Canadians in British Columbia

Hello, ladies

Hope you all doing well.

Has anyone used tomosynthesis (3D mammography) for your follow up Mammograms?

moth

My research shows Women’s Hospital in vancouver has one since 2017. My radiation oncologist said BC cancer in Vancouver also has one. The way she explained it is that the radiologist will order it if they consider the breast tissue is dense.

https://www.bcwomensfoundation.org/about/the-hospital/programs/bc-womens-first-in-province-to-offer-3d-breast-screening-with-tomosynthesis

One of things the two radiation oncologists I may have said is to go to the same center for breast imaging so they could have comparison. I am debating about that as my original mammogram was done at a private lab who made some mistake so I don’t want to return. Only option would be the Lion’s gate where I had my biopsy, but they will only have ultrasound image history.

What you ladies think?

Count me in if you are still planning to meet up in Nov

on tomosynthesis, my MO was the one mentioned it when I asked him about imaging on Dense breast tissues. I was inquiring about MRI at the time of discussion, he said MRI produce too many false positives.

Only after hearing from him, I started looking into it.

I wonder it is possible that some doc doesn’t mentioned it because the hospital or center they belong to doesn’t have this machine.

Unfortunately some times the medical practitioners are not always the most informed.

BCCA Vancouver pharmacist is still giving out files that was created in 2008. So many patients walk away fearful of soy and phytoestrogens

Hi GoAway. Welcome to this club - the reason we're all here sucks but the people are lovely so there's that....

The early days are really hard so be gentle with yourself. It gets better. Hang in there. Ask any questions or just vent

Hi ladies,

The whirlwind has begun as I start to balance life before and after diagnosis. So far, so good, but I’m feeling the pressure a bit as some work trips, and my husband doing night courses has just begun. But...we’ve got this!

I just got a call from the Jim Pattinson hospital. Have any of you been there? I’m going in to discuss treatment, and I have already done a lot of thinking and research and have already chosen double mastectomy, prophylactic on the left.

Anyone who’s been there...advice? Comments? I’m going on Tuesday. Just had partial mastectomy last Monday - margins close on one side

Thank you!

Hi BluGene

I have been to Jim Pattison...from initial diagnosis, lumpectomy ....i had Dr Janzen, who is very quick in her appointments and can be matter of fact (I guess she sees it all the time) but she’s very pleasant and very good at what she does..so don’t be put off my her speed.

She did my lumpectomy and checking 3 nodes....there was no problem....got very clear margins on a small lump and I had no positive nodes. But I told her I would be back ...as I always said if I got Breast Cancer I would have them off! She said wait and see.

Then I went to the Cancer Agency to discuss treatment. The oncologist will decide whats next..I didn’t need heavy chemo but had Taxol for a short time and then it, as well as Herceptin. Depends on what kind of breast cancer you have. I’m also on medication for my ER/PR + type.

After the first part of chemo I went back to the Surgeon at Jim Pattison and discussed a Double Mastectomey and went ahead with it. Its a very personal decison. Absolutely no one can make it but YOU.

I’m about 5 months since i had it and am glad I did..but then I’m 69 so my breasts hadserved me well. I did not get reconstruction.

Take it easy..don’t jump too far ahead untill you know whats what. Sorry I’m a little long winded in my reply..

Hi Go Away (great tag name) & BluGene;

Wish you both the best outcomes. You have to come to the right place. I can't overstate how much these ladies saved me through this terrible process. Lots of good support and info. Would've been so much worse without them.

I had a Mx at Mount St Joe's on May 1st and am skd'd for revision surgery on Nov 26th w a new PS.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the responses!

Akmom- yes that is the place! I’ve already done all the diagnostics and partial mastectomy here, so I believe I am going for a consult regarding the double mastectomy as I told my surgeon that is definitely the route I want to go, especially if it avoid surgery radiation. Do you know if this clinic discusses such things, or would it be about surgery only? I’m a bit confused as to who I’m supposed to talk to about what at this time.

How long was it from consult to surgery for you? How has your recovery been? Are you considering any reconstruction? A co-worker went through this about 7 years ago and said she was up and ready to go back to work in a mere couple weeks. I’m curious what your abilities were, or when you felt up to your usual light tasks?

Thank you!!

Eily- Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds pretty positive. Funny how we Just “know” things sometimes. I knew I had cancer from the moment I had my last mammo, and the radiologist pointed out a lump I hadn’t noticed. It felt different, and she said my microcalcs have changed since last year and were clustering. I walked out and I knew. Or at least I knew that I was on the path of a new journey. After I did genetic testing a year ago, and found out I have a cancer gene along with extensively family history, I did some research on the different types of cancer, and it actually made me less scared. I knew that because they started screening me and were doing diagnostic screening at an age of 33, that they could find it early if it happened. Then my husband and I had a few conversations with my genetics counsellor, and we came up with a plan. Little did I know then that the timeline would be forced many years early. Although I’m nervous, I’m also at peace with it. And grateful for early detection!

Blugene - radiation was easy for me. I was given a choice between mastectomy or lumpectomy + rads (which was recommended by the BS) and I chose the latter.

The 5 months of chemo otoh sucked and my white blood cell counts are still recovering as my bone marrow really did not like chemo. I tried to frame it positively as indicating that chemo was really working on me but who knows.... Radiation was easy compared to chemo. I started back in school while still doing radiation and didn't really feel the fatigue that many people experience. It was just annoying having to drive the extra distance and home, rads, school were a huge inconvenient triangle so I was constantly stuck in traffic somewhere for those weeks. I caught up on lots of podcasts and audio books lol. I'm 7 weeks post rads. My skin is fine, just a bit tanned looking. I have a bit of cording in my arm but the stretches and exercises that the physio prescribed have been making a difference and I've been told this will pass very quickly and it's not really impacting my life at all right now other than I have to do the extra stretches.

I'm not just back to normal life, I'm at normal life +++++! I was diagnosed during final exams in Dec 2017 but I was only taking 2 classes then. Now I'm in school full time in a pretty intense bachelor of science nursing program, and we adopted a second dog in the spring. I like to do training & dog sports so my dog hobbies are time intensive, and I'm increasing the amount of time I exercise in addition to all that. Plus I'm trying to sleep >8h every night and meditate and read and do my creative writing. The house is a mess because cleaning never makes it to the to do list

Life is good! The cancer still makes me mad some days - I whine that I don't have time for this!!!! - but I remind myself I don't have time for anger either!

Hi BluGene, both times I did not see a radiation or medical oncologist until after surgery; they don't really know what is in there for sure until they have the post surgery pathology report. My first experience was lumpectomy and 'only' DCIS was found. Radiation was recommended, I believe due to the grade (2). Then the second time, when DCIS was found on both sides, the surgeon said I would have to have MX for the radiated side for sure. I could have had lumpectomy and rads again on the left, but opted for double MX. And they found invasive cancer on the right side after all, which is why I am now on aromatase inhibitors. You can always ask to speak with an oncologist before making your decision. But it sounds like you are pretty much decided on the double mastectomy, in which case you will get a better idea of appropriate follow up treatment once you have the final pathology.

I do suggest you speak to your surgeon ahead of time about the pros and cons for doing a sentinel or axillary lymph node biopsy at the time of your surgery. Dr. Zih was confident that I had DCIS only and did not do even the sentinel node biopsy. And it's too late now, so I have the worry (albeit slight) about whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue. I know the odds are low, but my friend found a lump on her chest wall that turned out to be breast cancer, 16 years after her double mastectomy. So I know the possibility exists.

Re: timing - biopsy was done July 4, consult with Dr. Zih was July 17, surgery was August 14. It probably could have been even sooner; I told Dr. Zih at the outset that I did not want reconstruction, but he suggested that I consult a plastic surgeon regardless, just to know my options. The PS appointment was made for August 30, but after thinking it over for a week I called back and said to cancel the PS, just go ahead and schedule the mastectomy.

Recovery has been straightforward; only used painkillers the day after the surgery and was diligent about the exercises so my range of motion is good. I am not considering reconstruction; so far I am feeling comfortable going flat. (I did purchase prosthetic breast forms and bras last week. Pharmacare will pay for the prosthetics but depending on your income, there could be a pretty high deductible to be met first. Mine was higher than the cost of the forms, but I can apply to my extended health plan for a partial reimbursement. I am already having second thoughts about buying them as I doubt I will wear them much.)

I didn't have to think about going back to work (retired 2 years ago). Not sure how soon I would have been ready. I think it was about three weeks before I felt like driving, but I probably could have started sooner. Luckily my husband is also retired so was on hand for driving duties (also shopping, cooking, cleaning etc., bless his heart). If I was still working, I think I would have taken at least a month off; even though I would have been physically able to do the actual activity sooner (desk job), I would have found it emotionally exhausting. I am a lot older than you (63) and finding it harder to 'bounce back' to my normal self. For example, I had been walking at least an hour a day prior to surgery but am finding it hard to work myself up to that long of a walk - if I can even get myself out the door at all!

Hope this helps answer some of your questions. Keep posting questions as you think of them; I am more than happy to 'pay back' the great support and information I have received from others on this site

Hi again BluGene....and akmom, wrenn....

I meant to add that Dr Rhonda Janzen, who I had, does surgery at both Jim Pattison and Delta Hospital. I had both Lumpectomy and BMX at Delta..small hosptial..nice new Day Surgery are though. I don’t know how they allocate what Dr you see? Do you know what surgeon you have an appointment for?

As an RN myself (daughter a nurse educator and son in law a Dr)...I like to know how many years they've been doing Breast Surgery. Many of the surgeons are General Surgeons and its good to get an idea of how long they’ve been doing Breast Surgery. For my timeline..i had an appointment with Dr Janzen for my biopsy Nov 7 2017, results Nov 16, Lumpectomy Nov 28......then after the chemo part BMX May 29 2018.

I went on every cancellation list I could . and offered to go to either place for my surgery which sped things up a bit.

I hope you’re not getting too much info now ;-)

I am going to try to be there on the 24th

hi! Are we on for the Nov 24th meet up in Bancouver? I’m in . Look forward to seeing r eryine

I will try to change my shift as I am working ar 2:30 that day Would love to see you all again