Breast cancer at 30

But it's good that it was found early. You're lucky. I'm so scared. I have a small lump in my breast. I went to a mammologist, he felt it and said yes, there is one, it's mobile. But on the ultrasound, there's nothing, or rather fibroadenosis or something like that. I had two ultrasounds at different clinics. The mammologist said, like, everything's fine, I guarantee it, don't worry. But I'm still scared. And was everything fine on your ultrasound? And was the lump large to the touch? Why did you even decide to remove it if everything was fine? They didn't even send me for a mammogram or a tumour marker, saying there were no indications. But how can there be no indications if he himself said there's a small lump?

Pull yourself together and don't be afraid. The operation isn't that complicated. And you're at stage 1. I had one breast removed with simultaneous reconstruction. Initially, they diagnosed stage 1. After immunohistochemistry, it turned out to be stage 2a because one lymph node was affected. Then I had 4 courses of chemotherapy, and now I'm on hormone therapy for 5 years (but that's for a hormone-dependent tumour). It's fine, I'm living, and I have no intention of dying.
Good luck to you and a speedy recovery!

I sympathise with you, but look for the positive aspects! Stage 1 breast cancer is very treatable! It's a great stroke of luck that it was noticed in time! Everything will be fine, your breast shape will be restored, you'll undergo treatment, and in a couple of years you'll forget it all like a bad dream.

Tumour markers for breast cancer are rubbish, they're not very informative. They can be elevated due to a common cold. For your own peace of mind, get a mammogram privately.

But will it definitely show up on a mammogram? Recently we were fundraising for a girl's treatment, she was already at stage 4. Thing is, initially she had both an ultrasound and a mammogram and consulted with 2 mammologists, and both told her - it's mastopathy, have a baby and it'll all go away. And 4 years later, during pregnancy, they found stage 4 with metastases. So scary.

My sister went through it. They discovered it in the last month of her pregnancy. She was 31 at the time. It was an intraductal hormone-dependent tumour, so it wasn’t diagnosed straight away. At first, after the biopsy, they even staged it as stage 3. We were in shock!!! But, thank goodness. She gave birth, then had chemotherapy right away, followed by surgery. During the surgery, they downgraded the stage to 2b. Then came radiotherapy and more chemotherapy. It’s been almost two years now. Soon, she’s scheduled to have the other breast removed and implants fitted (back then, looks weren’t a priority). Stay strong! Everything will be alright!

Well, I don't know. In my case, an ultrasound showed a tumour, and even that was questionable, I mean what kind of tumour. The mammogram didn't confirm the malignancy of the tumour. But they still did a biopsy just in case, which confirmed the cancer. And the doctor I later went to for treatment (at the Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Centre) said she could even tell by touch that it was cancer. She explained that the tumour's edges were uneven, which is a sign of malignancy. Of course, they didn't make the final diagnosis just by touch—they did another ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy.

Above all, do not despair; breast cancer can be overcome.

I see, thank you. Wishing you good health. I'll be going to see a gynaecologist soon, it's a routine check-up. I'll mention the lump, and we'll see from there. Even though the mammologist said everything was fine and to come back in a year, I'll keep an eye on it. As I understand it, it's not always possible to determine with 100% certainty straight away and just relax. You have to monitor it, it's unpleasant, but what can you do.

I felt a small lump, about 2 cm long, very mobile, didn't hurt, on ultrasound - 95% fibroadenoma, I was examined by two very good practising mammologist oncologists - both surgeons, one is head of the oncology surgery department, the other has his own mammology clinic (with an oncology profile). Both said - 100% fibroadenoma, to the touch not even close to resembling cancer. I had a biopsy (I paid for it because they refused at the oncology centre, said there were no indications). The biopsy also showed benign. I removed it because I didn't want to carry something extra inside me and monitor and wait. Plus my family history isn't great. When he removed it, the doctor also said by appearance it's a fibroadenoma - all fine, don't stress. They know by sight what a cancerous tumour looks like. But the analysis which takes 10 days already showed cancer. The tumour itself was 1.5 cm * 0.8 cm on ultrasound and when removed.

I see. You also had a family history, so it's understandable why you had to do it. Mine isn't as clearly palpable and doesn't seem to be such a big lump yet. Is that analysis histology? Is that when they look at slides? Did you take those slides anywhere else for confirmation?

Thank you so much! They also initially said stage 1 based on the tumour size, and the lymph nodes are still to be checked, I hope it'll be normal, no suspicions in the lymph nodes by touch or ultrasound. The tumour, from the data so far, shows no vascular invasion, no skin invasion, they didn't remove much because they thought it was a fibroadenoma and there's no tumour growth at the resection margins either, the doctor says these are all good signs. Now we'll hope the tumour is hormone-dependent by IHC. Tell me, did you get an implant straight away? Was there pain after the surgery?

Yes, on slides. They're still finishing up a few things there, and then I want to have the slides reviewed again. But it won't affect my decision to remove both breasts and get implants; it might just change something in terms of further treatment strategy.

Wishing your sister good health!

Thank you!

Understood, wishing you health and good luck. Still, you're very lucky it was detected early. I read that at stage 1, 95% are cured. I think everything will be fine.

I encountered the same problem two months ago.
I decided that while I have insurance, I should get checked by all the doctors.
I had a mammogram last, and they called me to say I needed an ultrasound, and if they decided a biopsy was necessary, they would do it right away.
Long story short, the biopsy showed cancer.
On August 17th, I had surgery—they removed 1.4 mm, and the tumour itself was 1.2 mm.
Before the surgery, they took a biopsy from the lymph nodes.
The surgery took about 1.5 hours, and then I slept for half an hour—I couldn’t open my eyes.
The doctor told my husband everything went well.
We left home at 3 o’clock and arrived there at 8 a.m., but they took me in at 9, and until 10 there were various procedures.
In short, I was very worried about the lymph node results—yesterday I saw the doctor, and everything is fine.
In two weeks, I need to visit two doctors—one is a radiologist, and the other I didn’t quite understand.
They will decide whether to do chemotherapy or radiation.
After that, I’ll start looking for doctors who accept my insurance. For now, everything is being paid for.
And what’s most interesting—I’m not worried at all.
Before this, I always thought I’d have thoughts of illness and death in my head 24/7, but no.
The full recovery rate is 97%.
Let’s hope we fall into that percentage.
And yes, read Psalm 90 in the Gospel.
It helps.
And the Lord will not abandon us.
Talk to God all the time.

Author, I wish you patience and a speedy recovery! I also walked around with a tumour until the very end, and suffered a lot. I lost a lot of weight, my hair turned grey, and I'm only 30 too.
You have a little one, you have someone to be strong for! I faced this problem alone. Take this as a temporary trial, you'll see, everything will be alright!

Sorry, 1.4 mm or cm? Did they remove a sector? They only removed the tumour for me, and now we're going to do an extended operation—removing both breasts and putting in implants. Let's hope all people facing this problem—cope and stay healthy!

Sorry, was yours malignant too?

I just looked at the 14 mm. They made a small incision, probably 2 cm, and that's it. Although before the surgery and all the tests, the doctor said that the breast might need to be removed.

My tumour is also 14 mm and the incision is also 2 cm, but the doctor and I decided to remove both breasts and get implants. Have you already had the IHC done? Is your tumour hormone-dependent? They're only doing the IHC for me now, and then it'll be clear what treatment will be after the second operation, which is already on Tuesday.

Yes, I got the implant straight away. They took a flap from my back because there wasn't enough tissue on the breast. After the operation, my arm hurt—it was hard to lift it. But that's pretty much the case for everyone—you need to start exercising the arm right away. There wasn't much pain at the mastectomy site; I don't even remember if there was any at all. If it had hurt a lot, I would have remembered. It's just that it'll take a long time to get used to the loss of sensation in the armpit—that's because during the operation, when removing the lymph nodes, nerve endings get damaged.

Thank you so much for replying! And did you wear compression underwear? For how long?

Yes, I did. For about a month and a half for sure. Then I gradually started taking it off for a few hours because it felt uncomfortable without it. And I'd advise consulting with the surgeon beforehand about the size, so you can buy a spare set of garments. I only had one. They put it on me right after the surgery—the surgeon said they order this underwear along with the implants. I didn't know where to buy it. So I'd wash it and run to my neighbour's to dry it—she has a south-facing balcony, luckily it was summer. I don't remember the brand exactly... maybe Mirana or Marena... have a Google. I can't check because I gave mine to a friend—she's having delayed reconstruction.

Yes, definitely Maréna - I looked it up online

I also have a tumour of 14 mm and a 2 cm incision, but my doctor and I decided to remove both breasts and get implants. Have you already had an IHC test? Is your tumour hormone-dependent? I'm only having the IHC done now, and then it will be clear what treatment I'll need after the second operation, which is already scheduled for Tuesday.

I don't know what IHC is.
My doctor told me that I had a negative result for something and that it needs to be repeated, but she thinks it will be negative again.
I don't understand everything because English is my second language, and not all the terms are clear to me.
I understand the main points, but I always want my husband to be there so it's clearer.
My posts 17 and 21 were written at work; I'm at home now.

Yes, but I had it removed from one side. Not in Russia, though. I probably won't be able to breastfeed anymore, but I'd like to have a baby. Good health to everyone

Get an MRI, it's the most accurate diagnosis, preferably of the whole body, to make sure there aren't any other issues anywhere else.

Thanks, I'll think about it.

Author, where was it made?

Wishing you health and happiness... stay strong, everything will be fine.

A whole-body scan is PET-CT.

IHC - immunohistochemical examination.
I can only guess, of course, what your doctor told you preliminarily about the negative... Sometimes the tumour is triple negative. That is, the tumour is not sensitive to oestrogens, progesterones, and the her2neu protein. With hormone-dependent tumours, they first prescribe chemo and if necessary radiation, then hormone therapy, which involves suppressing the body's production of progesterone and oestrogen. With a positive reaction to her2neu (when it's +++) they drip, besides other chemo drugs, Herceptin, which suppresses the action of this protein. If the reaction to her2neu is ++, then they do an additional examination... If there is no reaction to all these hormones and the protein, then they only prescribe chemo and radiation... Well, that's me, in my own words.

Girls, I'm reading your posts and crying. How early cancer comes to some. My sister was diagnosed with isolated cancer cells in '96. She had surgery. In '99, she died. She was 37. After the operation, she needed to take care of herself, but she had three children to look after. And she lived in another city.
Now both medicine and diagnostics are different. I wish everyone to overcome this and live on healthily, to raise their children and see their grandchildren. Take care of yourselves!

Under the asterisks her2neu - colloquially known as *****/*****/r.

Yes, *****... *****.......*****.....r.... they call this protein

they won't let it through, no matter how hard you try... basically, her - just read it in Russian.

Magda,
Thank you for the clarification, but I already mentioned that I’m not overly worried and will take things as they come.
Today at work, a doctor I know looked over my papers and said he was pleased because everything looks much better than he expected. Nevertheless, he mentioned that chemotherapy might still be a possibility.
When I asked why, he said it’s to ensure that everything is completely eradicated.
This evening, he plans to discuss it with his friends who specialise in these matters (they play bridge together).

I also had an MRI done, but after the MRI, they recommended I have an ultrasound of my right breast as well, but thank God everything was fine there. So, does that mean ultrasound shows things better?

Why chemotherapy will be needed, the doctor will answer more competently. If you want my assumptions (yes, exactly assumptions, because I'm not a doctor!), then write the IHC results.

It's quite possible (but again, these are my assumptions) that they did an additional test for her2neu - that's when it's preliminarily ++ - then there are doubts about whether there's a reaction of this protein to the tumour, an additional FISH test is done to confirm whether Herceptin needs to be administered or not.

Author, it's good that everything was discovered in time. My neighbour at the dacha, who's already quite an elderly lady, had her breast removed over 20 years ago—also detected early. She's living well, healthy and energetic to this day. And everything will be fine for you too, stay strong, don't overthink it. Look at Angelina—she had both removed just because of poor heredity...

Now only tomorrow, as I left all the papers at a friend's place and didn't make copies.
Thank you for your sympathy.

Always make copies of all your tests and reports! 'Cause the originals can get lost, or be in the file that isn't handed over. Keep everything about yourself on you! Though they should always give you an official discharge summary to take away.

In the end, you might decide to consult another doctor - but you've got nothing on hand... so what? I practically know my diagnosis by heart... though I have both the original and copies - and not just one copy, because the oncologist where I live needs a copy, the chemotherapy doctor needs a copy too... for applying for disability - again a copy... and so on.

Магда, у меня всё есть, но я отдала своему другу-врачу, который завтра будет обсуждать мой случай с коллегами. Завтра я заберу у него.

Он не онколог, но раньше был нашим семейным врачом, и мы до сих пор дружим. Он мне очень помогает во всём.

Только что позвонили из офиса лаборатории, где делали УЗИ и биопсию — они выслали два счёта на 850 долларов и спрашивают, получила ли я их. А в моей ситуации волноваться нежелательно.

Я сказала, что ничего не делаю без назначения врача, а значит, страховка должна всё оплатить. Разобрались, но я всё равно переволновалась.

Now I'll be worrying about paying for the surgery, and then I need to find someone who will take my radiation insurance, which is 1000 per session, and I need 6 weeks of 5 days each.
In short, being ill is an expensive pleasure.
And I don't even know how much chemotherapy costs.
But it seems like with this illness, everything is covered.

What exactly did you have done?

It depends on what chemo – the cost of drugs ranges from dirt cheap to... And I don't know where you're being treated. In Russia, all drugs for cancer patients are free. Well, of course, the ones that are on the essential medicines list. If you prefer a drug that's not on that list, you'll have to buy it out of your own pocket. For example, I'm entitled to hormone therapy pills, the oncologist writes free prescriptions. But they don't suit me because of the side effects, so I buy different ones at my own expense...