Lump in other breast?

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glassger
glassger Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Well, I haven't been to this discussion board in a while. But during the past week I've discovered a lump in the other breast. I had a Stage IIB tumor removed by lumpectomy in March 2007, followed by 8 chemos & 35 rads. Other than some lingering side-effects from the chemo, I thought I could finally coast for a while. Until the past week. I have a call in to my oncology nurse, but in the meantime I've been googling, trying to find anything about second cancers - especially in triple negative women. Then I remembered the wonderful women here. So.... has anyone on this board experienced finding a lump in the other breast? Care to share? Thanks & blessings to all, no matter where you are in the journey. ~ Mo

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  • baywatcher
    baywatcher Member Posts: 532
    edited December 2008

    I had a masectomy 8/04. It was DCIS, multiple areas, grade 3, TN. I was coasting too. Then the mammogram 9/08 found the lump. Had a second mast. This time it was weakly ER+, PR-. Hopefully yours is B9. Getting it the second time is worse and you are more freaked out. Good Luck ~ Bay

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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited December 2008

    My first tumor was in 2005. Had mast, chemo and reduction on opposite breast. Mammo found a small tumor in reduced breast in 2007. Had second mast and more chemo. Onc was certain second tumor wasn't caused by first. (First was medullary and second was IDC.) But I think triple-negs may have a higher chance of developing cancer in the opposite breast.

    I actually found my second go-round to be easier than my first. For one thing, I knew what to expect and I knew I could do it. Also, my first chemo was dose dense AC followed by Taxol, and it was very hard on me. My 2007 chemo regimen was weekly Taxol/Carboplatin, and the lower dosage was MUCH easier on me!

    Get your lump checked out. The sooner, the better. You may need a needle biopsy to be sure. 

    --CindyMN

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  • glassger
    glassger Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2008
    Thanks so much. It occured to me this morning that if I do have to go through it all again it might be easier because I'd know what to expect. (for some reason I think I'm in more control if I just KNOW things... right? ha ha). I'm having a mammo and ultrasound this afternoon at 1:30 so I should know more after that. I, too, have wondered if triple-neg has an influence on increased risk. There's a lot they still don't know about us "oddities", huh? What I found interesting in reading some other posts is that while the first tumor was triple-neg, it doesn't necessarily mean that another tumor would be as well. This cancer stuff has all kinds of nasty games, doesn't it? Anyway - thanks again for the response. It sure does help knowing that there are others out there who've made it through similar journeys. Wink
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  • glassger
    glassger Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2008

    Thanks so much for posting. I can't imagine (yet???) what it'd be like to go through two mastectomies, and it's so weird that two different cancers can be two different types. Our bodies are these unpredictable but incredible machines, aren't they? You aren't very far out from your second one. I hope you are recovering well. I'm having a mammo and ultrasound this afternoon, so I should know something more soon. And yep, I'm prepared for the biopsy as well. *deep sigh* We just do what we need to do. Blessings to  you. ~ Mo

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited December 2008

    Hi Glassger and good luck, I hope B9 is the word today.

    Yes I had a tumor come up last year on the other side.  I had been diagnosed 12/02 trip neg, lumpectomy, one node and again last year on the other side triple neg, no nodes.

    The tumor I had last year I was told was what they call a Second Primary not having anything

    to do with the first one.

    I believe there is a sort of level cut off the anxiety in knowing pretty much what you will be doing for awhile and what it is like for treatments so those worries aren't there but I felt anger, it was a big blow to my tummy.  I was put on Taxotere last year x 6 and had a horrible time but I had other health issues at the same time.

    We are all different.  Fingers crossed for good news.  You should also check out http://www.tnbcfoundation.org  Their focus in the forum is strictly triple negative breast cancer, alot of nice members there and good info.

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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited December 2008

    I've recovered well, although it took me a little longer to bounce back from treatment the second time around. I had to be reminded to have a little patience with myself! LOL

    For me, the second time was easier because I had more knowledge. I was angry, too, because I felt like I'd already given my "pound of flesh," so to speak. But it made the decision to have the second mastectomy very easy. Apparently my breast tissue was fertile ground for cancer.

    Now I feel safer, although I know that none of us are truly "safe."

    --CindyMN

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