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What are warning signs of triple negative breast cancer recurrence?

Posted by SABITHA @sabithamayo, Jul 3, 2022

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in2018 and had lumpectomy with lymph node dissection followed by chemotherapy and radiation. I am aware of the high recurrence rate because of triple negative, I do self breast examination twice in a month.Pls adv what are the visible signs of a regional and local recurrence in my breast and dissection area? what all things i have to check to find out warning signs of a recurrence

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jun 13, 2023
In reply to @sabithamayo "Dear Chris, Thanks for your reply and advice, i do self examination twice a month ...." + (show)
@sabithamayo

Dear Chris,

Thanks for your reply and advice, i do self examination twice a month . I down loaded the file from the link you provided, thank you
Yes my doctor do mamaogram on follow up consultation which happen once in a year. Here no one examine my breast visually or physically.

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Ah geez, knowing that. Getting a downloadable file of how to do a self breast examination is something I can advocate for, if Mayo does not have one. There needs to be a better option than the one I found.
I will see what I can find out.

REPLY
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Jun 13, 2023
In reply to @sabithamayo "I am a TNBC survivor for past 4 years , i had lumpectomy/lymph node dissection on..." + (show)
@sabithamayo

I am a TNBC survivor for past 4 years , i had lumpectomy/lymph node dissection on left breast followed by chemo and radiation. My follow up consultation with oncologist and subsequent mamo/MRI is scheduled only once in an year . I am worried about high local and regional recurrence chances since being triple negative.
I heard that a systmatic & scientific method of self evaluation on the breast and surrounding areas will help to find out early warning symptoms of a recurrence. Also read in some article that comparison of breast size / colour changes /rashes etc will help finding any noticeable changes which can be a warning sign of recurrence.
I am not able to find how to do a self breast evaluation and comparison more scientifically and systematically.
In my follow up consultation with doctors as well , they dont examine my breast and affected areas ( in India generally this is not followed and completely left general physical condition and scan/mamo reports)
Can you pls adv me how to do self examination and comparison more systematic and scientific way, and also what all areas to be checked and looked up for comparing

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We have a great man on our mentoring team who found these links for me.
But I found them to be lacking in the kind of information that helped to find my own breast cancer. Maybe the you tube will follow it up with a better tutorial.

--- Breast self-exams and what to look for - Mayo Clinic: https://youtu.be/fBC_umUbP7s
--- Breast self-exam: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/multimedia/breast-self-exam/img-20008171
--- Breast Health 101: What Every Woman Needs to Know - Ask Mayo Clinic Health System:
https://youtu.be/q1GAsG7kTMc

REPLY
SABITHA | @sabithamayo | Sep 14, 2023

Hello all,
I did my yearly check up with my oncologist few days back and did Mamogram & scanning
I am attaching a screen shot of the finding , " small subcentimetric node rt axilla-clinically not palpable-plan follow up after 3 months with USG and FNAC "
Oncologist said there is a lump / swelling in lumphnode and instructed me to do FNAC after 3 months.
What could be the reason for waiting for 3 months to reconfirm this ?
Also if there is any precaution i have to do to during this period
I am currently at 3.5 years after my TNBC lumpectomy and lymphnode dissection and further chemo/radiation treatment
I am worried here of a recurrence

REPLY
1 reply
rhongirl | @rhongirl | Sep 15, 2023
In reply to @megsmum "Hello Colleen, my beautiful girl lost her fight on Saturday morning, just 14 months from finding..." + (show)
@megsmum

Hello Colleen, my beautiful girl lost her fight on Saturday morning, just 14 months from finding the lump. Almost dying with the chemotherapy, being elated after breast removal, and very tired with the radiotherapy, the rollercoaster came to a stop. There are no words, just check your boobs xxx

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I am so very sorry, @megsmum. Cancer chooses no favorites, and we are all touched by it in some way. I was diagnosed with TNBC in Dec. 2019. My heart aches to hear of another with this disease. Even that this is almost a year later, your words and suffering touch others. I hope that when you reach that day of a year gone by since your daughter's passing, you will be comforted by sweet memories of her life outside of the cancer. Our legacy is more than the disease, but of a life lived well. Big hugs in these coming weeks.

REPLY
rhongirl | @rhongirl | Sep 15, 2023
In reply to @sabithamayo "Hello all, I did my yearly check up with my oncologist few days back and did..." + (show)
@sabithamayo

Hello all,
I did my yearly check up with my oncologist few days back and did Mamogram & scanning
I am attaching a screen shot of the finding , " small subcentimetric node rt axilla-clinically not palpable-plan follow up after 3 months with USG and FNAC "
Oncologist said there is a lump / swelling in lumphnode and instructed me to do FNAC after 3 months.
What could be the reason for waiting for 3 months to reconfirm this ?
Also if there is any precaution i have to do to during this period
I am currently at 3.5 years after my TNBC lumpectomy and lymphnode dissection and further chemo/radiation treatment
I am worried here of a recurrence

Jump to this post

Ask questions @sabithamayo. You have to be your own advocate. If you are unsettled, follow it up and follow it through until you have the answers you need.

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