← Return to After breast cancer: 12 years out, questions about recurrence

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@callalloo

Hi Moniguen, I assume that you're referring to the study that I mentioned questioning whether second and later breast cancer are in fact recurrences (of the same origin) or unrelated events. I'll try to find the study and, if I do, post the name and author(s). I read it during a whirlwind of trying to learn whatever I could upon being surprised to be diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a surprise as the only incidence in my family of ant cancer was father's prostate. [Interestingly, my oncologist thinks that prostate cancer being in my nuclear family, while not breast cancer of a female, might be of interest as both are hormone-sensitive. That's just his musing after treating cancer breast cancer patients for nearly 30 years.]
As to the study, the oncologist who headed seems to be rethinking how and if breast cancer can metastasize in a distant part of the body years after its first appearance. Cancer is a quixotic enemy. One woman I read about on a Mayo Connect thread had cancers in both breasts, with one being estrogen positive and the other estrogen negative. I don't recall if they were concurrent though.
For what it's worth, I found learning as much as I could, as soon as I got the diagnosis, enabled me to get better use of the doctors' appointment times. They didn't have to go over the very basics and terminology and such. That was a big help and we got right to post-surgical treatment plan. I relied on the OncotypeDX risk profile and am glad that we had that extra data in hand.and hope every woman facing this challenge gets that extra data.
Thank you for posting and don't underestimate good news when it has just as much chance of being true. The diagnostic technology is great but not perfect and our bodies have all kinds of odd things that self-resolve or were 'artifacts' generated by the tech equipment that aren't seen again.

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Replies to "Hi Moniguen, I assume that you're referring to the study that I mentioned questioning whether second..."

Thank you for reply.
Agree on every word you said I have also checked all searches, that coming my way.
I have noticed, the descripancy in thereports not very cleared and have some contradiction.
I asked for OncoDX. test, and tumour marker. Was willing to pay for, because here in
Canada all protocols treatments are under government insurance.Was refused
because I didn't have chemo !!! I also was surprised about my cancerous lamp, I have spotted last year at the age of 80.No history of family cancer.Only my benign nipple discharge more than 15 years ago. Decided to go only for bilateral lumpectomy and watch.
At older age the cancerous cells slowly develop.
Started Tamoxifen ( hormone therapy for ER positive)
I went on for holistic treatment ( Mistletoe injection), that suppostedly support immune
system. Will see result.My cancer is resent surprise for me!!!
Regards

Editor's Note:
When looking for and evaluating complementary therapies, please refer to NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrated Medicine (NCCIH) website https://nccih.nih.gov/

In the section "Health Topics A-Z" current therapies and conditions are listed explaining the most recent evidence, cautions and potential of future studies.

Here is their information on
– European Mistletoe https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/european-mistletoe
"European mistletoe is not a proven cancer treatment. It should not be used as a treatment for cancer outside of clinical trials."