Early stage breast cancer??

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Jennmadd
Jennmadd Member Posts: 36
edited April 2017 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Hello I have two loved ones recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been doing lots of reading trying to educate myself. I see the term early breast cancer a lot. Is treatment for early breast cancer that different than breast cancer that is "not early" what does this really mean?

My mom has her bilateral mastectomy tuesday. We don't even have all her info yet or MRI results back. All that we know is that her tumor is grade 3 and a t4 ( because it is pushing out against the skin) If my research is correct this would automatically put her at stage lllb. Why is this not considered early breast cancer? Will treatment be that much different? I see a lot of stuff on the net about treatment for early breast cancer. Also everyone always asks " did they catch it early" Im so frustrated with that term. She has a mammogram 6 months ago and they were not concerned about the lump then. Any insight in this would be appreciated. Thank you

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2017

    jennmadd - you really need to pick one thread and do all you posting there. It's very hard to answer questions when we haven't seen the 'back story'. You also need to go ahead and post what you know about the diagnosis & treatment in the My Profile. It sounds like you're more involved with your Mother,k so post her info instead of your Grandmother. I know I've read some of your posts on different threads but I can't remember the details.

    So I think I said to you in another thread - take a deep breath and try to calm down. The waiting is hard. Nothing is definite. Everyone is different. Every BC is different for every individual. She will not be automatically anything until after all the tests are completed after biopsies from the surgery. You can't control this girl. You can research, but you need to ask your questions to the doctor who has the ultimate answers.

    This weekend will be hard with surgery Tuesday. Try to find something else to focus on. Walk. or go to the movies or binge on TV. Try not to get frustrated & upset. Just be there when your Mom says she needs you & try to be calm in front of her.

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  • Jennmadd
    Jennmadd Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2017

    I have been trying to post in the thread that seems relevant to what I am asking. And because we are waiting for MRI results for more info I thought this one was most relevant. I'm not sure I'm grasping the post in one thread concept.

    I guess all my questions are better suited for her doctors. Just trying to grasp what's going on.

    I found very helpful information from reading posts on here and from all the responses I got. You ladies are courageous even in the face of fear. I don't think that my worries are helpful to anyone here and being that I myself am not going through this horrble disease I think I should find another site to vent. I appreciate the support your site has given me to be able to be strong for my mom and grandma. I will tell them about it and perhaps they can join for encouragement and support.

    Best wishes,

    Jennifer

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  • cliff
    cliff Member Posts: 290
    edited February 2017

    yes, early detection IS important. much less work to be done, much less risk. I wish I had found mine before stage 4, it might not have spread to my spine.

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  • Lisey
    Lisey Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2017

    Jenn, don't worry about it.. post in whatever threads you feel are pertinent... I posted in numerous threads about numerous topics when I was doing all my research. It kept different things separated and was very helpful.

    The main thing you haven't mentioned in this thread is whether her nodes came back positive. With a 3B, diagnosis, that would be positive lymph nodes. Is that what is happening? do you know the hormone status of the tumor? That too will help direct treatment.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited February 2017

    Jenn,

    As long as your Mom isn't Stage IV, she will probably have a treatment plan that isn't that different from other early stage BC patients. Again, you shouldn't fixate too much on your Mom's stage. In fact, her stage may only be established after surgery, when the doctors can see the true size of her lump and discover how many nodes (if any) are really compromised. (Scans are imperfect.) If your Mom isn't Stage IV, I would say, yes, it's been caught early. ((Hugs))

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  • karen4311
    karen4311 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2017

    I have been diagnosed with early breast cancer and am writing a blog about my experiences. I have found it hard to talk face to face to people, but as a writer and blogger have found this the most therapeutic way of off-loading. If you are interested the url is on my homepage link. Just be aware it's personal and my own experiences. They won't be the same as yours. It will also log good and bad days, humour and the darker days. Most of all it will be honest!


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