How much time between initial diagnosis and treatment?

brandysands

Any thoughts on how the benefits of early detection may be offset by the time it takes to actually get treatment? I am 49 and live in a rural area. I was diagnosed with invasive mammary carcinoma based on the preliminary results of a biopsy I had last Thursday, January 14. A palpable lump appeared about a week before my scheduled mammogram on January 5th, and it wasn't until the 15th that I had the US and core biopsy. This is all I know other than the comments made by the doctor that did my biopsy: lump is away from the nipple, not attached, and there is no vascularity. The lump was around 2.5 cm during the US. It may be swelling from the biopsy, but honestly I think the lump has grown. I won't get the pathology report until Friday of this week. The earliest I can get an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester (best option and about 8 hours from home) is January 28th. By this time it will be about a month since I first noticed the lump. How detrimental is this to have a month go by and how common? Like the other newbies, I am having difficulty with the waiting and the unknown. My doc prescribed Ativan today after I called her to let her know I am having trouble coping. At her suggestion I have been trying to educate myself on the topic of breast cancer, but this is hard to do without a pathology report. I was glad to find this resource.

marijen

Hi,

Here you go.

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/timely-treatment-improves-survival

Kicks

17 days for me between DX and starting neoadjuvant chemo.

ayr1016

brandysands First of all, WELCOME. Just wanted to chime in and say I was diagnosed on DEC 22nd and have met with my surgeon and will meet with my medical oncologist this Friday. So, I have not had surgery or started treatment yet. But, I hope that it is soon scheduled. I have realized that sometimes it is not uncommon to start treatment a month or so out depending on how aggressive, etc. your BC is. The waiting is the hardest, but the Ativan will help Friday will be here in no time.

ETA: added more!

momand2kids

Hi

I remember the dates.  Lump found on 10/29. Lumpectomy on 11/25. Chemo stared on 1/16. 

msphil

bout a month or so for me diagnosed to chemo before surgery then chemo after i also took ativan But thank God i am now a 22yr Survivor this yr(Praise God) hang in there. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo n rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.

msphil

bout a month or so for me diagnosed to chemo before surgery then chemo after i also took ativan But thank God i am now a 22yr Survivor this yr(Praise God) hang in there. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo n rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.

tangandchris

I had delayed chemo due to infection complications from my surgery. Dx'd 10/24, surgery 11/27 and chemo the next February....I can't remember exact date but it was close to Valentines. I was really freaked out initially about how long it was taking to start treatment. However once I started chemo I have as miserable and wished I'd never done it lol.

Ruru99

I had a mammogram in July (1999 by the way), felt the lump in August, thought it was a cyst. Felt lumps in underarm in October. Ultrasound November 11, fine needle aspiration on November 15, diagnosis November 18, mastectomy November 30, chemo Jan 4, radiation July 5 - Aug 16. Can't forget those dates.....Stage IIIA triple negative IDC. Still here.

Moderators

Hi Brandy-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry you find yourself here, but we're glad you've joined us, and hope you find the support you need as you begin down this road. As you can see from the responses you've already gotten, this is a diverse, supportive, and knowledgeable community, and we're here for you every step of the way!

The waiting is really one of the hardest parts, but it looks like a month or so is about average. The Ativan will help. You might also find the info here helpful, to educate yourself about what's happening and what's to come!

Please let us know if we can be of any assistance!

The Mods

Logang

I found my lump on 12/8/15, had diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound on 12/14/15. I waited for the 1st available appt with a comprehensive breast center and had my biopsy on 1/5/16. I was diagnosed on 1/8/16 and my surgery is scheduled for 1/25. Good luck to you!

Junebug57

Hi,

I had my first mammogram April 22, 2015. All was fine, both breasts but I did have to have a closer look at the left breast because of microcalcifications. But they said it was fine. Then my husband was diagnosed in October 2015 with prostate cancer. He started 39 radiation treatments that ended on December 28th, 2015. I noticed a lump on my left breast around the 1 o'clock area. I thought how can this be? How did I miss feeling this? So I didn't say anything because I felt so bad to tell my husband since he was going through his treatments. I waited until January 6th, 2016 and called my primary care doctor. They got me in immediately that day. I had a mammogram of both breasts on the 7th of Jan. and an ultrasound on the left breast. Let me tell you that squishing that lump hurt very badly. I went back to the doctor on the 8th. He said I would have to have a biopsy of the lump. I had to get more views of my right breast and a ultrasound on it also on Jan. 14th. My biopsy was on Jan. 15th. The radiologist said that the tissue from the biopsy looked good but I would have to wait for the pathologist report. My doctor's office called Jan. 18th for my husband and I to come in for the results. He still did not have the copy of the pathologist report but the pathologist had called to tell him I have cancer in my left breast. Now I am waiting for an appointment with the cancer institute that I will be going to. I don't like this waiting business. I want to get started right away! So I don't know my stage yet or any of this terminology. But I am reading all the information that I can and talking to my friends and their friends that have gone through breast cancer and survived. One thing I was wondering is does a biopsy stir up the cancer that's growing? My breast has been bruised looking ever since.

brandysands

Hi! I am new to this too and waiting for m pathology report, knowing only that I have invasive mammary carcinoma. I read in other posts that biopsies don't cause the cancer to spread. I, too, am bruised and sore. Either the lump is getting bigger or swelling is causing it to appear so. You are lucky to have friends that have had experience with this. None of my friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and it doesn't run in my family.

Moderators

Hi June and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're so sorry you find yourself here, but really glad you found us!

And, we're sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis too. You two are really going through it.

Yes, it's a myth as far as we know that a biopsy/surgery will spread the cancer. Don't let that worry you.

Once you receive your pathology report, you can visit the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Your Diagnosis, which will walk you through what each piece of your report means. Of course, come back here and let us all know how we can help you interpret your results and you're sure to receive lots of great advice from the other incredible members here.

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

--The Mods

Junebug57

Thanks! I will have my pathology report soon. My daughter took matters into her hands and got me an appointment with the oncologist that my primary care Dr couldn't seem to make happen. I have an appointment Tuesday January 26th. What a relief I felt today!!

Junebug57

Hi brandysands,

My lump was 3 cm at 1 o'clock left breast. I have two other places they did not bother to biopsy. I believe one was a lymph node but the other was a perfectly round cyst. I suppose all that will be examined before too long but hopefully only my lump is cancerous. I want that pathology report! Do I ask for it or just wait until I go to my appointment next Tuesday? Breast cancer does not run in my family either. I am 58 years old.

mmshea

Hello,

Thank you for this post...I found a lump the last week of Dec 2015. My primary physician just called to tell me my pathology report came back with a diagnosis of ILC. I too am awaiting a call from a BS and am very overwhelmed. It appears as though I may need to wait a week to get in for my appointment with a BS. Would you all recommend I find an oncologist as well...I am confused as to who I am supposed to see first as it sounds as if some women have to have chem prior to surgery.

TIA for input.

jbres1

Good afternoon,

I went from finding the lump on 11-10-15 to a mastectomy on 12-15-15, and started taking Tamoxifen on 1-25-16.

I feel very luck to be living in a large metro area where ther are many choices for care.

I hope I made the correct choice, only time will tell.

Best of luck to you all,

Jim

Kiks1

Mmshea,

I had my mammo and us at a breast center where they also had nurse navigator's to help patients with coordinating appointments. I was able to get appointments all in one place a week after dx with an oncologist, radiology oncologist, and breast surgeon. In between, they had me scheduled for a breast mri so that all results will be available during the consult. What was great is that they were all able to coordinate my care and treatment plan. I was in surgery within 10 days. Perhaps, you can ask the BS or PCP if they could recommend an oncologist.

The first few weeks are the worst but it does get a little better. I had my oncologist prescribed xanax and that helped me get through the worst of it. Take care.

brandysands

We were disappointed in our first visit to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The nurse I spoke to after setting up the appointment back on 1/18 told me that I would meet with the internist first and then based on that meeting, the internist would set up all of the appointments that I needed over the course of two days.

Turns out it takes two weeks from the initial appointment to meet with the MO, surgeon and radiologist. They know I have breast cancer, and they had my pathology report and slides in advance. Why wait to set up those appointments? I did have an ultrasound which showed nothing in the lymph nodes and an MRI which I haven't gotten the results of yet.

I have appointments set up for 2/10 to meet with the specialists that I thought I would see this week. Since I am HER2+, the internist is 85% sure I will have targeted therapy first. She figures I will have Herceptin but is not sure what chemo will be prescribed since the MO determines this. Unless Mayo has some special protocol, even I can figure out that I will probably do TCHP. She's not sure when I would start treatment but is going to talk to the surgeon assigned to my case. They haven't assigned an MO yet.

I feel like if they aren't going to put a port in and start treatment the next time I am there, I should go somewhere else. Any recommendations on a treatment center that moves faster than this?

Thanks!

vbishop

Brandy -

At the end of the day, you need to do what's best for you.  Go with your gut.  However, here is my two cents:

From diagnosis to the beginning of treatment is probably the hardest time.  Patience, grasshopper!  These time lines are pretty typical.  You've been diagnosed and now you are in the middle of getting all other tests out of the way and meeting with the specialists to determine the best course of action.  Mayo is putting together your team (and not everyone has a team - count your blessings there) and in less than two weeks, you will know more about treatment and time lines.  Trying to see someone else now will only delay that process.  Add the fact that Mayo has a stellar reputation..... all in good time.  You don't want to rush decisions.  Not with this.

Hang in there!!

vbishop

Mmshea,

The oncologist really drives the bus.  But I saw my surgeon first and then my oncologist a couple of days later.  The oncologist makes the determination if chemo or radiation is required pre surgery or not.  If your doctors are worth their salt, they will communicate very closely with each other during the course of your treatment and after (mine guys still talk, and I'm two+ years out).  ILC is a sneaky sucker and does not always show up on imaging.  Lucky you found it.  One good thing about ILC is that it typically is slow to grow.  PM me if you have ILC specific questions. Good luck!

brandysands

Thanks for the advice. It is so difficult to not have any control over this.

vbishop

brandysands -

Cancer sucks no matter how you slice it.  Before you know it, you will be knee deep in treatment and you won't feel so out of control anymore.  That roller coaster ride will be over.  The only other thing I can add is to try not to borrow trouble - go with what you know, right now, about your specific cancer and hang on to that.  Stay away from the what ifs....you'll drive yourself nuts.  It will minimized the worry and "oh crap" moments, which don't add anything to your life right now.  I am sure your family and friends are waiting for clues from you on what they can do to help.  Let them help when you need it.

A lot of women start a blog.  It helps tame the emotional beast, communicate with friends and family, and just gives you a place to "dump".  Just a thought if you are so inclined.

Anyway, you're in a safe place here.  Moan, groan, whine, complain, celebrate...we're all here for each other. 

jlstacey

Here's my story: I found a lump in my breast on 12/23/2014. I called my ob/gyn the next day, on call, and he immediately called me back. Due to the holidays, I wasn't able to have a mammogram and ultrasound until 1/6/2015. They were able to fit me in for a biopsy on 1/8, then I got dx that there were cancer cells on 1/9. I didn't have specifics at that point, just knew that it was cancer. I immediately started looking into doctors. At my biopsy appointment, the tech advised me to go ahead and scheduled an appointment with a breast surgeon she recommended. I couldn't get in until three weeks later with her! So, I have a good friend who knew someone who knew someone and got me into a multidisciplinary clinic within about ten days.I was hand delivering records (moving from one hospital to another) but the clinic was great. It was on a Friday. I met with the MO, RO, breast surgeon, nurse navigator and social worker. It took several hours, but things just happened so quickly. I had never been felt up so much in my life! The RO was concerned she felt a "thickening" in one of my lymph nodes so I was sent to imaging right away to get a mammogram and US. I got my port in the following Monday. But then, I had to wait over a week to start chemo.I was told that the cancer had likely been growing over a year (I was TNBC, grade 3, so very aggressive) and that a couple weeks would be OK.

For me, I wanted surgery right away- I just wanted that lump out! I totally get the anxiety. That clinic made me feel like I had a plan and was doing something though. It was really good for my psyche. If you have the opportunity for a multi-disciplinary clinic, I highly recommend you go. It is so much easier than trying to coordinate a bunch of doctors.

I wish you good luck, and really hope that you get that port in and get started soon! The chemo sucks, but you will know you are conquering the cancer beast!

anniekaja11

I had this stressor too. My doctor told me of a major study that showed that the optimal time zone from diagnosis to surgery is 89 days. After that, it shows some progression but bc is actually a slow growing cancer. I asked well what about how long until you went in for the mamo? What about the time before you discovered it...He just stated the data findings, under 89 days from the date of diagnosis to surgery was what they documented. So you are in the window. So much of this is a horrible fear trip, I think that's the evil essence of Darth Cancer - fear. I wish you peace and trust in the process.

Annie

ChiSandy

I never had a lump. Was feeling in the best shape of my adult life when a routine annual mammo on 8/17 showed a “focal asymmetry” in my R breast that hadn’t shown up in either of the previous two years. That report appeared in my patient portal inbox on 8/18, less than 24 hr after I had the mammo. Earliest diagnostic mammo/ultrasound appt. I could get (and I had to nag to get it) was 8/24. Could have had biopsy as early as 9/1, but I had a work/study trip to New Orleans & Scranton the next day (8/26) and the radiologist said that whatever was in there was likely several years in the making. So I had the biopsy 9/8 and got the diagnosis 9/9. Got the earliest surgeon appt. available, which was 9/14. And I got her first available surgical date, 9/23 (she had to trade OR time with her partner to get it). Radiation was 11/2-23, and because I had a European cruise coming up, my MO let me wait till 1/1 to start letrozole (I jumped the gun and started it New Year’s Eve).

So from the first "uh-oh” to surgery was a little over a month; from diagnosis to surgery, two weeks. Caveat is that all of this was at a major metro area breast center affiliated with a topnotch hospital’s cancer center (NorthShore Evanston Hospital’s Center for Breast Health and Kellogg Cancer Center), affiliated with the University of Chicago and Mayo Clinic. If you’re in a smaller city, or a small town, it could take longer.