Delaying treatment..how long can cancer wait

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Polyana
Polyana Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi all,

Has any one been into the experience of delaying their treatment plan either because of fear and uncertainty or because they are all messed up and can't decide. For those who had been into this situation, how did you pass it.

Have doctors ever talked about time frame, and the (PAUSE) situations that some if not all patients pass thro the time from being diagnosed to starting treatment. Where you are emotionally destroyed and don't know where to start from.

This is my situation, I think I need to get started, as I think my BC is starting to givr some slight signs that its not gonna wait any longer (I am warning you)!!!

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  • Pawprint
    Pawprint Member Posts: 464
    edited August 2010

    Hi Polyana, When I was diagnosed in June this year i was told I had some time to decide and go through additional tests and line up doctors and a strong support team. I was told not to wait too long. As you know Cancer never sleeps and cancer cells continue to multiply so the sooner you can get it out the better. Get a strong support team first. They will help you stay organized with appointments, go to doctors with you, take notes for you and help you after surgery. All you have to do is go through the motions of tests, doctor visits, surgery and healing. I was scared of the unknown when i was on the side you're on now, but now i had my surgery and healing, painful at times but pain meds and ice packs help a lot, i can say i am breathing easier having surgery done, diagnosis firmly in place, treatment plan started. Best to you. Sending you courage.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited August 2010
    Polyana ~ Are you saying you were dx'd on 3/24 and have not any any treatment to date?  If so, I'd say it's time!  Let us know how we can help you with any specific concerns or decisions!Deanna
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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited August 2010

    Polyanna,

     I'd say it's safe to take maybe  a month to six weeks to decide but after that you need to get things going. Let us know what your thoughts are and maybe we can help you decide.

    Tricia x

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited September 2010

    I was officially diagnosed August 17 last year and had my mastectomy october 20.  I felt that was a long time but I wanted to try to save my breast so I did additional testing to see if it was possible.  Being HER2 with a relatively large lump, they didn't want me to wait too long.  Nobody knows how long it's safe too wait so you need to do it as soon as you get a good understanding of what you are facing.

    I think you probably should schedule your surgery as you never know when that cancer cell is going to break free and land somewhere you don't want it.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited September 2010

    Most doctors feel that once a tumor is larger than 1 cm. there is a greater chance for metastasis, so please don't wait any longer.  If you do not have all your questions answered by doctors yet, by all means write them down and get the answers soon; then it is decision time and go with what you feel comfortable with.

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  • Robbi
    Robbi Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2010

    I have the opposite problem.  I was diagnosed in early august with ductal carcinoma and it has been a slow process just to get into see the surgeon.  Now I have to wait for my insurance to authorize another MRI which has not even been done yet.  My insurance company is waiting on the surgeions notes from my visit last week.

    My tumor is over 3 cm and is at an intermediate level.  Every day is a struggle waiting for a date for my surgery so that I can get started on my treatment.  How can I be patient.  I don't know when it will spread and they don't know either but yet they are taking their time and I'm afraid that their slow actions will increase my odds that I won't survive.  What do I do?

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  • CoolBreeze
    CoolBreeze Member Posts: 4,668
    edited September 2010

    Robbi, if you have DCIS,  you have lots of time to decide.  People with DCIS have almost a 100% cure rate, and it's not a medical emergency.  You have time to decide what treatment will be the best for you.  It's good you don't have to rush into anything, as whatever decision you make will have long-lasting effects. Of course, you need to be treated but it's not a life-threatening emergency.

    Here are some articles that might thelp you: http://www.dana-farber.org/res/research/dcis.html

    http://www.imaginis.com/breast-health/ductal-carcinoma-in-situ-dcis-3

    Good luck to you, I hope this helps! 

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited September 2010

    very interesting subject.JUST HOW LONG CAN CANCER WAIT?????

    goin for surgery #3.this started back in nov.2009.as some of you girls remember.

    HOW LONG DO I HAVE CANCEROUS NODES LEFT UNDER MY ARM??

    do the drs.know? i highly doubt it.sure you want to get them out as quickly as you can but what about the what IFS..there are a million of them.how fast does it spread????I wish someone knows that answer.Im on this timebomb almost 1 yr. Mon sept 20th is finally the day.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited September 2010

    My oncologist told me 6 weeks (when I was trying to decide on whether or not to have chemo).

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