Am I cancer Free?

Interesting question!  I like to think I am cancer free, however I know I have a long road ahead of me.  I just got my oncotype results and meet with the Oncologist on the 7th to find out about chemo.

It's too bad your sister can't celebrate how lucky you are to have found this early so that it hasn't spread.  It is still a very big deal, and so unusual for a 30 year old to get BC in the first place. So, maybe I would expect a pat on the back for the early detection, not a flip of the hair as it is no big deal.  

So, I like to think that you (and I!) are cancer free at the moment, but we have some serious housekeeping to do (chemo, radiation, hormone therapy) to keep ourselves cancer free.

I have found at the wise old age of 44, I want to be with positive people who "get it".  I don't want a ton of sympathy, and I don't want a flip attitude either.  Don't worry about your sister- sounds like she has other issues.  Focus on the great news that you have, with the understanding that you have more to do.  Let's say a prayer, or send a message thru the universe to your sister that she take care of herself with more understanding then she is sending your way!

Take care of yourself and good luck with the rest of the information and treatment you receive!  Hey - my lumpectomy was on 12/1 too so we have that in common!

Susan

Breast cancer is a tricky little beast.  Although most of us are "cured" after our surgery and/or other treatments, it's impossible to actually know who is and who isn't cured.  This is why most doctors say that breast cancer can't be cured, even though most of us will never have a recurrence and never get BC again.  Until you pass away peacefully in your bed at the age of 96, you (or your doctors) can't say with 100% certainty that you've been cured. 

The reason for this is because even though your doctor may be very certain that he removed all of the cancer, it's always possible that a few microscopic cancer cells were left behind in the breast tissue or possibly ever sneaked out of the breast undetected, through either the lymph nodes or vascular system.  These cells may sit dormant for some time or die on their own, or they may start to grow & multiply.  And that becomes a recurrence.  It's because of this risk of recurrence that radiation, chemo and Tamoxifen are prescribed - all 3 can be effective at killing off any of these stray cancer cells that might remain after surgery.  By having these treatments, you can reduce your recurrence risk significantly.  But some risk always remains.  

So, are you cancer free?  Quite probably but unfortunately there is no way to know for sure.  My approach - and I think the approach of most women who've been diagnosed with BC - is to believe that I am cancer free or NED (no evidence of disease) until someone proves otherwise.  And hopefully I will live the rest of my life without anyone ever proving otherwise!

When he says he got all the cancer, he means he got everything he could see. He can't see individual cells. He can't see areas where he isn't operating.