Common Questions

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    What are the different stages of breast cancer?

    Asked by Rebecca Buell

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    11 months ago 2 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
    7 months ago 7 answers •
    • View all 7 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!

      11 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 the survival rate for stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    7 months ago 4 answers •
    • View all 4 answers
    • Missing
      Jessica Worcester
      Patient

      I am in stage 3A of IDC myself,

      2 comments
    • Half-way!
      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.

      Comment
  • Missing

    What is inflammatory breast cancer?

    Asked by Diane Oberholtzer

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    9 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
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      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
  • 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
    11 months ago 1 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

    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
    6 months ago 4 answers •
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    How can I best support my loved one with breast cancer?

    Asked by Danae Johnson

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    11 months ago 11 answers •
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    How often should I perform a Breast Self-Exam?

    Asked by Janelle Strunk

    Family Member or Loved One
    11 months ago 5 answers •
    • View all 5 answers
    • Bob and jo ann
      Jo Ann Timberlake
      Survivor since 2009

      A Breast Self-Exam is recommended monthly. At first you won't think you know what you are feeling for, but once you become familiar with the lumps & bumps naturally in your breast that are unique to you, then you will be in a position to notice a change.

      Comment
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      Nikol Vega
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Once a month, that is how I noticed a lump which turned out to be cancer

      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
    7 months ago 5 answers •
    • View all 5 answers
    • Missing
      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
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    What Kind Of Impact Does Stress Have On Breast Cancer?

    Asked by Laura Gaspard

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    11 months ago 5 answers •
    • View all 5 answers
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      Danae Johnson
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Although some studies have shown that factors such as traumatic events and losses can alter immune system functions, these studies have not provided any evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between stress and breast cancer. An area currently being studied is whether or not stress...

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      Although some studies have shown that factors such as traumatic events and losses can alter immune system functions, these studies have not provided any evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between stress and breast cancer. An area currently being studied is whether or not stress reduction can improve immune response and slow progression in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

      2 comments
    • Cathy 641
      Kim Flackey
      Stage 1 Patient

      I have to say that I do believe stress is a huge factor in my getting breast cancer. My husband and I lost our company, then our jobs and then our home in 2009. I kept telling him that one of us were going to get cancer because of all the stress. And sure enough I was diagnosed on July 23, 2010...

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      I have to say that I do believe stress is a huge factor in my getting breast cancer. My husband and I lost our company, then our jobs and then our home in 2009. I kept telling him that one of us were going to get cancer because of all the stress. And sure enough I was diagnosed on July 23, 2010 with Stage 1B breast cancer.

      2 comments

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