Meeting with Dr. Becker next Friday
Comments
-
A typo maybe. scar
DUH!
-
Trisha--
Hoping for you that when they go in during surgery the docs will find that nodes are suitable and you will wake up with successful surgery and relief from LE! Never any guarantees but still positive hopes.
I just got called that my Lymph node transfer surgery was approved! It took about 6 weeks to get approved I am having it on december 14 along with Stage 2 of SGAP reconstruction surgery. Imaging will be done the day before surgery. My surgeon will b sending new orders to my pt-clt for mode of care before and after surgery.
Those r good questions about donor site incisions and how they look. You're right ... When I google around all i find are surgery pics of docs digging around. No pics of sewn up donor and recipient sites. Will b adding this to my list of questions.
This is probably a dumb question, but have patients having DIEP surgery ever had leg LE from the DIEP surgery damaging lower nodes? -
Sorry about that, it was scar that i was mentioning
Well, the thing is, I have had an lymfo-venous-anastomosis, and allthough it is at my footh, I have two scars and the anastomosis didn't really help... So I have payed some money, only for two scars...
When I read that about the woman being very much surprised about the two scars from Lymf Node transfer... I was thinking 'doctors never say / show anything about that'. ...
@ Happy Trisha: when i went for anastomosis they told me the same (that they couldn't tell me before if it was going to help... I was only going to find out when I woke up after surgery.
I don't really understand that... Does it mean that they (sorry for my language) just going to 'cut you open' and see at the moment if you have big enough vessels? Isn't there any change then that they will accidentaly damage good vessels?
I don't understand that they can't see it before. I saw a movie from my surgery. They injected this dye and then they turned off the light in the room. They put a special lamp on it and I could see in 'real time' how the dye was moving upwards in my lymf system. In my other footh it didn't really move. So I don't understand. After this procedure they see where you have the superficial lymf vessels, how big they are and if they are working. Why can't they just do this, and tell you wether you are suitable? In my case it would have saved me a lot of money. Since I payed for the surgery. Then they do this 'screaning' and they see that I didn't have any vessels, or at least working ones. And then they know that cutting me open will not have a huge improvement....But at that time I am sedated and I allready payed the surgery that will not lead to anything...
Now I am more carefull with these things as you can imaging....
So I am curious how they will do it in your case...
Greetings!
-
I hope that I explained myself ok... talking English is one thing, talking about a surgery in English is another
-
I have found one picture, but to be honest, i don't think it looks nice...
That is why I would like to find more pictures from people who did it. My surgeon said that the scar is quite big at both donor site and transfer site. . .
-
kharimata, the woman in Ohio has already had the procedure performed twice. If you PM me, I will give you her email address. I'm sure you can ask her directly about the scarring. Have you looked on the websites of the doctors who perform the work in the US? Lots of times they have before and after pictures of their surgeries, though I don't know if they necessarily would have the scars exposed. I am sure though that if you emailed them (unless you have international calling and it wouldn't cost you a fortune) and asked questions they would be happy to answer them and they might even be willing to send you some pictures of the areas of both the donor site and the transplant site. I will try to look around to see if I can find anything in the meantime.
You might also want to go back through this thread and ask anyone who has said she's had the procedure already. I'm pretty sure there are one or two here who said they've done it. If you PM them I'm sure they would be happy to describe the scarring.
**************
PinkHeart, I am so excited for you that insurance was approved. For whatever reason it seems that insurance companies are more and more willing to go in that direction. Heck I can think of one reason off the bat. If the surgery is successful, they probably pay less in the long run because LE treatments possibly disappear. Good ole' insurance companies.
-
That’s it my friends
In Hebrew we say "Mazal Tov" which means congratulations...
I have done it
Met Dr Corinne Becker (from Paris) and Dr josh Levin (from New York)
Both plastic surgeons last week on the 11th, at Tel Aviv health center - Israel
And after meeting with them had the Surgery on the 14th
Along with me there where 4 other Israelis patients that had undergo this procedure as well-
2 woman who had had breast cancer and 2 others like me with primary lymphdema at there lower limbs
Along with Becker and josh Levin there where other Israelis doctors in the operating room –that watched dr becker's and levin's work , the whole thing took about 2 and a half hours
They took 4 nodes close to my right chest line (near my right exile) and put it above my left knee – since from my left feet and calf up to my left knee is most of my problem
I was at the hospital since the day of my surgery 14th – Wednesday till Sunday and now I am home
I feel o.k. – off course I have to rest all day long with my feet up, the places where they took the nodes from– looks like a very small cut – and I hope it will scar well, also where they put them does not look big at all, so I'm not worried about the scaring– after all they are plastic surgeons..
It will take about a month until I will go back to normal activity
Dr Becker explained me that the nodes that were transplanted have to "get used to their new home" at my knee
And after a month they will start growing lymfh vessel's about one millimeter a day – so it will take up to six months until I will see an improvement and about 2 years to final results
I will have to continue MLD as usual (physiotherapy) and bandaging as if I hadn’t done any surgery for the next 2 years.
On 13 of February I will fly off to Paris for a check up – and meet with dr Becker again.
There I will have an MRL-lymphgraphy(the special MRI trisha was talkin about on her writing's above) it's an exam that among other can show you how much lymph vessels have grown from the new lymph nodes – here in Israel we don’t have it yet
, but I know in New York you have it already – so no need for you folks to fly off to Paris
That’s all for now
Very happy how every thing turned out- I consider it my own private miracle, I guess I was at the right place at the right time
can't wait to see what will come of it
-
Natalie,
Congratulations to you on having surgery with THE top surgeon, Dr. Becker, for lymph node transfer. I saw on Dr. Levine's web site that he would be in Tel Aviv this month and wondered if you would be his patient there.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal story. Please keep us posted on your progress - you give much hope to other LE patients.
My microsurgeon, Dr. Richard Kline (Charleston, South Carolina) also trained with Dr. Becker years ago, and recently met with her again in NYC. I am scheduled for surgery on December 14. He will be performing Stage 2 of my bilateral SGAP reconstruction, and also the lymph node transfer. There will be 3 surgeons involved. The PT-CLT (physical/lymphedema) therapist I saw there in Charleston when I had my Stage 1 surgery asked if she could attend my surgery to observe. I told my surgeon perfectly okay with me to educate as many as possible. My local PT-CLT is very up on this procedure and hopeful for me. I wish she could travel with me for my surgery.
My lymph nodes will be taken from around left groin area as a small flap with arteries, then transfered to area in my right axilla. The incisions will be minor; however, under my axilla the incisions may be visible with certain swimsuit or tank top styles. I've got so many scars from breast reconstruction failures (from implants and radiation) and having natural breast reconstruction using my own skin flaps to fix everything, that one more scar doesn't matter to me.
Do you have LE garments you can wear instead of bandaging? For my arm I have daytime sleeves to wear, and I now have a night time sleeve to wear for bed. I also have a LymphaPress machine that takes about 30 minutes to reduce any fluid in my arm or chest wall/trunk.
Many warm wishes for excellent recovery and relief from LE!
-
Natalie!!! I am hoping for the best possible outcome for you!!! Keep us posted!
-
Hi PinkHeart
Very happy to hear about your upcoming surgery, im already considering my second , I have LE in both lower limbs – from the ankle up to my knees , I thank god that until this day , it does not appear I have LE at my thighs at all , my left feet is worse from my right one , that’s why I had it done first , my right one looks pretty close to what it used to be like before I had LE but still on a very warm and humid day (and we have many of those in Tel Aviv), with out elastic garment on , you can defiantly see my feet and calf is swollen , Dr.Becker said when I met her , we will take care of the Left leg first and will see about the right one , since im visiting her in end of February in Paris , I will consult with her weather to have a another surgery on my right one as well.
About the elastic garments and compressive compressions , up until today I walked all day with elastic stocking that were especially ordered and cut for me, By " JOBST"company, it’s a germen company , very known for its stockings , so You might have heard of it , as I said my problem is at my feet and calf area so I could ware elastic stockings until the knee, leaving my thighs free of elastic stockings , now after I had the surgery , Dr Becker explained me I will have to ware an elastic stocking until my inguinal area on my operated limb , and on my right limb I can stay with the same elastic stockings as I had before, since im fanatic about taking care of my legs , I always buy a very high comp ration level – meaning 3+ , dr Becker said there's no need for that on my operated limb since to much pressure on the operated area will not benefit it , so I should ware an elastic stockings with comp ration rate 2..and that’s what I ordered, so this time I bought MEDIVEN since its so much thinner than jobst and has nicer feel on my skin, I wanted to find something very comfortable since it will take me some adjustment time to get used to going with a full elastic stoking until the inguinal area, on my right leg I continue to go with "JOBST" cause it’s a very thick and efficient stockings to patients who like high compration on their LE limb.
As for night time – I do self MLD each night, and wrap my self with compressive compressions – I know its a lot of work, and that today there are More easy and quick compressions such as "Ferro rap", but I prefer the old fashion way of bandaging, also my physiotherapist says it’s the best effective one for treating lymphdema and that after all is the most important thing
anyway happy to inform you my physiotherapist attended my surgery as well , observing it all , and also other well known physiotherapist from here were in the other 4 patients surgeries…I think the same as you , if I can help give information about this procedure to fellow patients physiotherapist ect. Why not?
About the lymph press, though im young J I guess im an old fashion girl, I believe in self MLD and compressive compressions as much more efficient then other possibilities so I stick to that, I have not tried "lymph press " ever and frankly im al littlie afraid of it, as I heard it could do harm to the remaining nodes in the LE area
Very happy to hear you are also having it done soon, I understand Dr.Becker, is due to arrive to New York on December, to operate patients, will she be attending your operation as well?
Best of luck for now
Keep me informed
Natalie
******************************
Nordy - tnx for the warm wishes
I Will keep u updated
-
Hi Natalie~
Thanks so much for keeping us posted. How are you feeling after your surgery? Do you have any limititations such as lifting, driving, or working?
Are the donor and recipient sites healing well with any special care?
Sorry for so many questions.
So glad for this discussion board and patients like you sharing your personal experience with LE.My surgery is December 14th in Charleston, SC. Just found out from the imaging company that the MRI & MRA lymphangiogram will be TWO HOURS long! I will definitely need my friend Xanax to be in the MRI machine that long. For my Stage 1 SGAP breast recon surgery I was in the machine for only 40 minutes and was on my stomach, which made it easier.
From what I understand I will be in surgery for 4-6 hours, but I am having both LN transfer and Stage 2 SGAP surgery at same time. I will have a private hospital room and be discharged in the late afternoon the day after my surgery. If I need to stay longer, the insurance has already approved longer stay.
I note that you were in the hospital for 4-5 days. Did you have much pain? From your description, your LE sounds more severe than mine.
My surgeon was supposed to meet with Dr. Becker in NYC recently, but I'm not sure if that took place because of Hurricane/Storm Sandy. I plan to ask him though.
Take care!
-
HI Pinkheart
My LE is not severe at all - it's considered stage 2. On my right lower limb you can hardly tell anything, and my left lower limb is mediocre seize...it's mostly at my feet and calf so you can hardly notice ,Im just really into taking care of it treatments weize because I want it to be better to non existence
As for the donor site - I have a small unnoticeable scar on my right axilla - 2 sm long, And on my recipient site - I have a 4 sm scar on my inner left thigh, looks like the skin is hilling good, as for pain - no special pains or pain reliefs needed , I feel fine
About staying in the hospital 4 days after my surgery , as I explained , this is the first time Israeli hospital has done this procedure even though it was done by the top surgeon Dr. Corrine Becker, so the Israeli plastic surgeons that attended my operation wanted to be on the safe side…
Why aren't u having an MRL – lymphografy insted of an MRI ? That’s the best exam for this kind of operation
Keep me posted, best of luck for now
-
Hi Natalie,
I am having both the MRI and MRA LymphAngiogram. One looks at bones and the other vessels. I beieve it's the same test, only different terminology?
Do you know how many lymph nodes were in your axilla and how many were transferred?
Thanks again!
-
MRL is a different kind of test - it shows lymph vessels and lymph nodes - it's not the same as MRA or MRI - both shows only bloode vessels.
They took about 4 nodes from the donor site, about how many I had there before - don't know
-
Hi. Guess i need to ask the doc. On my order it says: MRI MRA LymphAngiogram.
Wouldn't LymphAngiogram be an angiogram of the lymph vessels?
This order may even be 3 different tests for bones, blood vessels, and lymph vessels. -
Maybe it's because u don't have there yet
I know you have in Paris and in New York...it's the best one for this kind of operation. Send me Ur e mail on a private message and ill send you its protocol - u can show it to your doctor
-
Hi Natalie,
Below is a link to a medical abstract by Dr. Vasile, Dr. Joshua Levine and other NYC surgeons with discussion regarding the MRI Lymphangiogram, which is the test I will be having before and after surgery. The test will be repeated again on me in the future, though Dr. Kline has not set a date yet.
Here are a few excerpts:
"A novel technique of assessing the lymphatic flow in a patient with lymphedema after axillary node dissection was developed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lymphangiography. The purpose of the new technique was to view the pathology of lymph flow in the affected extremity in relation to the anatomy and ascertain changes in the lymph flow after microsurgical lymph node transfer to the axilla."
"MR Lymphangiography is a new technique that can visualize the anatomy of the lymph dysfunction of an affected extremity in an individual patient and also represents an objective method of evaluating the result of surgical treatment for lymphedema."
http://aahs.asrm.aspn.confex.com/oasys_new/2010/preliminaryprogram/abstract_10999.htm
I believe Trisha, the originator of this post, has Dr. Vasile as her surgeon. There are several surgeons in the U.S. who have trained with Dr. Becker who are located in NYC, Charleston, Los Angeles, New Orleans (and probably more).
I found this brief abstract to be very informative from a patient perspective, and hope and pray for all surgeons around the world to have great success with their patient's outcomes, and that their data is being contributed to research studies.
-
sounds about right - Gled ur in good hands
-
All is well and time will tell.
Thank goodness though for oxycodone and morphine.
My surgery was 7 hours. I have 3 drains Dr K did extensive work on left breast by totally lifting and repositioning the flap. Tweaked my SGAP butt a little Not much fat grafting because saving it for stage 2b in June.
Lymph node transfer gave them some excitement in the OR. My vessels were the tiniest they have ever worked on to achieve anastomosis. They took a small flap with lymph nodes in it from my left groin area and attached it in my right axilla. So it was successful from blood flow standpoint but it will be several months to even begin change/improvement in LE. The nurses said they did a lymph node transfer on patient last week too. Kinda wish i could talk to her since not too many patients in U.S. have had this surgery. I discharge tomorrow.
It really was nice to meet cascader and sln-tn! I was telling Dr Kline about how patients network on these boards and PM or do phone calls or even meet other patients in person and how much the support between patients have helped us dealing with breast cancer.
Had fun the week before and had 3 beautiful days to walk all the beaches. Walked Folly Beach then caught a sunset then went to Festival of Lights. So nice to walk through the park in warm weather!
Also shopped around Summerville square and sat in cozy coffee shop yaking away with old friends on rainy day was fun too. -
Natalie and Pink Heart - I've been out of the loop for a while (holidays overload plus a busy work load) but am now catching up. I am THRILLED for both of you for having done it and for having it behind you!!! These are exciting times for us aren't they? I've heard from Dr. Vasile's office. They had an opening in a few weeks and also in the middle of January, but with Christmas and my work schedule, there was no way I could free up the time. I told them that from the middle of February on, I should be able to work it out - as long as I know as far in advance as possible of course. The main thing I'm going to have to hear about, though I think I should be able to figure it out from what I've read here, is what my responsibilities are before I have the surgery. The only thing I do about my arm is to put on my compression sleeve maybe once every three or four weeks or so, if I notice that I have a real lot of swelling. Other than that, I do nothing. So if I have to either wrap or have massage for any period of time, I'll have to make sure I factor that in.
God bless Dr. Corrine Becker for coming up with something that certainly appears to treat the disease and not just the symptoms!!!!
-
Trisha
I think each surgeon has own proto on wrapping pre and post surgery.
I woke up from surgery with arm wrapped.
Ive been going to pt-clt 2x week for several months. She really wanted me more compliant with wearing sleeve everyday but i was just wearing every other. Sometimes i say im fine but she shows me fluid
and moves it.
When i see dr k at post op appt i will find out more on post op care.
Natalie~ How are you doing?
Happy holidays to all. -
Had 3 drains for stage 2 bilat SGAP and LNT last Friday Dec 14 for 7 hour surgery with Dr Kline and two day hospital stay.
Dr Craigie removed drain #1 at discharge. It was drain for recipient site of Lymph Node Transfer in right axilla.
No laughin' all you RN's out there, but i'm so excited I REMOVED DRAIN #2 ALL BY MYSELF TODAY! 😊
It was in my left breast that had major flap repositioning. Could see the tubing through my skin and it was pinchy so good riddance. Dr C showed me how and I had sterile suture kit to take home.
Drain #3 is in my left groin which was the donor site for my LNT. Should come out in next day or two. Doc has me waiting until 10cc for two days this time.
Also gave myself Lovenox shots. Actually prefer drain removal and that sense of relief/freedom.
This was just my experience. Please check with your own doc regarding your individualized care. -
Pinkheart - I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for you! I hope your results from your surgery are fantastic! Hurray for you! Please keep us posted!
-
Happy Trisha, how are you doing? Are you still considering lymph node transfer in the near future?
Pink Heart, how is your recovery goin? I hope everyting went well. When will you see the first signs of the LNTransfer? Only in few months, or allready sooner?
One month ago I had a nice drive to Paris to see Dr. Becker... Paris is not the worst place to go to for a dokter visit
She suggested me to have an IRM scan in Paris and at the moment I am waiting for approval from my insurance company to have this done at a foreign country. I hope it will not take too long. Dr. Becker said that this is the only and best way to check wether I am suitable for a LNT. When I am, I really consider to have this done and hopefully it is possible to have it done by Dr. Becker. When I wait to long, I am afraid that the next summer will worsen my LE. So I hope the insurance company can hurry up!Happy Newyear to you all! Hopefully 2013 will bring more options for LE treatment!
-
kharimata, I am definitely going to have the transfer done. The truth is that I've gained weight and am having a lot of trouble taking it off. I want to be down to my fighting weight, or close to it, when I have the surgery. (As an aside let me tell you my sad story.
I am one of the laziest people I know when it comes to will power. I'm always waiting for THE diet pill to be invented. Well check this out. I decided to try raspberry ketones because I had heard so much about it. Without doing anything else, my clothes started to hang off me. Not a word of lie! Then I was doing some research about it for one of my friends who has COPD and what did I accidentally find out? Raspberry ketones are thought to have an estrogenic effect. Since my BC was ER+, I can't chance going near something that stimulates estrogen! GRRRRR!!!!) I am convinced that my system is out of balance because I have incredible sweet cravings. But I don't know enough about it to be able to isolate the problem.I guess that's the long-hand answer! I am definitely going to do it. I'm excited for you and hope your insurance company comes through! Keep us posted!!!
HAPPY 2013 TO ALL OF US!!!
-
We've really lacked any kind of research as to the efficacy or safety of lymph-node trransplant surgery, but finally there's a new study just published (from Paris, no less!
). It doesn't cover the efficacy, so there's still no information about how effective it is in reducing LE over time, but it was looking at complications (side effects) and was able to quantify those. It's a small study, and observational, and I've only seen the abstract (below), not the full study, which would be interesting. We definitely need more studies on this, and we'll keep an eye out for them and pass them on to you all as they become available.Be well, all!
Binney
European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Available online 8 January 2013
Complications of Autologous Lymph-node Transplantation for Limb Lymphoedema
· S. Vignes, , M. Blanchard, A. Yannoutsos, M. Arrault
Department of Lymphology, Centre National de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires Rares (lymphœdèmes primaires), Hôpital Cognacq-Jay, 15, rue Eugène Millon, 75015 Paris, France
Objective
This study aims to assess potential complications of autologous lymph-node transplantation (ALNT) to treat limb lymphoedema.
Design
Prospective, observational study.
Method
All limb-lymphoedema patients, followed up in a single lymphology department, who decided to undergo ALNT (January 2004–June 2012) independently of our medical team, were included.
Results
Among the 26 patients (22 females, four males) included, 14 had secondary upper-limb lymphoedema after breast-cancer treatment and seven had secondary and five primary lower-limb lymphoedema. Median (interquartile range, IQR) ages at primary lower-limb lymphoedema and secondary lymphoedema onset were 18.5 (13–30) and 47.4 (35–58) years, respectively. Median body mass index (BMI) was 25.9 (22.9–29.3) kg m−2. For all patients, median pre-surgery lymphoedema duration was 37 (24–90) months. Thirty-four ALNs were transplanted into the 26 patients, combined with liposuction in four lower-limb-lymphoedema patients. Ten (38%) patients developed 15 complications: six, chronic lymphoedema (four upper limb, two lower limb), defined as ≥2-cm difference versus the contralateral side, in the limb on the donor lymph-node-site territory, persisting for a median of 40 months post-ALNT; four, post-surgical lymphocoeles; one testicular hydrocoele requiring surgery; and four with persistent donor-site pain. Median (IQR) pre- and post-surgical lymphoedema volumes, calculated using the formula for a truncated cone, were, respectively, 1023 (633–1375) ml (median: 3 (1–6) months) and 1058 (666–1506) ml (median: 40 (14–72) months; P = 0.73).
Conclusion
ALNT may engender severe, chronic complications, particularly persistent iatrogenic lymphoedema. Further investigations are required to evaluate and clearly determine its indications.
Keywords
* Complication;
* Lymphoedema;
* Autologous lymph-node transplantation;
* Surgery -
Thank you for that information Binney. You tend to be both conservative and vigiliant, not necessarily a bad combination. I agree with you that 26 patients is an extremely small study, especially when the study goes from 2004-2012. I'm know nothing about the hospital involved, nor the expertise of the performing surgeons. One thing that puts my mind at great ease in my own case is that Dr. Becker will be involved in my surgery. Since she has performed over 4000 ALNTs - a few more than 26
- she has had plenty of time to work out the kinks, as it were. I'm quite certain that she has said that she has not had any patients develop LE elsewhere as a result of the surgery (my main concern) and that nobody has gotten worse, while the vast majority of her patients have shown improvement. Those odds work just fine for me!I know one thing for certain. I wouldn't have my ALNT done at the hospital in Paris that was involved in the study!
-
In fact, check out what I just found!!!! The first study in the US is underway! Woo hoo!!! And Dr. Chen, the doctor in charge of the study, practices with my doctor, Dr. Vasile.
When you read the article, you'll see that Dr. Becker has been performing this surgery for more than TWENTY years!
You'll also see that I wasn't blowing smoke when I talked about her success rate and also about her patients basically not having to worry about developing LE elsewhere.
http://www.ascopost.com/issues/september-1-2011/a-conversation-with-constance-m-chen,-md,-mph.aspx
-
For anyone interested in enrolling in that study, I'm thinking that they pick up the expenses, right? If you have an insurance company that's hinky about ALNT, this might be the way to go! (I'm being totally honest when I tell you that I personally want Dr. Becker around for my surgery. Not sure whether she's part of the surgical team for the study, though it might be worth a call to find out, for anyone who wants the comfort and security of Dr. Becker's experience and expertise.)
-
Binney,
Thanks for posting that abstract on that small study. It would be interesting to know Dr. Becker's thoughts on that study. I may even ask my surgeon at my next appt. He emails with me promptly with my zillions of questions but I'll save the LNT study questions when I see him face to face in a few months. I will say that he is very conservative and made me really think about it. He has never had a patient have LE worsen. He trained with Dr Becker and still meets with her.
Darn, i wish i could read the entire journal article on that study. I previously worked in health outcomes research and could read articles to the hundreds of medical publications we subscribed to. Oh well, my eyes usually glaze over trying to understand the statistical methods.
I am 4 weeks post op for my LNT surgery done at the same time as my stage 2 SGAP breast recon surgery. It was a 7 hour surgery but the LNT portion was only 2 and half hours.
So far i am doing great. What pain that i still have is from my SGAP surgery. My LNT flap in my axilla recipient site seems happy and my groin donor site is healing nicely. Im shocked that i dont have any swelling after reading the operative notes and work performed in that area. My surgeon still prescribed continued appointments twice weekly with my PT-CLT and to wear day and night sleeves as often as possible. I plan to post my operative notes for the LNT sometime when at desktop computer and not from my iPhone.
Again, im doing well from LNT and I wish the same for all other patients making same personal choice. Now I just have to be patient and hope that one year, two years, etc from now that im not still screwed by lymphedema--breast cancer's dirty little secret.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team