recurrence in onther breast

Hi cazza40,

I know it's hard but try not to stress so. They are on to it now and lets hope it's DCIS. By the way, this will be classed as a new primary and not a recurrence. So, if it's DCIS and stage 0 then you will be fine. I had IDC triple negative in my right breast and then cancer showed up in the opposite breast less than two years after - but this time it was DCIS so no chance of spread etc. I had a bilateral mastectomy a year ago and I am doing O.K. I know that it knocks your confidence when you are diagnosed a second time but this is an early stage so you will be fine!

Hi Viktoria -me too. I am not overweight, go to the gym and do not drink or smoke. BUT I do have a family history and I a have a BRCA1 mutation of 'unknown signifinace'. I am taking part if the BRCA research in the UK and will have my ovaries removed soon. I just want another year of no surgery! So, I guess my genes are the culprit and nothing much I can do about that! You just have to accept that hand you are dealt I guess. X

Was dx 1 year ago with DCIS, with micro calcifications and something invasion - not remembering what that was - hard to 'hear' the dr when after almost 18 years (and the first mammo that I felt completely - "oh it's going to be fine" feeling with the annual mammo! FIRST Time I was so at ease and then boom!!!! I think he said focal of invasive - which to me meant bmx! The DCIS was in the other breast as well, and being the first was IDC, with a lumpectomy.



I did the chemo and rads, and knew they had no 'lump' as in the first go round, so the lumpectomy if I chose it again would basically be a sort of mastectomy anyway!



In the midst of natural reconstruction right now. I think I did the right thing with the bmx - though as I didn't want to go through this again if I can help it.



Only one aunt has had anything to do with breast cancer, and she was well into her 60's or 70's at the time. I didn't know this until after my 2nd dx. I nursed my babies for a long time, didn't smoke or drink, and not much familial (my mom had 6 sisters, so only one had it late onset). Not BRAC positive - had the test when they did the stereotactic core biopsy.



I think they re catching this stuff fast now, and good for them! My 1st was aggressive, fast growing and thank God not in my lymph nodes.



I'm glad you aren't dying either Vicktoria!!!!

My mother had a similar situation. Original DX in 2001, Stage IIIA, they did a mastectomy, chemo, and rads. 8 years later she had a recurrence in the other breast but this time it was micro-calcifications like you mentioned. Did another mastectomy followed with chemo. That was 2010. Last year in June 2012, she had severe back pain and it was found that the cancer yet again came back, this time metasticizing to the bones and liver. She just passed away last week after a long 12 year battle but she fought hard. I was always so mad at how many times her cancer was coming back. Just when she was feeling better and her hair was normal length again, wham, another recurrence. Anyway, if you have any questions about her treatments or more specific details, please let me know. We're all here for you!

hjpz: take them both out...can't trust your breats no more. they are cancer producing glands that at this time can only kill you. I did it the first time with recon.Not easy but it seems you have no choice

My double mastectomy was two years ago today. I am doing well with no signs of recurrence. Without a doubt, the decisions about surgery were the most difficult for me to make. I had a lumpectomy with bad margins so had to decide what came next and I found the choices overwhelming. What helped me the most was a fact sheet from the National Cancer Institute on prophylactic mastectomy. Here's the link: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/preventive-mastectomy. When my husband and I went over the list of reasons a woman might choose a double mastectomy, we circled my risks as we went and I had three out of the six listed. Looking at the circles on the paper made the choice clear to me. I am BRCA negative but did not know that at the time as I have five cousins on my mother's side of the family that have breast cancer and my mom was diagnosed a few years before I learned of my cancer. If that had turned out differently, that would have made four out of the six reasons for me. After the BMX, they discovered "atypical flat dysplasia" in the other breast. Both the BS and MO indicated they felt it would have developed into cancer down the road. I was good with my decision even if that had not been what they found. We also saw an American Cancer Society Navigator to go over the information we'd used to make the decision to be sure that we had "left no stone unturned". 

Good luck to you as you make this decision, it isn't easy. The other thing we did that helped was I'd think about it for awhile or research information each day and then I'd just quit my consideration and go to the park or watch some funny television. Those breaks somehow cleared my mind enough I could come back to it the next day. I didn't sleep well though. 

Thanks.  I have been researching tons of things (again) and will say it is much easier to research info 12 years later! I really don't like the idea of the implants being placed under my muscle so plan to possibly have a flap procedure - I go to the plastic surgeon tomorrow so will know more then.   The recurrance thing really scares me.  Obviously the odds are not in my favor since I have gotten this twice.  The first time was a no brainer since I am BRAC2 positive (I didn't know this at the time) and had an 84% chance  but my chance of a second cancer was only 12% - no idea what a 3rd would be but I can't do this again.  It is horrible. 

I really appreciate you all taking the time to let me know your thoughts  

Momof2doxies: I hear you. Wait for the biopsy though. You never can tell with anything else. If it is cancer, it may have been there all along and very small and the anti-hormonal may have kept it that way. It is a blow to get the second diagnosis. I just kind of froze at first then I had to just get on with it. Maybe because I was already on antidepressants, it helped, but I didn't feel as defeated as the first time. I am hoping you have a surprise benign finding and if not, well, it still has been caught early. So keep positive and keep doing the other things. without which, it may have been worse. Best wishes girl!!!!!!! HAng in!!!!!