Sunday, August 2, 2009

BREAST CANCEr???

571>my friends mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. she did 2 surgeries and took it out, but the result comes tuesday whether the cancer spread or not and whether she needs chemo! will my friend's life be different??
Reply:It depends on many things. It does cause a strain on the family but everybody has to lean on each other. If her mother does have cancer, she needs to keep in mind that people beat cancer all the time and her mother can too. Chemo sounds terrible but they can treat a lot of the problems associated with it nowadays, such as nausea. Another thing is that if her mother does receive chemo, her hair will fall out, she won't look like she feels well, and she'll probably feel run down. The important thing to remember is it's the medicine that is doing that, not the cancer. She'll return to normal after treatment.





Talk to your friend and try to help her keep some sort of normalcy in life. Don't ask her about her mother's health all the time because spending time with her friends may be the only relief from the scary situation she is going thru at home.
Reply:Completely different.


The chemotherapy is very hard on a person.


Also her staging may really change her life.


As in she may need her ovaries, and uterus taken out as well so that she doesn't get more cancer that is dependent on estrogen.


Her mom may lose her hair, get really sick, everything.


Be supportive.


Make them dinners, etc..


You friend's mom is in for the long haul, weakness, and hell....
Reply:Most definitely !! I was myself at a young age diagnosed with a stage 3B, BC in 1998.


My kids both in college,husband was never home, my kids both were engaged to marry at the same time also. After the lumpectomy, and 1st set of chemo treatments my kids could not handle my illness/side effects of chemo.


My daughter moved out, broke off her engagement, my son stayed but went into a " drug frenzy " and is no longer engaged.


But what I learned from this, BC has the highest divorce rate, and both kids were effected by there verbal, then violent abuse from there Dad on me vs chemo, and the on-going side affects.


Now....8 yrs later Cancer free, but still numerous medical illnesses from it. My husband I am with, but pray for his "illness", as a abuser.





I am proud to say that from this, my daughter graduated from college and works in the State Attorneys ofc. as a advocate for the victims of abuse.My son also finished and is leaving for DC in a high profile career, both are God's blessing to me.


It's hard for kids to put on a smile, and reverse roles, don't shut your friend out, listen, listen, listen. God bless your friend's Mother.
Reply:Her life will be very different. People react very shockingly as far as I'm concerned. Those you think you can count on well you cant. Those you don't come through. It wrecks some relationships, others it brings closer together. It's a terrible disease with long term effects, physically and emotionally. The best thing you can do is to be there, just be there and do what you can to help the person and get them out and enjoying life and participating in it. To be shut off in doom and gloom doesn't do anybody good. It's a pity there aren't more services and volunteers to help people out especially on the onset of cancer. It's such a terrifying time and all the unknowns can literally cripple you with fear and anxiety. Being supportive is what a person needs. So be a friend and you don't have to say anything if you don't know what to say. Just be there.
Reply:Yes. If she is young, and dependent on her mom, she will have to help out a bit more. If she is an adult, and nearby, she may have to help out a lot more.





Either way, your friend will be frightened. But there are no tests to tell if there is a cancerous cell here or there in the body. They will look at what they removed, and base future treatment upon the type of cancer, the stage, the condition of individual cells (there's a word, but I've forgotten it) her history, and many other things.





Meanwhile, some things you can tell your friend are that the docs are doing everything they can to get her mother well. Many, many (I believe it is most) women live full, long lives after breast cancer. And even if she needs chemo and/or radiation, I've had both, and they weren't nearly as bad as people warned me! Not anywhere near as bad as I expected. And further treatment does NOT mean she is more likely to die, but that her particular cancer responds well to those treatments, which is actually a GOOD thing!





But there will be a lot of running around to do, appointments to keep, test results to learn about and, if she has chemo, possibly a few hospitalizations for infections. These things are hard on a family. The hospital almost certainly has, or can recommend, groups for kids (or adults) who have loved ones with cancer. They can help a lot.





You are welcome to contact me if I can help, and so is she.





As far as those who tell you horror stories (in for hell), that's a matter of attitude. I've known women who actually didn't survive who were beautiful, strong and happy, right up to the end. Yes they were sick, and yes, there was pain, but there were pain meds and they made their peace with life and their loved ones, and I guarantee you, it was not hell. And it's WAY too soon to be worrying about that for your friend or her mom, anyway. She'll probably get well.
Reply:Breast cancer, any kind of disease for that matter, is a life changing experience for everyone associated with the patient.


I had breast cancer 12 years ago. My daughter was eight at the time. We explained to her what was happening and for a eight year old she did pretty good. Sure, she was scared I was going to die and felt horrible when I was puking my guts out after chemo, but we tried to maintain a normal routine. Her life didn't seem to get affected that much, she went to school, played, was a pain in the @ss sometimes. Things might have been different if she was older at the time. All this to say that,your friend might want to spend more time with her mom, depending how her mom feels, she will have to help her with stuff around the house, shopping, take care of the younger one, if there is any. You will have to be patient, understanding , you are going to have to support her, give her strenght, no matter what. She will need you, just as her mom will need her. Make her laugh, if not offer a good shoulder to cry. Life goes on and things have a tendency to right themselves after a while. Just be there for her, OK.
Reply:Yes, it will be different for a long time. Cancer really does change a person's life and the life of their families and those closest to them. Cancer is not the death sentence that it has been in the past. With a good amount of preparation, you and your friend can be prepared for whatever the news is when the results come back. Even if the cancer hasn't spread, I will be surprised if the doctor doesn't recommend chemo to be on the safe side. I pray that hers hasn't spread. There are side effects to chemo, and they vary with the type that is given. My husband's mom went through chemo for breast cancer over 5 years ago and she dealt with a lot of fatigue and hair loss. Those will probably happen to your friends mom if she has to endure chemo. Nausea is another possibility also. If you have any questions you can email me at cheesecake_lady03@yahoo.com
Reply:Hey with friends like you, this too shall pass away


Breast cancer???

570>i just realized a few days ago that i have i small lump on my nipple(kinda right under it) . its blue in color and the size of a pencil eraser and im afraid it might be breast cancer. i can move it around a little but it stays in the same place. it doesnt hurt either but makes my breast a little itchy. it might just be a blood vessel but im not sure......oh, im 16 years old.
Reply:First of all, considering your age and the host of other things it could be, it's very probably not cancer.


Do have a doctor check it.
Reply:Google breast cancer and go to their site. You can get a lot of info. and ask questions on there.
Reply:You should definitely check it out. Cancer can occur at any age and is belived to be caused by pollutions in the environment that interfears with cell growth which causes tumors. It may not be cancer like you said it may be just a blood vessle but its better to be safe and get it checked out.
Reply:Go to your family doctor. =]








I hope it's not cancer!
Reply:I would definitely have it checked out. I have 2 friends that were in their early 20's when they were diagnosed. Better safe than sorry. Also, as a previous writer stated about toxins in the environment. They are everywhere: shampoos; soaps; cleaners; detergents. It is really sad that we are exposed to some many chemicals and are not even aware of it.


Lisa


www.lzaikis.whywellness.com
Reply:Get it checked right away. I found a lump in that location also but it turned out to be a fibroadrenoma (a benign tumor). They are very common in young women. Look it up on the net. I couldn't see it though so I was a little different from you. Best of luck though!!!
Reply:Millions of women are affected with breast cancer all around the world. Breast cancer is growing like an epidemic and is predicted that 45,000 patients will die from breast cancer, this year. If you feel a solid lump in your breast, you must visit a specialist for consultation.





I read it all here at http://www.tehreer.com/category/breast-c...


Breast cancer?

569>I feel lumps in my breasts and they hurt. Is this a sign of breast cancer?
Reply:Normally, cancer doesn't hurt. But get it checked if you're worried.
Reply:breast lumps should always be atken seriuosly. consult your doctor at once. the prevalence of breast CA is soaring
Reply:Often tender breast lumps are fibrocystic changes and perfectly normal. Usually patients with breast cancer complain of one painless lump, but not always. Fibrocystic breasts can make a self breast exam very difficult. See your doctor and have regular mammograms. By the way, caffeine tends to make fibrocystic breasts worse.


Breast Cancer????

568>My left breast has been kind of sore, but a throbbing sore lately. And when I felt around for a lump, I think I felt something, but maybe it鈥檚 just fat or the mammary gland or something. Now instead of just greenish looking veins, I have these purple and red streaks running from the areola to the bottom of my breasts like lighting. It鈥檚 really odd, could these be signs of cancer?
Reply:sweetheart, you go get checked immediately. sorry to say but yes this is one of the signs of cancer. don't put it off seeing a doctor. this sounds as if the almost same thing i went through but i was on the side of my right breast. i had noticed that my breast had started getting fuller and it itched at times and i shooting pains sometimes. then the discoloration started and my nipple started to invert. i never felt a lump, it was located in my underarm against my rib cage. i hope that I'm wrong, please don't get upset, just go get it checked. don't worry until they give you something to worry about. it could be milk glands inflamed. i will say a prayer for you. God Bless!~
Reply:not sure about cancer - but I'd make an appointment with my Gyno or at least check Webmd.com
Reply:I really don't know if its a sign, but i do know that if it freaks you out enough, go to a doctor or ask someone about it that can actually check you out.
Reply:Just get it checked out ASAP but my mam had breast cancer before, everyones breasts are different, some are lumpier than others, hopefully it's just that you have lumpy breast but you should go to the doctor as soon as you can. i'm not too sure if Cancer would affect the colour of your veins, generally it affect lymphnodes and the likes. Best of luck!
Reply:It is possible but not to fret..get a mammogram to ease your mind. Early detection is best.
Reply:How old are you?


when I was a teen I was developing and I thought I had


breast cancer Partially because my Aunt had it.I had


lumps and soreness from my Glands developing.


Added-The veins are from pressure I have them too.see


a doctor I'm sure your ok though your just growing and Developing into a woman.
Reply:GIRL,


do not waste any time wondering. get into see your doctor now. better to be safe than sorry, dont even waste time reading these answers, go to your doctor asap.
Reply:Finding the right information on breast cancer can prove very helpful in understanding breast cancer. Take a look at Your Total Health - it has the most up-to-date, medically reviewed information around!





http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/brea...

affiliate reviews

Breast cancer!?

567>Does breast cancer always mean losing the breast(s) that is affected? If it does........I'm scared!
Reply:You may not lose the breast itself, but you may lose some of the tissue inside the breast itself when you receive chemo or radiation.
Reply:Well, sometimes. Losing one breast is called a mastectomy, losing both is a double mastectomy. Another thing breast cancer does, sometimes is Kemo, which makes you lose your hair. I hope you don't get any of there symptoms, or is this just a curious question?
Reply:breast cancer does not always mean losing a breast. It mostly depends on how far along the disease is.
Reply:cure it fast and it wont happen!!!!!! best of luck
Reply:Not always. It depends on the size of the tumor(s) and how advanced it is, and possibly your age. I had both of mine removed, one as preventative. I was 29 when I was diagnosed.
Reply:Hi, no it doesnt' always mean losing the breast, more often now than ever they just take the tumor lump away with a lumpectomy. In the past they were more radical with surgery but taking more than needed is not always a good thing, people began getting lymphedema, which I'm a cancer survivor with it. They began to look for more conservative treatments and surgeries that work just as good, there are so many newer options now than ever.





Having a lump doens't always mean cancer either. You could have a cyst, benign (non-cancerous) lump, fibrocystic breast disease, a clogged duct, infection, etc there's alot of reasons for a lumpy feeling. It's best to get it checked asap though in case it was cancer.





They will prob do a mammogram, they can tell many times if it's a cyst from that or if it's ok, sometimes they do a breast ultrasound to measure the size too, and sometimes a biopsy to be absolutely sure.





Try not to worry, and if you drink caffeine, stop drinking it as it can cause cysts and lumpy breasts.
Reply:Not always. Certainly not for a lot of women. A lumpectomy may be all that is needed, with further radiation %26amp;/or chemotherapy.


It can be a very tough time but the odds are on your side.


Breast Cancer?

566>I was curious if breast cancer is a thing that can be passed down and who from.


My great-grandma on my mom's side was diagnosed with it a few years ago.


My mom also had a scare just after I was born so they took out the section of skin that was suspicious and she never actually got her results.


I'm going in for a doctor's appt (a "girly" appt) and I'm not sure if I should ask or not.


My stepmom will most likely be coming with me and if I ask in front of her, she'll get offended, yada yada yada...(she's a nurse)


I haven't really noticed anything odd about my breasts, but I'm not a professional.


Should I be concerned?
Reply:It never hurts to ask about a health concern. Your mom's situation sounds more like a skin cancer, if indeed it was a cancer at all (breast cancer is deeper into the tissue). There are genes that can be passed down that make you more likely to have breast cancer, but that doesn't mean that you have it or ever WILL have it.





It sounds like you are a little intimidated to talk in front of your stepmother; I would make sure to call the doctor's office and request that he/she find a way to talk with you PRIVATELY while you are in the office. I can't see why your step-mom's being a nurse would mean that she would be offended; she's certainly not qualified or capable of telling you whether you might have breast cancer, or even an increase risk for it.





You sound very young, so the chances of your having breast cancer at this age are extremely slim; however, that doesn't mean that you can never have it, and it's always good to be vigilant. Ask your doctor about mammograms, when you should start getting them, and how frequently you should get them. Your health is important; don't let your stepmother's feelings and/or behavior get in the way of it!
Reply:Yes to all of the above, sorry to inform you.
Reply:I don't have an answer but I had the same question and I just want to say thanks for puting that question out there.. I am only 15 and my mom was diagnosed with breast and brain cancer and she past 4 years ago after having it for about 6 years of my life... maybe more. Thanks again..


-Sadye


Breast cancer?

565>I was told by my doctor that I should get a mamagram (I'm 37, no history in the family) because she found a small (1 cm) lump in my left breast. Thoughts on what the chances are it can be breast cancer?
Reply:hi i work for a breast cancer doctor


don't worry it could be a cyst or a fatty benign tumor


don't be afraid of mammograms our technology has advanced


to digital mammograms and do or request a sonogram


and find a doctor that specializes in breast only and a facility that have radiologist that have experience with viewing mammograms


good luck keep me posted
Reply:got the results today and I'm fine. Thanks everyone for the support. Report It

Reply:50/50. According to Murphy's laws, the chances for something to happen is always 50/50. Either it happens, or it doesn't.
Reply:I cannot give you the odds of it being cancer or not but I can tell you what i did.





I found a lump in my left breast. After seeing a specialist I had a mammogram and an ultra sound and then had it removed. It was a tumor but turned out to be benign. And by the way I was 22 when all of this happened. I still have to have mammograms every year now.





I would say do what your doctor says. They are the ones that went to medical school.
Reply:who knows?





don't get a mamagram though. they have other ways of finding out. a mamagram squishes everything so much that it disturbs the little 'baby' cancer cells if they are there. this makes them much more volitile and much more dangerous, which lowers the risk of survival.





good luck!
Reply:could be a fibroid or cyst or cancer.


any odds when all you have to do is get an annoying exam make it worth getting the exam.!


and women who find it fast get a small surgery and are done. wait and there's horrible chemo or radiation and misery. wait longer and there's death.
Reply:Odds are more likely that it is not. A mammogram is still a good idea. It will help with diagnosing and give you a good baseline to compare to those done in the future.
Reply:I had my first breast tumor removed when I was 19 years of age. It was so frightening to me, but, I went through this. It turned out to be benign, but it might not have been. Don't let anyone tell you don't worry, because, we are responsible for our own health. There is no doctor that will go out of his way to ensure that you seek medical assistance with this problem. Go to someone you can trust, and make sure you get 3 opinions. This is your life, protect it with all you have. Don't listen to people that tell you that you are too young, because, the world has changed and anything is possible today.
Reply:HI, First off I would like to say that I am sorry you have a lump. Studies show that family history of breast cancer makes up for a small precent of breast cancer. Until you have the mamagram that is no way of telling if it's cancer or not, and even then they might need more tests. I am 27 and I mets. breast cancer. It can happen at any age. I have done a lot of research on breast cancer because of having it obviously....visit the website www.plwc.org and click on breast cancer. There is a lot of information about breast tumors, cancerous and noncancerous on there. I hope this helps and best of luck to you on your mamagram. If need to talk feel free to email me. You'll be in my thoughts. :)