A New Primary that is Different from the First One

Hi cdaz, sorry you're facing #2.  I asked for bilat with my #1 and was refused sixteen years ago this month; when #2 came along 11 years ago I again requested bilat and was refused.  #3 appeared three years ago and I wasn't taking no for an answer again.  Found my own team and am almost 3 years out from bilat mx with DIEP recon.  They didn't get clear margins and no one seems to be paying attention to the surgical oncologist's caution to 'watch closely'.  I'm travelling for business right now and plan to pay for my own MRI when I'm home again.  My #3 was on the chest wall and surgery isn't an option any more so it's a little worrying.

If you can have a bilat with recon I'd say go for it. IMHO a second primary is a good indication your body likes to 'grow' BC.  For me three primaries made it obvious I'm a BC petrie dish lol.

I pretty much ignore stats, I'll either 100% recur/new primary or 100% not.  My #1 was Stage 2 Grade 2 NNN, #2 & #3 were DCIS Stage 1 Grade 1 ER+/PR+/HER-.  All different primaries.

In some ways it's easier to deal with a second and third DX, you already know the 'process'.  Emotionally there are ups and downs, I try not to give BC more than it takes without my permission.

All the best, She

Originally diagnosed 8 years ago (IDC, Stage 2A, 1 node, ER-/PR- and Her2+). Did lumpectomy, chemo, rads and Herceptin. This time around, high grade DCIS in same breast. Had UMX (because couldn't do rads again in same breast), no reconstruction. ER-/PR- again. They didn't test for HER2. Have to say the UMX easier to handle (from a pain and recovery point of view) that I would have imagined. BMX wasn't even suggested, and I didn't think of it at the time, but am wondering sometimes now if doing the twofer wouldn't have been easier in the long run. Not an absolute guarantee, as we all know, but might have evened the odds a bit. Onc advised no need for Tamoxifen. Having to do this little dance twice is unsettling because it is a reminder that our bodies seem to want to grow stuff. I know this isn't a logical or medically accurate thought, but I do wonder how anything new could grow in that boob, given the bashing it took first time around. I will see surgeon again at the 6 month point, and then hope we go back to once a year. Seeing onc once a year now, and she was pretty dismissive of the DCIS (not significant, no big deal and basically not even cancer....). Surgeon and onc did indicate this is a new cancer not considered a recurrence, altho imho it seemed like the beginning stages of the same type as last time. I have given remaining boob (and other body parts) stern talking to - I don't want to see any misbehaviour in the future. Hope all bits are listening!  Good luck as you make your choice about treatment.