Poll regarding how us Triple Negs found our tumor

booboo56

After an annual mammogram at age 53 (I've always had dense breasts and started annual mammos at age 40) and call-back for close up shots, I was told I had a microcalcification with "low to moderate degree of suspicion" and that the mammo should be repeated in 6 mos.  At that point it was then stated that the microcalcification was "highly suspicious."  I then had a core biopsy and it was found to be invasive ductal carcinoma.  Following surgery the pathology report showed triple negative 1.7 cm.,  grade 3 (8/9 score), stage 1.  I had opted for lumpectomy (without any knowledge of the possibility of triple-negative and its repercussions).  Although lymph nodes were considered "negative," one of the two sentinel nodes did show positive for Isolated Tumor cluster:  0.08 in size. Treatment following surgery:  4 rounds TC chemotherapy over 12 weeks.  Following chemo, 4 weeks later: 16 rounds of radiation.

Family history:  My mother (at age 68) was diagnosed with same size tumor, a little less aggressive, clear sentinel nodes.  ER- and PR- .  HER2NEU was not being checked for at the time.  Mother opted for lumpectomy, followed by radiation (16 rounds).  Chemo % was not significant in her favor, given age, etc. so she passed on chemo.  She is now 6 years cancer-free, although recently a uterine polyp was detected by ultrasounds - hopefully insignificant.... She had cancer of the nose at age 23 and has had numerous basal skin cancers over the years.  Her father died of bone cancer at age 33.  Clearly wonder about possible link between these other types of cancers and her breast cancer. 

Due to fact I have 3 younger sisters (not to mention our children) and their possible risk due to mother and sister having BC, mother was accepted into genetic testing program for BRCA1.  Hoping to have results prior to commencement of my radiation.  Advised by radiologist that if BRCA1 positive and I opt immediately for full mastectomy/oophorectomy, then radiation would  not be required.  Hoping no BRCA1 ...  but if so, hoping timing will work out so that radiation would not have been commenced if redundant...

As an aside:  I started puberty at age 10 - I drank lots of milk as a youngster - I took Minovral Birth Control for a short period of time (when it apparently was about 50-100x stronger than the birth control pills today) - I have always had fibrocystic breasts (as has my mother and all sisters).I recall having a cyst/draining absess around my right nipple, which required heat compresses to draw out at approximately age 30 (same breast that my BC developed in).  These are factors I personally question.  I specifically recall at the time being fearful of cancer and being told by the doctor I had nothing to worry about as "cancer doesn't hurt."  :-(

On the other hand:  I had two children before age 30 and breastfed both of them, which are supposed to be factors on the plus side...

Interested in hearing from anyone else about any questionable pre-cursors they have considered as possibly being associated with their diagnosis.

joanie59

I found my 1 centimeter lump 2 weeks after a normal mammogram.  I always had dense breasts and I should have been getting ultra sounds but my doctor and insurance company didn't think so.  I ended up having Stage IIA ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement,  I had 11 lymph nodes removed and 3 had cancer.  I had six months of chemo and 7 weeks of radiation after having a double mastectomy.

CrystalShadow

My husband found mine.  It is very high on my breast about 11:00.  When I compared with my other breast I knew exactly what it was.  Sadly I had been to the doc 7 weeks earlier and it wasn't there then so was growing pretty fast.  I have had regular mamograms since I was in my late 20s (I had Hodgkins in 1993 and knew the treatment could cause secondary cancers).

Within a week I knew for sure and am now searching for a PS so I can make my final decisions on treatment.

phyl26749

I found my first tumor when conducting a self-exam, it was close to the chest wall and felt about the size of a quarter, very, very hard and unmoveable.  I was 42 years old and had just had a "clear" mammogram three months prior to finding it.  It was obviously malignant, had surgeries, radiation and chemo (adriamycin, cytoxan and 5FU). Then went 17 1/2 years cancer free until October 2009 when a new secondary primary was found in the same breast.  Mastectomy with dorsal flap reconstruction completed followed by four cycles of chemo.  Both times I was and continue to be a TRIPLE NEGATIVE. 

EllieH7

I see its been a while since you posted JourneyNC but I would like to chat with you because I have the same dx as you do. Hope to see a reply soon.

Fighter_34

2007 my husband discovered fluid leaking out my breast (hey we are a married couple!!!) lol went to the Dr. was told this is common. Ordered a mamo nothing. Still worried went back in 2008 repeated everything  again NOTHING. 

 Went in for my regular OBGYN appt. 5/2010 everything checked out again. Boom July the lump appeared 1.5 cm. I have dense breast also. I am so thankful for being concerned about my health and my families health.

EllieH7

Hey Fighter, so sorry to hear that. What is your treatment plan, have you had surgery, chemo or rads? Just curious and prayers coming your way.

cc4npg

Mine was found during yearly mammo.  I had/have no pain, no lump, no mass.  I was told by a doc at Cleveland Clinic (2nd opinion) that my diagnosis was definitely not what my doctor had thought it would be... called it shocking.  I don't know how large yet.  I had an MRI and all it showed was increased density.  Hopefully this means it's tiny.  I'm tiny, like A cup, and there are zero lumps.

tnbcRuth

At 56, I found my lump lying in bed watching tv.  I had a reduction 20 yrs ago and thought it was a thickening of scar tissue at 5 o'clock.  Within a week, I could feel a walnut sized (2.5cm x 3.5cm) VERY PAINFUL lump.  It was right under the band of my bra and so I quit wearing one from that point on.  I made all family members feel it and it was very hard and irregular (3 separate pieces) for confirmation that it was a real lump. Then I was so scared, that I waited 2 weeks to call my dr.  No diagnosis meant I didn't have cancer yet, right?  Well, within one day, I saw my family dr,was forced to have mamo, sono and biopsy by a surgeon.  It was so close to the chest wall, they could not get a view of it on the mamo. It took 5 days to confirm dx, and I cried and yelled at the surgeon that I was NOT having treatment.  It took weeks of calls/crying to admit I had bc and meet with an oncologist.  My saddest day.  Hope this hell is over soon.

Suze35

Figured I would add to the poll!

I had my first baseline mammogram in April 2010, and everything was clear.  Unfortunately, I have very dense breast tissue, so...

Almost 5 months to the day, I was taking a shower and found a very noticeable lump in the upper outside of my left breast.  It just appeared - I couldn't believe I had missed it!  Turns out it is TWO lumps, each about 2.5 cm, and it had already hit four of my lymph nodes below the sentinel nodes.

There is no rhyme or reason to this viscious cancer.

Sarah_onthego

Since this is a poll, I'll post. I have so many questions and I'm looking for so much information...and I'm finding it, and it's overwhelming.

This is my condensed version of a long story that took place over a short period of time

I was laying in bed on Labor Day night, 9/6/10, bawling about an argument I had with my bf. Rolled over onto my left side and thought, within about 3 seconds, "what in the heck is going on with my arm?...oh it isn't my arm...I wonder if I'd know what it feels like if I have a lump in my breast?!....it's a lump in my breast...and it's humongous! Why didn't I find this before?!?" Texted my bf at 9:44 pm "I think I found a lump." I was done bawling about silly arguments. What a diversion!

Called my family physician's office from work at 11am on 9/7/10. They asked how soon I could be there (I work 45 minutes away). I told them that later in the afternoon would probably be best. They offered me 3pm. I suggested 4 (We're from a tiny community and can sometimes get away with that). I let my boss know that I had found a lump and that I had an appointment for the afternoon. She asked if I could reschedule for later in the week, when we weren't so busy since we were coming off a 3-day weekend. I told her that I preferred to take care of it immediately.

Twenty minutes late for my appointment since I wasn't able to leave work on time. At the hospital having the first Mammogram of my life at 4:40, ultrasound at 4:50, and lumpectomy scheduled by 5:10 for 9/9/10...One month before my 33rd birthday.

blah, blah, blah...Ended up not having a lumpectomy. Had a modified mastectomy on Friday, 9/10/10. Released on Saturday, 9/11/10, at 10:30am. My bf drove me to watch my friends play softball at noon, then we all went to a bar to watch the Husker's football game. It was a good game

alexanjb

I found my own tumor on the February following a "good" mammo in November.  It did seem to pop op overnight and it was painful.  My family doctor wasn't very concerned and the Radiologist that reads the Mammograms said not to lose any sleep over it.  But I was referred to a surgeon.  She was not very concerned either, but said I should return in a week and if the lump wasn't smaller I was getting a biopsy right then.

beccad

Right before my cycle starts I get really tender breast, but this time I had a lymph node swell up too.  

 Went to primary doc. She said get a diag. mammo.  This was not on any prev mammos.

 3 cm mass in left breast and 3.3 cm lymph node.  

All of this since Oct 1, I will  be 51 this month.  Mammos for the last 15-20 years, by being an x-ray and nuclear medicine tech, you get them when the mammo dept gets any new equipment or software upgrades, so I made sure that I was one of the " regular volunteers if was close to my scheduled time for a mammo.

Becky  

lululani

I felt a twinge under my armpit while lying in bed.  I felt a lump/mass of about 4 cent. & called my primary doc. right away.  

 

After a mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI, no tumor could be found in my breast.  

 

Took antibiotics to see if the axillary nodes were infected, but they didn't change in size.  A biopsy of the nodes (one 1.5 cent. & the other 2.5 cent.) revealed that the spread was probably of breast origin, but one of the docs refused to believe I had bc since no tumor.  He thought I might have lymphoma or that the cancer was coming from the liver or somewhere else.  

 

I ended up having an Mx at the end of June.  The pathologist(s) found the tumor (in my extremely dense breast tissue).  It was 0.4 cent.  So . . . small tumor, biggie nodes.  By the time I had surgery, it had spread to 8 nodes, but I could only still feel 2.  

 

Laurel 

Cleb

I found my 2.5 cm tumor 6 months after my followup mammo showed nothing.  Ofcourse my mammos have only ever shown cysts.  I had a papilloma biopsied 1 year prior to  my tumor and it was a benign.  However, the 2.5 grade III IDC was in the very same spot as the papilloma.  When I found my 2.5 cm tumor it did not show on mammo.  They tried to send me on my way, I told the tech that I had a large, hard lump that hurts, my mom's bc did not show up on mammo and she needed to talk to the boss.  They found it on sonogram and it was up against my chest wall.  Although my tumor was not anchored to chest wall.  Thank you Lord.  Had biopsy one week later we all know what happens from the day the lab results come back.  My healthcare providers have been wonderful though.

DX 2.5 cm grade III stage II er-/pr-/Her2- 8/24/10

ebann

My husband noticed a rash and I notice my breast was slightly swollen. Went to the Dr and was misdiagnosis for a month. Finally ordered a mammogram and ultrasound nothing showed up. There was no lump either. Went to breast surgeon she did a biopsy and dx me with IBC. The tumor they removed was 12.5cm.

PinkPeeCA

A friend started chemo, so I took a morning off to catch up on all medical issues, then hoped in the showre and my right hand went straight to it.  Under my left armpit, pea shaped but dime sized plus and close to the lymph nodes and chest cavity.  I think we are 30-40%.  I a caucausion (14%) and of French Canadian ancestry (25%).  Great idea.  Thanks,

Zipmum

I did not find my tumor.  I went in for a routine mammogram and there it was.  I had no outward symptoms and the tumor was very deep in the breast tissue, almost on my rib.  I have no history of breast cancer in my family, so this was a tremendous shock to me.  I am a year out from my initial diagnosis and very thankful for the advice and support I have received from this site.

moe0279

I'm 31 and found BC in my routine self exam at the end of October...

cc4npg

Zipmum:  Mine was found on routine mammo too!  3 mm in size.  And I had no family history either but since learned my half sister had BC.  Really a shocker when everyone in the family is healthy.  I ended up being BRCA2+ though too... again a shocker.  So glad you're doing well one year out!!  Woohoo!  I'll be there this time next year.

mommafluff61

I went in for a routine mammogram and there it was! It looked like a funny shaped pea. (1.3cm) I could not feel it and neither did my Dr. I have no family history of BC.

I go in Monday for my appt. with the Med Onc Dr. to hopefully figure out a treatment plan!

Thanks so much for sharing!

alamik

Breast Cancer doesn't hurt, right? I really wish the medical field would stop telling people that! In early November 2010, I was in bed and had the sharpest pain I had ever felt in my life! It was the outer part of right breast. Jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, threw off my shirt and even before I started to feel it, I could see the skin dimpling in the mirror. Being a nurse, I'm standing in the bathroom trying to feel for rough edges, the size, if it's movable... all the things that I knew would tell me what I already in my heart knew/ Took me over a week to get into my doctor who then referred me to another doctor who ordered the tests. I had just had a very thorough breast exam less than a year prior. Trust me, I would have felt this gigantic monster if it had been there previously so I kow it wan't just lounging around for years! So by the time I get the biopsy results, it's then December 2nd and the thing has grown vey fast! December 9th, the surgeron tells me it is no longer 3.4cm but is now 6.2cm. I know that some grade 3 tumours can actually double every 23 days so now that my Mastestomy is scheduled for January 5th 2011, I am all kinds of freaked out! And it is soooo painful!! It's gonna grow arms and legs before then! Maybe it will just walk it's happy little butt right on outta there!

Anonymous

Alamik - (((((HUGS!))))) So sorry to hear that.

cc4npg

alamik:  What about neoadjuvant chemo?  I'm surprised they didn't start you on chemo to try to shrink that sucker down.  You might want to call and ask about that.  Plus, you'd be able to see if you had a complete pathologic response too.  I would if it was me anyway.  I'm triple negative too.  I wish they'd get you something NOW to try to make it at least curb the growth rate!  Trust me, being in the medical field and knowing all this stuff makes it worse for us.  But I will say the dread before mastectomy was 100 times worse than the actual event!!  I had bilateral... BRCA2+... and would do it again in a heartbeat.  Versed was my best friend... had it prior to surgery and didn't remember anything other than talking to the BS.

kelben

I have dense breast tissue too.  My tumour was found by mammogram almost a year ago.  2.5x3.0 TN.  I had right mastectomy and now waiting for recon.  Now I am feeling hardness and only sore when I push on it, lump in left breast at 6:00.  I finished 4 rounds chemo in Sept.  so I am hoping this is just nothing to worry about.  Seeing BS Jan 10.  Everyone is away for Christmas.

chinablue

I found my tumor through self exam.

beetle25

I found my tumor because I was having severe breast pain.  It would shot be extremely pain for for a couple of minutes and then go away.  It always become more painful at night when I would take of my bra. 

kathyk1110

One day my tumor just appeared. It felt huge to me. It was 1.3cm when I felt it and grew to 3.4 cm in one month. I was on a clinical trial. 4 rounds A/C, 4 rounds Ixempra and 36 rounds of radiation. From what I've read the tnbc tumors come out of nowhere. It's very scary

jcoutee

I had had a baby in Dec. and was breast feeding her when I found mine.  It felt like a marble.  I'm 28 years old.  My ob/gyn said that it was probably fibroadenoma and I was too young to have breast cancer.  He said that the youngest he had seen in his practice was 35.  My surgeon said it probably was nothing.  Even after my needle biopsy came back "suspicious" he still said probably nothing.  What a shock I was in when I found out!

SusanHG

My tumor was found on routine mammogram.  I had a 5 mm. area of calcifications.  After a stereotopic biopsy, it came back as pure DCIS.  Had lumpectomy a month later.  They found 3 mm. tumor hidden within a large area of DCIS.  Since they did not get clear margins, I had re-xcision last week.  No cancer cells found.  Now onto rads...