Hi. I'm sorry for your bad news and that you are here with us today. With such a recent diagnosis, you probably have not met with either a surgeon or oncologist yet, or have you? There are a lot of different surgical options, and I hope you'll talk with the surgeon (BS means breast surgeon) about them. If you are able to have a lumpectomy, the surgery and recovery are relatively easy compared to mastectomy with any reconstruction. But there are advantages and disadvantages to the different kinds, some of which are your personal preferences. So you'll want to find out more.

Also, until you know more, you won't know whether chemo is involved or not. Radiation may depend on which surgery you have. Getting a plan developed is, for many people, the hardest and most anxious time. But it's good to step through it and not wave it away because of fear.

There are NO natural or alternate ways to rid your body of cancer. Your doctors will discuss with you and recommend what they believe gives you the best shot at getting to a post-cancer life. You will also need to do your part, in terms of taking care of your body with good nutrition and exercise to the extent you can. But wishing it away will not make it go away.

We are here for you as a resource as you learn more and have questions, or need reassurance. I wish you all the best.

Creatinine test for breast cancer? Unusual, I think.

MRI. Yes, that's often done prior to surgery, to determine if anything more is lurking that wasn't seen on other imaging. It helps provide the surgeon with the most complete picture possible before he operates.

ER, PR and Her2Neu are standard on breast cancer pathology reports, and are absolutely required to determine the treatment plan. Usually those are available from the biopsy report. Ki-67 is not always done, it depends on the testing facility and the preferences of the surgeon or MO. Usually it does not impact treatment decisions. Depending on the ER, PR and HER2, other tests such as an Oncotype test or Mammaprint test might be done but tgis usually takes place after the analysis of the surgical pathology.

If you are interested in Alternative or Complementary treatments, you won't find much discussion in this forum but there are forums on this site that have been designated for discussion of those topics. Here are links to those forums.

Forum: Alternative Medicine

"This forum is a safe, judgement-free place to discuss Alternative medicine. Alternative medicine refers to treatments that are used INSTEAD of standard, evidence-based treatment. Breastcancer.org does NOT recommend or endorse alternative medicine. "

Forum: Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

"Complementary medicine refers to treatments that are used WITH standard treatment. Holistic medicine is a term used to describe therapies that attempt to treat the patient as a whole person."

RE: the creatine, I believe it's associated with kidney function. I have my scans next week with nuc med and at CT scan. I will see my MO two days later and have my blood work scheduled for the day in between my scans and my MO appointment. Sorry if I'm rambling. I asked the MO's nurse if the nuc med injection or the contrast could affect my blood counts, and she said that it could affect the creatine. I think that's why they want to check. Creatine is part of the CMP (Complete Metabolic Panel) test. It's usually standard along with a CBC (Complete Blood Count).

Keep us updated. You'll find good information and support here.

scan with contrast is what comes to my mind for a creatinine.

But it should be part of full panel, incl cbc and liver fnxn.

OP, it's just a blood test.

The other tests are done on the biopsy sample to determine what type of breast cancer it is. Treatment really varies based on those markers.

Op, hope you meet with an oncologist and get their proposed treatment plan. You can also get a second opinion from another oncologist as sometimes they'll have slightly different approaches. Your age and overall health are also important factors.

It sucks and it's scary but it gets better

AliceBastable, they won't do a scheduled CT with contrast on anyone at my facility without a current EGFR, which is derived from creatinine level

Sorry to see you here but its a good place to meet up with others going through what you are or who have walked this nightmare scary as hell road before.

I was diagnosed with a recurrence on Christmas Eve 2015...while at the grocery store! Doc was like, is this a good time...I was like. Uh, no, but done this before so its never a good time. Lets get on with it!!!

Nothing natural about my course...and after first diagnosis ( refused biopsy of nodes like a dummy so skipped radiation), 3 yrs later it was back! This time more surgery, hysterectomy, Arimidex, radiation, chemo, capsular contracture, replacement surgery, nipple surgery. Where did that get me? 5 yrs in 2 weeks baby! 5 more cancer free Christmas eves, 5 more birthdays, dizens more vacations and roadtrips.

You got this. At times you will want itvto just go away, but thats why we are here. Switch to organic, drink water, exercise, it all helps...but do the treatment. It works. Careful with any attivan or ambien they give. Those work too but watch ...a bear to wean down or off of. I probably never will. Cancer kinda blows your mind.