Lupus and Breast cancer

DanielleH

Anyone else diagnosed with breast cancer and Lupus? I was struggling with my white cell counts during chemo and it turns out I had a positive ANA test showing positive for lupus.

Moderators

Hi DanielleH!

You're sure to get some responses here, but you may also want to post your story and questions in the Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity forum.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

SummerAngel

A positive ANA does not, in itself, indicate Lupus. Approximately 3-15% of healthy people have a positive ANA. http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiv... Do you have other symptoms?

I have what my rheumatologist currently labels "Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease", as I have a positive ANA as well as various other symptoms, but not enough for him to label me with Lupus - thankfully, as Lupus is a very serious label to put on someone. I have skin issues, though, which caused the ROs I saw to hesitate to give me radiation, which is part of the reason I ended up with a BMX vs lumpectomies, but only part. I currently take hydroxychloroquine, which helps a lot with my connective tissue symptoms.

pennsygal

Hi Danielle -

I was diagnosed with lupus 16 years ago - sometimes my ANA is positive, and sometimes it's negative. There are diagnostic criteria for lupus, and it typically takes a while to put all the pieces together for dx. Here's a helpful link: http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/diagnosing-lupus

Also, my rheumatologist recently told me that Cytoxan is used to treat advanced lupus, and having received it for bc, I may not be bothered by my lupus anymore. If you haven't seen one yet, I suggest you see a rheumatologist.

DanielleH

Thanks ladies. I really don't have any of the lupus symptoms. My family Dr felt a couple years ago that my positive ANA test might have been due to my endometreosis (I am quite the case load). That being said whatever the cause of the +ANA it is being a real pain with my white counts during chemo.