep smiling...x

ifancyashandy · 08/06/2010 20:42

Hello all - just popping in to say hello. Everyone ok?

MaryAnnSingleton · 08/06/2010 21:33

hello ifancy - we're celebrating ds's 13 th birthday - can'ty believe I have a teenager ! how are you feeling today ?

ifancyashandy · 09/06/2010 08:09

How fabulous! Bet he feels SO grown-up! Is he having a party?

Am ok at the moment - I've kind of put everything to the back of my mind for this week; I couldn't have carried on at that level of stress. I would've spontaniously combusted!

Just get through this week and I know the tension will rise from next Monday but I'll try and cope one day at a time.

Thank you for asking.

MaryAnnSingleton · 09/06/2010 09:22

well we are here for hand holding still !
think ds is very pleased to be a teenager - no party - but plenty of celebratory stuff !

vintage · 09/06/2010 17:10

im new to all this milarky .Ifound a lump in my left breast last week kept poking at it then discovered another one .Went to the docs yesterday she said i have lumps on both sides pea sized nodules she described them as but she says theres nothing that makes her think "oh i dont like the feel of that" so i have to wait a month and then come back is that the usual procedure? thanks

vintage · 09/06/2010 17:11

that is i have lumpsp on both breasts the doc says

MaryAnnSingleton · 09/06/2010 18:18

hi vintage - I think the doc wants to see if it's hormonal and related to your cycle, so if they were still there next month they may want to investigate further

ifancyashandy · 09/06/2010 18:25

And just to add to what MAS said, try not to get too stressed and well done for going to the Doctors - if there is anything that needs investigating, you are on

And feel free to come here if you are feeling stressed - if you take a look back over the thread, you will see that I have / am constantly asking for shoulders to cty on / hands to hold!

pegotty · 09/06/2010 20:27

Hi, it is my first time posting on this thread and I need a bit of support and advice. A routine mammogram showed a lump, I had a biopsy and now I am having the lump removed because the biopsy showed pre-cancerous changes. I go into hospital on Monday to have a wire inserted to mark the spot, then lump removed Tuesday. Can anyone tell me if I am likely to have to have treatment afterwards? If the lump is tested afer removal and shows as pre-cancerous changes only, will I need to have radiotherapy?

ifancyashandy · 09/06/2010 22:36

Hi Pegotty, I don't know the answers to your question as I am still waiting for a diagnosis on my lump but didn't want you to go un-commented on.

I hope you're holding up ok and you've got good friends and family to help you through this. But you'll always find a supportive ear / shoulder / hand here and someone more knowledgable will be along shortly to answer your questions. They ladies here are fab.

Welcome (but sorry you have to come here, if you know what I mean).

Amapoleon · 10/06/2010 00:01

Just popping in to say hi! Ifancy you sound much more upbeat this week, yay!

Mas hope your ds had a nice birthday.

Vintage i had to wait 6 weeks for my first appointment.

Pegotty, I don't know the answer either but someone will come along soon who does.

Hola solo!

smee · 10/06/2010 10:29

Hi All - though sorry to see some new worried women on here.

pegotty, what did they tell you about your cells? Did they do a Fine Needle Biopsy, am guessing they did. It all depends on what they told you, but if they called the cells DCIS, that's termed as benign so is good news. Sounds to me as thought that's most likely if they told you it was pre-cancerous. DCIS are micro calcifications which can cluster. Lots and lots of women have them with no trouble whatsoever. The problem is that in some women the DCIS can start to turn cancerous at some point. In other women it doesn't. They don't seem to know why that can happen but it does in some. So I'm guessing with you they're taking the lump to analyse it to make sure it's okay. If it's just DCIS and they get clear margins in taking the lump, then you won't need chemo or rads. Really hope that's the case then. Am sure you're worried, but just ask lots of questions. I found knowledge is power! x

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/06/2010 11:04

hi pegotty - agree with smee - micro-calcifications can be just that, benign clusters of calcium, DCIS is slightly different in that it is a non- invasive cancer contained within the milk ducts and in that state it doesn't spread. In some women dcis becomes an invasive cancer - by looking at your results they should be able to tell whether it's just micro-calcifications or dcis. If it is dcis of a high grade they may recommend radiotherapy.

smee · 10/06/2010 11:07

Thanks for clarification MAS. You're right to correct me, I am a bit addled today! My mother had DCIS and had no radiation therapy peggoty. It does depend on the grade. Good luck x

MaryAnnSingleton · 10/06/2010 11:11

let's hope it's benign micro-calcifications - lots of luck peggoty

smee · 10/06/2010 11:36

Peggoty, this might help reassure you. Hope it does!

www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Causesriskfactors/Pre-cancerous/Breastcalcifi cations.aspx

ifancyashandy · 11/06/2010 19:51

Hope you're doing OK Peggoty (and everyone else)

101damnations · 11/06/2010 21:12

Peggoty,my mum had pre cancerous cells removed a few weeks ago.Hers was a big lump and as she has small boobs,she had a total mastectomy.From what she told me,they test all the removed tissue just to double check that it hasn't started to change or spread.If it hasn't,then that is it,end of treatment.Luckily,hers was ok,we found out yesterday that it hadn't changed or spread,so she won't need any follow up treatment.

Did you get a booklet about it at the breast clinic? Mum did and it was very helpful.Best of luck for your op and a speedy recovery.

Also,just wanted to thank everyone here for their support.I'm sorry I've not posted for ages,but have been really busy the past few weeks.

smee · 13/06/2010 19:50

Just doing a Sunday night bump.