I was a long term survivor of 30 years (since age 43) after chemo & mastectomy. But new "recurrence" at age 73 under the ribs near the old site. Very slow growing I guess?
@jardinera25 sorry to hear! May I ask, did you take hormone blockers?.And what will be your treatment this time? Stories like yours are valuable to us. Thanks & best wishes!
I was first diagnosed in 1991. I am now 71 and was diagnosed in May 2025 with the same type of breast cancer. Surgery, radiation and just finished chemo.
@kletrinka7, good advice. I can imagine it was a shock to find something suspicious after 19 years of no evidence of cancer. What chemotherapy are you on now? How are you doing with the side effects?
@colleenyoung Same stuff I was on before, except this time it's a year of chemo. Surprise, surprise. And side effects are crappy....perfect word to describe them. Do have an appetite though so that's good. And the doctors/nurses are really good at making sure I get the help I need with side effects. I think it's just that I'm older and my body isn't as strong as it was the first time.
I'm sorry to hear about your recurrence. I would guess that this is the biggest fear we have - will it come back? When? Where? I see all the percentages of 5 year survival, 10 year survival ... I see that and think it doesn't make me feel comfortable knowing that sometimes that means recurrence, treatment and survival. Has anyone seen any information on clinical research/trials of medications/treatments that seek out dormant/sleeper cancer cells and destroy them? I would love to hear any info about this.
@reeno
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer on Nov 11 and had the cryoablation procedure done on Dec 17 instead of a lumpectomy. No surgery and no anesthesia! Since I don't plan on taking any drugs with horrible side effects, I have done a lot of research looking into natural compounds against cancer stem cells and bioactive foods to stop cancer stem cell re-growth. Also, Dr. Young Kim, Ph.D, at the National Cancer Institute and is an expert in nutrition as it relates to cancer prevention.
I had a mastectomy, right breast plus chemo 19 years ago. Thought I was done with breast cancer. August of this year went for yearly mammogram. They found something suspicious....did a surgical biopsy. Ended up having a mastectomy, am now on chemo. On the plus side, I never have to wear a bra again. (I'm old and wearing a bra is just a nuisance, not a thrill like when I got one as a teenager.) Please ladies, get a mammogram when you are whatever age it is recommended to do so and even when you're in your late 70s or if you discover a lump during a self exam....and please do a self exam when you are of an age when it's recommended. Getting chemo when you are in your late 70s seems a lot harder to tolerate than when you're younger but don't let that stop you from trying to catch it in early stages.
@kletrinka7, good advice. I can imagine it was a shock to find something suspicious after 19 years of no evidence of cancer. What chemotherapy are you on now? How are you doing with the side effects?
I am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
@grandx6 Great news, I am glad you did all the treatments available. I lost all my hair when on chemo, not for breast cancer, did not bother me at all. Had to wear scarves and hats, it can get cold without hair on your head.
I am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
I had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
I had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
This is my first official post. I had DCIS in right breast 30 years ago and ILC 18 months ago, ER+, stage 2, node negative, in the left. It was not a recurrence. I had a mastectomy with the first one and no more treatment. Had a lumpectomy and radiation with the recent cancer but I declined taking anastrozole because I have osteopenia and fear for my bones. I exercise religiously and eat well, hoping it helps. I’m 79 years old and don’t want to live in pain from side effects so I declined further treatment. It’s a gamble.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
@jardinera25 sorry to hear! May I ask, did you take hormone blockers?.And what will be your treatment this time? Stories like yours are valuable to us. Thanks & best wishes!
I was first diagnosed in 1991. I am now 71 and was diagnosed in May 2025 with the same type of breast cancer. Surgery, radiation and just finished chemo.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@colleenyoung Same stuff I was on before, except this time it's a year of chemo. Surprise, surprise. And side effects are crappy....perfect word to describe them. Do have an appetite though so that's good. And the doctors/nurses are really good at making sure I get the help I need with side effects. I think it's just that I'm older and my body isn't as strong as it was the first time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@reeno
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer on Nov 11 and had the cryoablation procedure done on Dec 17 instead of a lumpectomy. No surgery and no anesthesia! Since I don't plan on taking any drugs with horrible side effects, I have done a lot of research looking into natural compounds against cancer stem cells and bioactive foods to stop cancer stem cell re-growth. Also, Dr. Young Kim, Ph.D, at the National Cancer Institute and is an expert in nutrition as it relates to cancer prevention.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kletrinka7, good advice. I can imagine it was a shock to find something suspicious after 19 years of no evidence of cancer. What chemotherapy are you on now? How are you doing with the side effects?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@grandx6 Great news, I am glad you did all the treatments available. I lost all my hair when on chemo, not for breast cancer, did not bother me at all. Had to wear scarves and hats, it can get cold without hair on your head.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI am a 26 year breast cancer survivor with no reoccurrence. I was diagnosed the same age my Mother died of breast cancer, 47. ( I did genetic testing and do not have BRCA mutations.)
I was stage 1 ER+ with no limp node involvement. I had a lumpectomy with a very small tumor with clear margins removed. I did 30 rounds of radiation and did 8 rounds of optional chemotherapy (CMF) I joke that I did the chemotherapy so I could get a year off of work. I had very little hair loss.
I did 5 years of Tamoxifen and 5 years letrozole. Of course I had side effects from the medications and treatment but I powered through to save my life. I had 3 teenage boys ( my Mother had 3 teenagers when she died) I wanted to see my sons grow up. I did everything my oncologist told me to do regardless of the medication side effects. In the beginning the side effects are difficult but tend to ease as your body adapts. I eat a really clean diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, some meat. My suggestion is to do the Chemo if it’s an option because I believe that’s why I’m here today. Hair loss is nothing compared to life loss. My friend with BC very similar to mine didn’t and is now gone. Also take the medications, fight the side effects. Remember you are fighting to save your life. I’m in good health today at 73 with 6 grandkids.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
11 Reactions@5148branelly Most people do not get recurrencies, but those are the ones we hear about.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsI had a lumpectomy in 2014–so nearly 12 years. No recurrences.
I was Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement.
I get yearly mammograms and do monthly (mostly) breast checks.
I was originally treated with oral chemotherapy and radiation.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsThis is my first official post. I had DCIS in right breast 30 years ago and ILC 18 months ago, ER+, stage 2, node negative, in the left. It was not a recurrence. I had a mastectomy with the first one and no more treatment. Had a lumpectomy and radiation with the recent cancer but I declined taking anastrozole because I have osteopenia and fear for my bones. I exercise religiously and eat well, hoping it helps. I’m 79 years old and don’t want to live in pain from side effects so I declined further treatment. It’s a gamble.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions