B/C in your 40's, newly diagnosed

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  • Jennmadd
    Jennmadd Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2017

    Djmammo- my mom felt the lump, went in for mammogram and was told it was nothing to worry about. 6 months later and it has grown huge in size. She went in to get a biopsy on it and have it removed ( still thinking it was benign) and found out it is cancer.

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited February 2017

    djmammo,

    I had just gone to Vegas to celebrate my 40th birthday. I always make my annual physical around my birthday. My doctor said " I know there is a debate, but I really prefer a baseline mammo at 40. Just know the false positive rate is high. If you promise not to freak out if they send you for more pictures, we will do it now." Never had a lump...

    She saved my life. Her2+ grade 3 with comedo necrosis that had just turned to IDC. She saved..my..life...f**k mammos at 50

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  • Barkerhappyk9
    Barkerhappyk9 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017

    at age 46 I was just diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma (luckily very early). Still in shock but thanks to this forum and a lot of support feeling better and fortunate caught it so early. Going for mri next week and onto surgery.. At this point only have to do radiation..

    I am worried about taking tamoxifen since I get migraines and already experiencing hot flashes... hoping these don't get much worse...



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  • kbt
    kbt Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2017

    Cowboy_Up,

    I'm a newbie too. Reading this feed to help me this as well.

    Djmammo, I felt my lump. I was actually getting ready to schedule my yearly screening. It appears to be 5cm or larger, I am certain they would have seen it on mammo or US (I usually get US with Mammo because of level 4 dense breast).

    I am 45 years old with a 13 year old son. Just got my genetics test done today results in 5-10 days. Tuesday was MRI to see actual size of tumor since it has spiculated edges, they found it hard to measure and to check suspicious lymph nodes. I go tomorrow to see if BS (who is acting as my Navigator) recommends chemo or surgery first. No decisions yet, but following my doctor.

    Thanks for a good question. Sending you hugs and prayers. We've got this!

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  • Jct18
    Jct18 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017

    just diagnosed last feb 4. Best advice i got was to get informed which is why i found this community. Surgeon is recommending that i do surgery again because i initially agreed to wide excision biopsy and then frozen section if positive surgeon onco to do mastectomy and axillary dissection but the frozen section biopsy was not conclusive. Surgeon decided to remove the tumor (partial mastectomy or lumpectomy) and do a permanent stain biopsy. After a week my diagnosis was dcis 2mm and grade 1. ER/PR + Her 2 -. There is IDC too seen close (1mm)to the edge of the margin. Surgeon onco wants to do another surgery this february to either get more tissues or mastectomy. He wants to do axillary dissection too. Im hesistant to do surgery again. MO said i can skip surgery and proceed with chemo and radiation. Pls help me make the write decision

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Hi Jct18 and Barkerhappyk9, welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're sure our kind and knowledgeable community members will come soon to help you with your questions but, in the mean time, you may want to read through the pages of our section for those just diagnosed called Breast Cancer 101 -- Breastcancer.org, designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

    Hope this helps! Best wishes,

    The Mods

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited February 2017

    djmammo: mammo @ 47 resulting in stereotactic biopsy that didn't find it, lump found by my nurse practitioner (same one that sent me for the mammo) in same spot as biopsy @ 55 confirmed with US. 


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  • BebeZF
    BebeZF Member Posts: 67
    edited February 2017

    jct18, would you rather do chemo than another surgery? What did you end up having, a lumpectomy? Or partial mastectomy? Your DCIS is so tiny, you may want to really weigh your options. I am here to support you as I am on a similar boat. Wish you the best of luck. Someone gave me a great advice which I am passing on:. Once you make a decision, that's the best decision for you. Stick by it and all will work out. Big hug.


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  • Mamafeather
    Mamafeather Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2017

    I'm 46 and diagnosed in December from my routine mamo. Had DMX wih reconstuction 4 weeks ago and starting radiation soon. I was totally not expecting it but so glad that I started mamos at 40 and cancer was found early.

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  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 530
    edited February 2017

    I was 41 last year and asked for first mammogram because of severe right breast and shoulder/back pain. Found cancer in LEFT breast. Had 20 radiation treatments with last five boosts. Oncotype was 14, so no chemo. Had lumpectomy and reexcision to get clear margin. Had total hysterectomy lass than a month after finishing rads. Tested positive for palb2 mutation. Sixth in 3 generations on moms side to have breast cancer.

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  • michela802
    michela802 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2017

    They caught my lump on the US. Mammo showed everything was ok (had 3 mammos prior). This was in late Nov. 2016.

    I am 41. I have 2 kids - 9 & 5.

    I had a lumpectomy on 12/29/16. I was scheduled for an AND but changed treatment center and they did not go with that. I am nowwith MSKCC and gearing up for chemo. 4x AC and 6x Taxol. After chemo I will likely get radiation and be put on tamoxifen for 10 yrs.

    This experience is so surreal. No one expects this or wants this but now that I am in it I am trying to best manage it. I just want to get it going and done with!

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited February 2017

    I'm 49 -- found lump in Oct/Nov. Very small (almost like a pea in shape/size). I was due for my routine mammo about two weeks later, which sorry to say, did not catch it. US done because I felt a lump. The radiologist's first words to me were: "good catch". I should add that I was doing diagnostic mammos faithfully every year since the age of 39 (I think) due to mother's BC. I've very thin and probably would not have found otherwise or so they think. FYI: My mother and I are both BRCA-.

    I have decided upon BMX due to density of breasts, inability to locate via anything except on MRI -- which I'm not going to fight for every year on remaining breast -- family history and the fact that my 2nd O (MD Anderson) found another spot of interest on a re-review of my initial MRI. That made the unilateral decision EASY. Another biopsy (with surgery date already planned) or UMX? Ha ha. Please -- take it!

    Really, that decision (BMX or UMX has not been easy). But I'm finally trying to find peace. Surgery 2/27! I hope so. Not sure about rad/chemo until final path.

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  • EastcoastTS
    EastcoastTS Member Posts: 864
    edited February 2017

    I should note that I've been told -- in so many doctor words -- that they may not have seen the tumor on US either. Unless I pointed it out. That's why my comment about MRI being only one to truly capture.

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  • AbbyG
    AbbyG Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2017

    42 when diagnosed. Routine mammo found something hinky, and now here I am.

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  • jrow7
    jrow7 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2017

    dx in jan. I'm 40. 5 kiddos (8-19yrs).

    Mammo found DCIS

    Biopsy found IDC

    MRI found tumor

    US found more DCIS

    Partial mx left breast with mammoplasty right breast 3/1/17

    Fingers crossed for clear margins and hoping I won't need chemo but from what I've read, Herceptin is given with chemo for the first few rounds.

    But we don't know untilwe have the final pathology right? So why waste a day on worry and what ifs.

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  • Felloco1
    Felloco1 Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2017

    hi there I was diagnosed late 2016 in my 40s ... I had 2 tumours on the right and DCIS on the left so went for double mastectomy.before Xmas I am almost halfway on chemo and it has been manageable.All I can say is listen to the professionals ask lots of questions and try the best you can to stay positive & keep busy to help with the mind games. Surgery today allows you to recover much more quickly & they are experts at how to give the best treatment for you having had years of practice. I can't say enough good about my support team including my husband so make sure you really use all that available help. My true best wishes to you.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited February 2017

    hello sweetie i was diagnosed at 42 while making plans for my 2nd marriage oh sooo happy when i found lump in shower. i had my cry decided ti fight for my life i received 3 mo chemo before surgery Lmast then 3 mo after befite started rads we got married im doing well and this yr after everything PRAISE GOD im a 23yr SURVIVOR with Faith Hope n Positive thinking. We All are in my prayers. msphil idc stage2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.


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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited February 2017

    hello sweetie i was diagnosed at 42 while making plans for my 2nd marriage oh sooo happy when i found lump in shower. i had my cry decided ti fight for my life i received 3 mo chemo before surgery Lmast then 3 mo after befite started rads we got married im doing well and this yr after everything PRAISE GOD im a 23yr SURVIVOR with Faith Hope n Positive thinking. We All are in my prayers. msphil idc stage2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.


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  • sarahbeth
    sarahbeth Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017

    I got a DCIS diagnosis about five hours ago. I'm 40. Just beginning to process everything. Immensely grateful for the early detection and still tearing up at random intervals. Have to make it through the weekend before I can speak with a breast specialist and surgeon. Just keep breathing, right?

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  • BebeZF
    BebeZF Member Posts: 67
    edited February 2017

    Sarahbeth,

    Yes, keep breathing, all will be good and life will be great again. At least you are so smart and reaching out for some help on these boards. A lot of amazing advice here. If I can offer any advice, please take one step at a time, research your options and know on the long run, you wil be fine. I was you in the beginning of Jan., But I had to wait 2 weeks for MRI apt as I opted not to see my doc until I knew MRI results. Looking back, it was a mistake, lots of unnecessary anxiety and being in my head and not knowing where to go for info.

    You are doing the right thing, best of luck and keep me posted.

    Big hug

    Bebe

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    Sarahbeth-

    Welcome to BCO! We're sorry you find yourself here, but we hope you find this community to be a source of support for you as you begin down this road. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone means so much.

    The Mods

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  • DCISinAZ
    DCISinAZ Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2017

    I was diagnosed at 46 on routine mammogram. Had had a clean mammo 20 months prior. Because I had a fairly large area of DCIS (6+ cm) that would take a big chunk of my breast, and because there wasn't an obvious pattern to it, I opted for a UMX and immediate reconstruction. I didn't need radiation because I had a MX, which is nice. Just recently met with MO and he didn't recommend tamoxifen for me, which I was surprised about. Still trying to process that and am also waiting for my genetic testing

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  • dsteaparty
    dsteaparty Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2017

    Hi all! I am glad to have found this group although I am still not understanding all the acronyms. I was diagnosed this month with invasive lobular carcinoma in one breast. The tumor is 3.7 cm and that puts me at stage 2a for now until they get more information. My cancer is estrogen receptive so I have started a Lupron depot and tamoxifen this past week. They are trying to put me in menopause. Then I will switch to letzole.

    I am tired a lot and having a hard time sleeping. My only weird side effects besides feeling the same way I did when I was pregnant slightly nauseous and or kind of hungry all at the same time and My ears will be ringing sometimes and that is unusual. I am still in the shock phase really and I'm having a hard time telling people and trying to clear out space in my life for cancer recovery.my oncologist wants me to do hormone therapy for six months to shrink the tumor do surgery after that. Has anyone else had this plan?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2017

    dsteaparty, glad you found this group too. You may find this helpful about hormone therapy before (and after) surgery Hormone therapy. Also, here is a forum where you can get help understanding all the acronyms Abbreviations. Sending you hugs. We understand where you are, and it will get better!

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  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited February 2017

    Dx last year at age 43. Strong family history of BC on my maternal side. Regular mammos since age 30. Detected by mammo and US. BMX was recommended by my health professionals due to my high risk factors.

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  • Phayton_T
    Phayton_T Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2017

    hello I am also DCIS 0 surgery Th scary but yes help in #s :) ❤also told I have to take tomaxafin cause I am pos for est pro and blocks it but I want to know if I can use alternative like holistic DR certified and work w the group of cancer DRs I will also have radiation for r side 5-7 weeks daily m-f 10 min I think they daid. Also had brac 1 -2 done but I want the lump out and not wair 3 weeks TY in advance ladies . I already had u tinly hysto and I told was linked to Essure and so I said do get them out . Good thing Drs w work w holistic Dr i want to learn More about what others think and what was recovery pain levels after lump removed ty in advance Bless you all !❤

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2017

    Welcome Phayton_T,

    Sorry you had to be here but we're really glad to see you found our community.

    Hopefully you will find the forums supportive and helpful to you while you go treatment and beyond.

    Let us know if we can help you with anything while you're here.

    Hugs,

    The Moderators.

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  • Sjacobs146
    Sjacobs146 Member Posts: 770
    edited March 2017

    I was diagnosed at 48, found on routine mammo. I had a clean mammo 12 months prior. I almost skipped the mammo because of all the talk that they're not needed until 50 and they aren't needed annually. Since they're free for me, I figured, what the heck. Cancer already in one lymph node, what would have happened it I'd waited another year?

    Doing very well now. No SEs from Tamoxifen and now Arimidex

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited March 2017

    correct keep breathing taking deep breaths i too was diagnosed at 42 making wedding plans for our 2nd marriage when i found my lump in shower But with Hope n Positive thoughts n Yes keep breathing i am this yr a 23yr Survivor Praise God so im here to Inspire others. msphil idc stage 2 Lmast 0\3 nodes chemo and rads and 5yrs on tamoxifen. God Bless. Hugs!!!!!!!!

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  • Bree2
    Bree2 Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2017

    Hello

    I am newly diagnosed with IDCand just had lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy done yesterday. I am still quite sore but it's tolerable. Now I get to wait for my biopsy results until next Tuesday. This whole thing is freakin me out. We have to be strong for us and for our families. I pray you will be fine. It's so nice that we have these forums. We are definitely not alone

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