fear of breast cancer

Hugs Elissa,

Is there anyone in your new home that can help counsel you?  I come from a cancer family so I do understand the worry but I also know that you have to work hard on only worrying about things of which you have control.  Yes, it's easy to say and harder to do b ut it is worth working on.  I hope all the best for you.

regards,

flash 

You are not alone in your feelings. I'm also living in fear and having breast issues at the same time. It's a horrible situation and I wish I knew how to be reassuring. The only thing you can do is pay close attention to yourself. Most people should do that anyway as breast cancer can strike anyone. Family history always gives an extra push to keep an eye on things. It may lessen your fears slightly to know that 70-80% of women with breast cancer have no family history. It doesn't necessarily make anyone feel better because nobody should get breast cancer but it might help you function knowing that we're not necessarily destined to get it. Not everyone anyway. I'm extra worried only because I'm currently suffering with several breast problems. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was very young and I didn't worry about breast cancer until I had something to worry about. I miss not worrying but looking back I wish I had been seeing a doctor regularly. As a favor to yourself and your children, I'd set up with a breast specialist now and just keep a watchful eye on things. You might even consider genetic testing but try to take comfort in the fact that nothing seems to be wrong at this time.

I'm so sorry about your sister. I'm assuming she's young but maybe not. Either way, it's horrible. I hope she at least has a treatment plan that will extend her life. Best wishes!

I had this same fear about 5 years ago, when a spot was found on a mammo. (That spot was nothing...the one that was found in Nov WAS something...but that a different story.) I was adopted so don't have much history other than my maternal grandmother died at 52 of breast cancer. I was a total mess...to the point of having panic attacks on the train home from work. The slightest thing would set me off. I would look at my 2 boys (5 and 8 then) and cry all the time. I finally told my husband that something was seriously wrong with me.

My doctor is treating me for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). She referred me to a great therapist. Do you have a doctor that could refer you to someone to talk to? If not, maybe contact the local cancer society or see if a local hospital has a social worker for you to talk to. My doctor also put me on Lexapro. It's been a huge help, too.

All of that therapy has helped because when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was actually able to accept it and I knew, KNEW, that I would be fine.

From what you are describing, your sufferering from something much more than any pep talk can help (NOT that pep talks don't help because they definitely do for the short term).

I hope you can find the help you need. This board is also a great place, too.

My Mom had it twice - first time at age 25, second at 65 - also, my grandmother had it and had a mastectomy (back then it was what they did). 

I did not go for my first mammogram until I was 50.  It was clean.  I skipped a year and just went in September and they found some calcifications.  DCIS Stage 0 - but couldn't get it all with surgery - now I need a mastectomy.  Keeping positive - getting reconstruction within the next few weeks.  I am BRCA negative and did not choose a double mastectomy.  And I chose not to take Tamoxifan because the side effects are simply not worth the gain.

It is all scary and the odds of getting it are 1 in 9 I believe.  For me, even while waiting for the diagnosis, I started thinking of worst-case scenario and what decisions I would make, reading up on all the options, so that when I was diagnosed, it wasn't so scary because I then had an 'action plan'.  It's good that you are on here and reading about what people go through.  

Stay positive and good luck. Kim