1. < Breast Cancer

Any testimonies where cancer didn't return?

Posted by Rom828 @jgallagher04921, Jun 4, 2023

I am new to this support group ( few weeks), but from what I have read there seems to be a trend with cancer coming back ( with all different diagnosis and treatment types). As I am still in the process of deciding on treatment, I'm starting to wonder " why bother going through all the side effects and feel ugly in the process if she-devil is just going to return".

Is there anyone out there that can speak to their win of cancer not coming back. What was ur diagnosis and treatment plan.. how long has it been since u were diagnosed?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

pbnew | @pbnew | Jun 23, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "People are going to post if their cancer came back. Most will not be on the..." + (show)
@windyshores

People are going to post if their cancer came back. Most will not be on the forum or posting if their cancer did not come back. It does give a skewed perspective though of course all posters are helpful.

I was diagnosed 8 1/2 years ago. Grade 2 or 3 (depending on the lab), lymphovascular invasion, highish ki67%, but low Oncotype probably because my ER was 95% and PR 80%. I had two mastectomies and did an aromatase inhibitor. No chemo, no radiation.

The aromatase inhibitors cut risk approximately by half. I never even considered not taking them. Side effects weren't bad but you have to watch your bone density.

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Windy shores I think I have asked you this before. Where is the proof that AI cuts risk recurrence in half?

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 23, 2023
In reply to @pbnew "Windy shores I think I have asked you this before. Where is the proof that AI..." + (show)
@pbnew

Windy shores I think I have asked you this before. Where is the proof that AI cuts risk recurrence in half?

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It was on my Oncotype report and my docs told me this as well. The "half" is approximate of course.

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leemiller | @leemiller | Jun 23, 2023

Yes. I was diagnosed with an "aggressive" breast cancer in Fall 2014 at stage IIIc and began the full journey (tired of that word) of mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and then continuing with the aromatase inhibitor - anastrozole - long-term. There was a brief hospitalization with neutropenia after a toxic reaction and a little scaling back my chemo dosages. I finished treatment in May 2015, and it was a couple years before I got past feeling fragile, and gradually came back to activity. My oncologist wants me to stay on the anastrozole because of the late stage at diagnosis, and I tolerate it well (whew). These days I walk and bike and am part of a long-term study of cancer survivors and the benefits of physical activity. The study paid for my Fitbit!
So, it absolutely DOES NOT always come back. And, maybe a strange insight - I'm not sorry I went through that.

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1 reply
mdr3 | @mdr3 | Jun 24, 2023
In reply to @leemiller "Yes. I was diagnosed with an "aggressive" breast cancer in Fall 2014 at stage IIIc and..." + (show)
@leemiller

Yes. I was diagnosed with an "aggressive" breast cancer in Fall 2014 at stage IIIc and began the full journey (tired of that word) of mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and then continuing with the aromatase inhibitor - anastrozole - long-term. There was a brief hospitalization with neutropenia after a toxic reaction and a little scaling back my chemo dosages. I finished treatment in May 2015, and it was a couple years before I got past feeling fragile, and gradually came back to activity. My oncologist wants me to stay on the anastrozole because of the late stage at diagnosis, and I tolerate it well (whew). These days I walk and bike and am part of a long-term study of cancer survivors and the benefits of physical activity. The study paid for my Fitbit!
So, it absolutely DOES NOT always come back. And, maybe a strange insight - I'm not sorry I went through that.

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leemiller!! I'm with you! What a great thing for me to read right now. I was diagnosed in 2019 at Stage IIIc as well and did the same -- took everything they offered me. They also added Zometa to that. I too tolerate the AI and I also do not regret the treatment (to be fair, because I had an easy time of it throughout). Now I have vulvar cancer (totally unrelated) Oddly I am more upset about this than I was about the bc (I think because it is a much more rare occurrence and I can't find any consistent medical literature on how it is diagnosed or the standards of care. With the bc it was much more straight forward). Have mammo and MRI alternating, every six months for surveillance.

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1 reply
leemiller | @leemiller | Jun 24, 2023
In reply to @mdr3 "leemiller!! I'm with you! What a great thing for me to read right now. I was..." + (show)
@mdr3

leemiller!! I'm with you! What a great thing for me to read right now. I was diagnosed in 2019 at Stage IIIc as well and did the same -- took everything they offered me. They also added Zometa to that. I too tolerate the AI and I also do not regret the treatment (to be fair, because I had an easy time of it throughout). Now I have vulvar cancer (totally unrelated) Oddly I am more upset about this than I was about the bc (I think because it is a much more rare occurrence and I can't find any consistent medical literature on how it is diagnosed or the standards of care. With the bc it was much more straight forward). Have mammo and MRI alternating, every six months for surveillance.

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Ah, sorry you got hit again, but glad anything is helpful. Yeah, sometimes with breast cancer I felt part of an epidemic - not alone. I hope you get whatever support you need.

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salamander | @salamander | Jun 24, 2023
In reply to @windyshores "People are going to post if their cancer came back. Most will not be on the..." + (show)
@windyshores

People are going to post if their cancer came back. Most will not be on the forum or posting if their cancer did not come back. It does give a skewed perspective though of course all posters are helpful.

I was diagnosed 8 1/2 years ago. Grade 2 or 3 (depending on the lab), lymphovascular invasion, highish ki67%, but low Oncotype probably because my ER was 95% and PR 80%. I had two mastectomies and did an aromatase inhibitor. No chemo, no radiation.

The aromatase inhibitors cut risk approximately by half. I never even considered not taking them. Side effects weren't bad but you have to watch your bone density.

Jump to this post

Why didnt you get radiation?

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 24, 2023
In reply to @salamander "Why didnt you get radiation?" + (show)
@salamander

Why didnt you get radiation?

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Because I had a mastectomy. I was told that one out of 5 radiologists would suggest radiation for me (grade 2 or 3, focal lymphovascular invasion, low Oncotype). However I have lupus and some docs were concerned about that as well as my lungs as I remember.

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salamander | @salamander | Jun 24, 2023

Oh I see. Starting tamoxifen soon. 🥲

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1 reply
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 25, 2023

@jgallagher04921
Rom828
I had IDC 31 years ago. I had mastectomy and chemo for 6 months.
So far it has not returned.
I had a very good oncologist who also helped me getting a second opinion from one of the top bc specialists in those days.
There is also much specific testing now to guide choice of treatment. Bc

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Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Jun 25, 2023
In reply to @salamander "Oh I see. Starting tamoxifen soon. 🥲" + (show)
@salamander

Oh I see. Starting tamoxifen soon. 🥲

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I started tamoxifen last night. Was very nervous to swallow that pill. Did not have any side effects my first night.

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