Common Questions

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    What are the different stages of breast cancer?

    Asked by Rebecca Buell

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 1 year ago 3 answers •
  • Missing

    I was just diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday - the doc thinks it's stage 2 ... Do people die from this?? Why is everyone being so positive ?

    Asked by Aida Rivera

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    10 months ago 11 answers •
    • View all 11 answers
    • Missing
      Sarah Adams
      Survivor since 2010

      People die from car crashes, cancer, or even a common cold (depending on their health). The reason people are so positive is because YOU are NOT going to die from this. You have to find the fight inside you & use the love & support around you to kick some cancer ass. Without a positive attitude,...

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      People die from car crashes, cancer, or even a common cold (depending on their health). The reason people are so positive is because YOU are NOT going to die from this. You have to find the fight inside you & use the love & support around you to kick some cancer ass. Without a positive attitude, the ass kicking is not as easy. Cancer & chemo may take your hair, possibly your toenails, & likely your breasts...but it doesn't have to take your life. You've got cancer...it doesn't have you.

      It's scary, I realize. And you have every right to go through phases of sadness or anger or whatever else you feel. But in the end, it comes down to a battle. And cancer is a tricky little bugger, but this is a battle you will win! If ever you need support or just want to vent, know that people like me are here for you, too. Sending love your way!

      14 comments
    • Buca's
      Brooke Lancaster
      Stage 2A Patient

      Negativity will get you no where. Believe me. It's mind over matter, you stay positive, positive things will come your way. I guarntee it. It's the only way I have made it thru this battle thus far. I don't think about death and just like the other ladies said, we can all die at any time by any...

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      Negativity will get you no where. Believe me. It's mind over matter, you stay positive, positive things will come your way. I guarntee it. It's the only way I have made it thru this battle thus far. I don't think about death and just like the other ladies said, we can all die at any time by any particular reason, its the not thinking about death that remains for me. I have too much to live for and my life is worth it to me. Cancer is a side block for most, now a days there are survivors with worse cases than ours. I know a woman who was diagnosed at stage 4 and it has spread to her stomach and lungs, and she's still going on and living life.

      Comment
  • Missing

    What is inflammatory breast cancer?

    Asked by Diane Oberholtzer

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    12 months ago 2 answers •
    • Missing
      Kris Shortridge
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I was dx with inflammatory breast cancer in July 2008. It is always stage 3 or 4. The symptoms are different from breast cancer. It looks

      5 comments
    • Missing
      anonymous
      Family Member or Loved One

      Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer that is usually Stage 3 or 4. The videos under "Learn" on this site have some great info about types of breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer. Here's the direct link: http://beyondtheshock.com/learn#5/7

      Comment
  • Missing

    I'm 23 year old. I have a lump in the upper outer quadrant of my right breast. I had it biopsied 5 months before... it's stage 2. I sometimes feel pain in that area not very often. Does it mean it has metastasized??

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    9 months ago 4 answers •
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    What is the survival rate for stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    10 months ago 4 answers •
    • View all 4 answers
    • Shaggy5-12-12-4
      Sharon Danielson
      Survivor since 2007

      2007 I had the same diagnosis. My internist made a comment that, above all, was the most comforting. He said, "Well, thankfully, you have the --good-- kind of breast cancer." The fear I felt melted away. I went on to have a mastectomy (totally my choice) 4 rounds of chemo, and am on a...

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      2007 I had the same diagnosis. My internist made a comment that, above all, was the most comforting. He said, "Well, thankfully, you have the --good-- kind of breast cancer." The fear I felt melted away. I went on to have a mastectomy (totally my choice) 4 rounds of chemo, and am on a hormone blocking drug for 5 years. I have my follow-up appointments, and do all I can to stay healthy. The rest I leave to God and pure luck.

      Your breast cancer was diagnosed in a early stage and there are lots of answers for you with this type of finding. Yours is the most common and there are several kinds of breast cancer. March through your treatment like a warrior! You have many, many, sisters alive today who have had the same diagnosis.

      1 comment
    • Missing
      Jessica Worcester
      Patient

      I am in stage 3A of IDC myself,

      2 comments
  • Missing

    Breast lumps on both breasts, sized 3cm, 2.8 0.8 & 0.5 on the ultrasound. I also have a family history of breast cancer - my dad's Aunt. It increases my risk that it's breast cancer. What should I do?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    10 months ago 5 answers •
    • View all 5 answers
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      summer evans
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I'm a nurse myself too. But I am afraid of having it removed. Am not afraid of the surgery, I am afraid of the biopsy results. I'm only 24 years old...

      3 comments
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      Lori A
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      You should go to your doctor immediately. Early detection makes a big difference.

      Comment
  • Mike's (finally) downloaded pics 077

    If you have bilateral mastectomy, how long does it take to recover from the surgery? I hear about the tubes for drainage - how long are they kept in you? What are extenders if you have reconstruction surgery?

    Asked by Ethel Brooks

    Stage 0 Patient
    about 1 year ago 3 answers •
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      Cheri Davis Johnson
      Survivor since 2009

      I had an unilateral mastectomy in 09. I also had a tissue expander. My drain tubes were in place for almost 2 weeks. They really were annoying! Didn't hurt, but just bothersome. I used a mastectomy cami and it was wonderful. It had a pouch in front to stuff the drain tubes in. I wore...

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      I had an unilateral mastectomy in 09. I also had a tissue expander. My drain tubes were in place for almost 2 weeks. They really were annoying! Didn't hurt, but just bothersome. I used a mastectomy cami and it was wonderful. It had a pouch in front to stuff the drain tubes in. I wore bagging, button down or zipper up tops and it was fine. The tissue expander is not fun though. It is a hard, implant like thing that has a magnet in it. The magnet is for the fills. The doc fills a syringe with saline and with the magnet guides the needle to the right spot and then he pokes your skin and into the expander. How long you have to have the expander in all depends on how big you want and how long it takes for you body to stretch. It didn't hurt at all except for the stretching of the muscles. My neck and back would ache for a few days. I was lucky, it only took 2 months before I was ready for the permanent implants. Over-all it isn't a horrible surgery as far as surgery goes. I have had worse for sure!! And I was only in the hospital 1 night too.

      8 comments
    • Missing
      Pam Johmson
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I had bilateral mastectomies 8 months ago. Stage I invasive but very small. Genetic testing negative. Sentinel Lymph node negative. Estrogen progesterone positive. Post menopausal. Age 56. I had tissue expanders for silicone gel implants for only 3 weeks before implant exchange. Drain tubes...

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      I had bilateral mastectomies 8 months ago. Stage I invasive but very small. Genetic testing negative. Sentinel Lymph node negative. Estrogen progesterone positive. Post menopausal. Age 56. I had tissue expanders for silicone gel implants for only 3 weeks before implant exchange. Drain tubes for almost the whole 3 weeks. They are annoying but not horrible. I wore my surgical bras and loose tops. Not a huge issue, really, but was ready for them to come out! The exchange surgery was quick and not a big deal. Went to opening home game of OU football 2 days after!! Made it thru half! Taking Arimidex ...no chemo needed. Doing fantastic'nnb

      Comment
  • Missing

    I was recently reading my pathology report and it said Triple Negative Breast Cancer grade 9 (3+3+3) on the nottingham scale - my tumor was about 6cm but had not spread to any lymph nodes - what is grade 9?

    Asked by Blair Jenkins

    Survivor since 2009
    about 1 year ago 2 answers •
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      Janelle Strunk
      Family Member or Loved One

      Hi Blair,

      I was curious about your question and did a bit of research. Here is the best answer I came up with. It was given by:

      Kevin R. Fox, MD, Assistant Director, Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of...

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      Hi Blair,

      I was curious about your question and did a bit of research. Here is the best answer I came up with. It was given by:

      Kevin R. Fox, MD, Assistant Director, Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:

      The Nottingham histologic score is simply a scoring system to assess the "grade" of breast cancers.

      It is a total score based on 3 different sub-scores. The 3 sub-scores are assigned based on 3 components of how the breast cancer cells look under a microscope. (The details of these 3 components are not critical for you to understand). Each of the 3 components is assigned a sub-score of 1, 2, or 3, with 1 being best and 3 being worst. Once the 3 sub-scores are added, a Nottingham score is obtained: the minimum score possible is 3 (1+1+1) and the maximum possible is 9 (3+3+3).

      A histologic grade of III is assigned to any patient with a Nottingham score of 8 or 9. Grade I refers to Nottingham scores of 3, 4, and 5, while Grade II refers to Nottingham scores of 6 and 7.

      In the end, the Nottingham score and histologic grades are not very useful in the big picture, as they do not alter final overall treatment recommendations. High-score cancers tend to relapse more often than low-score cancers. Ultimately, however, we don't use the score in making clinical decisions.

      I hope that this helps clear up any confusion. I wish you the best.

      3 comments
    • Missing
      Sarah Adams
      Survivor since 2010

      Do you have a family history? If yes, I suggest genetic testing for the BRCA gene mutation.

      1 comment
  • Missing

    I am wondering if anyone has had persistent fatigue after breast cancer, radiation and taking Tamoxifen 20 mg? I am 3 years out and have to nap every day! I sometimes feel like the radiation destroyed me!

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 1 year ago 5 answers •
    • View all 5 answers
    • Cathy 641
      Kim Flackey
      Stage 1 Patient

      I hear you! I go to bed at about 8 pm every night and am still exhausted when I get up. I do get out and exercise and I have heard that the more you exercise, the more energy you feel like you have. Do you think it's the chemo drugs? I am wondering if that's what it is? When you read about the...

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      I hear you! I go to bed at about 8 pm every night and am still exhausted when I get up. I do get out and exercise and I have heard that the more you exercise, the more energy you feel like you have. Do you think it's the chemo drugs? I am wondering if that's what it is? When you read about the exhaustion, you can't really wrap your head around it until you have it. Did your brain go, too? I feel like I have a hard time focusing and remembering, too, after radiation. God bless you and keep you safe!

      9 comments
    • Missing
      Buster OBuster
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      7 month survivor, radiation, no chemo, taking arimidex. Fatigue has been the worse side effect.

      Comment
  • Missing

    What is the percentage of reoccurrence with invasive ductal carcinoma, no spread to nodes?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 1 year ago 1 answers •
    • Missing
      Susan Green
      Patient

      I would like to know the answer the that question also. I hope you had good luck. I'm waiting to see what will happen next. I had a mastectomy with three lymph nodes removed. The tumor was 5 cm and nodes were negative. It's been four weeks and still waiting! Good luck to you!

      Comment

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