Topic information for: Breast Cancer Concerns
Related Questions
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while conducting the self exam noticed a lump about the size of a small rubber bouncey ball, it's tender to the touch but the soreness has been there for a while now, and now there is this annoying growth on the underside of breast
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 13 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2011
Call the doctor's office first thing tomorrow morning!
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anonymous
Survivor since 2007
Anonymous it's unanimous! Get yourself to a doctor asap! Take care, Sharon
Comment 1
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My grandma arm is swollen really bad bc she has breast cancer? Her arm is in major pain any help on what to do?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 4 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
If she had any lymph nodes removed, this sounds like she may have lymphedema. You can search the mayo clinic internet site for more info on lymphedema. I had lymphatic chording as a result from surgery, and seeing a lymphatic physical therapist really helped me.
2 comments 2 -
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
I signed up for a newsletter from Johns Hopkins Hospital & Breast Cancer. Part of the newsletter was about Lymphedema... Please show it to your Grandma.
Take care, Sharon
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Individualized Care Best for Lymphedema Patients ...Comment 1I signed up for a newsletter from Johns Hopkins Hospital & Breast Cancer. Part of the newsletter was about Lymphedema... Please show it to your Grandma.
Take care, Sharon
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Individualized Care Best for Lymphedema Patients
Millions of American cancer survivors experience chronic discomfort as a result of lymphedema, a common side effect of surgery and radiation therapy in which affected areas swell due to protein-rich fluid buildup. After reviewing published literature on lymphedema treatments, a University of Missouri researcher says emphasizing patients' quality of life rather than focusing solely on reducing swelling is critical to effectively managing the condition.Jane Armer, professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing and director of nursing research at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, said many insurance providers and health care professionals assess whether lymphedema patients need treatment based solely on how swollen their limbs are. However, several studies have shown that the volume of fluid doesn't necessarily correspond with patients' discomfort.
"Practitioners need to treat the swelling while considering patients' distress. We don't want to burden them with unnecessary or ineffective treatments," Armer said. "Health care providers should focus on managing symptoms and choose carefully among various treatments to provide individualized care plans that comfort patients, which may require modifying existing protocols."
In their literature review, Armer and her colleagues found that Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), a comprehensive approach for treating lymphedema involving skin care, exercise, manual lymphatic drainage and compression of the swollen limbs, may be the best form of specialized lymphedema management.
"Patients have different medical needs and come from culturally diverse backgrounds. They have different goals, support systems, pain levels and treatment tolerances. All these factors influence patients' responses to care, which affects their well-being," said Marcia Beck, a review co-author and an MU graduate who now works at Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, Mo.
"Caring for lymphedema patients should be flexible and adjusted to maintain patients' quality of life," said Ausanee Wanchai, another co-author who received her doctorate at MU and now teaches at Boromarajonani College of Nursing in Buddhachinnaraj, Thailand.
In a separate literature review, the researchers found that Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) therapy, in which sequential inflatable devices surrounding swollen limbs are used to increase lymphatic circulation, is beneficial as an adjunct therapy for chronic lymphedema patients who have limited or no access to medical care; patients can use the compression devices in their homes.
Armer said further research is needed to demonstrate the usefulness of various lymphedema treatments, such as CDT and IPC. The literature reviews were the third and fourth in a series of 12 to be published in conjunction with the American Lymphedema Framework Project (ALFP). As director of the ALFP, Armer works alongside clinical experts and investigators to increase awareness of lymphedema and related disorders. The ALFP was founded in 2008 and is headquartered at the MU Center for Lymphedema Research, Practice and Health Policy. Its steering committee and staff currently are partnering with the International Lymphedema Framework (ILF) in producing an updated edition of the ILF Best Practice Document from 2006.
SOURCES:
Journal of Palliative Medicine, July 2012
University of Missouri, Columbia (http://www.missouri.edu)
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I have been diagnosed with DCIS and want a CT and /or PET scan but doctor doesn't seem to think it's necessary. Anyone with DCIS get additional testing?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
I was diagnosed with Stage II IDC. I had a PET/CT to complete staging and determine if the cancer had spread, even though the docs didn't think it had. But, as fortune would have it, cancer cells had spread to the lower spine. If the cancer is not invasive it is likely the test--which is an...
Comment 1I was diagnosed with Stage II IDC. I had a PET/CT to complete staging and determine if the cancer had spread, even though the docs didn't think it had. But, as fortune would have it, cancer cells had spread to the lower spine. If the cancer is not invasive it is likely the test--which is an expensive one--is not needed. It is likely that the insurance company would not pay for the scan based on the protocols for its use.
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anonymous
Survivor since 2012
Are further test necessary if the cancer isn't invasive?
Comment 0
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My mom was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago .. She had a double mastectomy and then another surgery today to remove the lymph nodes under her left armpit ... What does it look like from here ?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
Kelsie,
Believe it or not, she is still in a bit of a diagnostic's phase. Once she gets the pathology report, she will then find out what treatment she will need as far as chemo. What type of breast cancer and stage did they put her at? Is she ER PR +or- What is her her2 status?
There is a...Comment 1Kelsie,
Believe it or not, she is still in a bit of a diagnostic's phase. Once she gets the pathology report, she will then find out what treatment she will need as far as chemo. What type of breast cancer and stage did they put her at? Is she ER PR +or- What is her her2 status?
There is a whole lot that goes into diagnostic, which then will guide her oncologist in the direction of her treatment plan. It is quite a journey and she will need the love and support of her family and friends. She is probably going to have some tough days but she will make it and come out the other side one tough cookie. She is lucky to have you by her side. Hang in there.... and take care, Sharon.
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I just recently found a black spot on my breast. Should I be worried?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
My best advice is if this is something out of the ordinary for you, for your own peace of mind, have your doctor check it. Call your doctor today and make an appointment. Good luck to you. Sharon
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anonymous
Patient
Could be anything so don't worry. Just go get it checked so you know what to do. Don't wait though. Go right away, ok?
Comment 1
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How do wipe your bum, etc after surgery, if the boob removed is on the same arm you use for this job? Should a person practice with the other arm before? And what about a double mastectomy?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 8 answers
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anonymous
Stage 2A Patient
Wet wipes like cottonelle are great... Easy to use as they come in a pop up container and require less work...
Comment 2 -
anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
It really wasn't as difacult as it seems.
Comment 2
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Diagnosed in August of this year had my lumpectomy on 10/24/12, now have to go back on 11/7/12 to have surgery for lymph nodes is this normal ?
Asked by anonymous
Stage 1 Patient- View all 6 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
In Australia the surgeries occur at the same time - we get the radiotracer injection the day before or the morning of our surgery, for small tumours a guide wire is inserted under local anaesthetic to identify the tumour location accurately for the surgeon, a low compression mammogram image is...
Comment 1In Australia the surgeries occur at the same time - we get the radiotracer injection the day before or the morning of our surgery, for small tumours a guide wire is inserted under local anaesthetic to identify the tumour location accurately for the surgeon, a low compression mammogram image is taken also to assist with surgical tumour location, then once we are in the surgical theatre and have been given the general anaesthetic, a wand is waived over our armpit to detect the hottest radioactive node, it is then removed, often felt by hand for rice like graininess [a sign of cancer cells] and sent off to pathology for testing while the lumpectomy is being done. The results for the sentinel node are phoned back to the theatre - if the sentinel node is clear of cancer, normally no more nodes are taken and we are stitched up. If the sentinel node has cancer cells, then they normally remove nodes till they get to the point where they appear cancer free. It is like working your way through a bunch of grapes.
The in-surgery sentinel node pathology testing I referred to has a false negative rate of 5-10% ie., the node reads as clear but later and more thorough pathology testing may detect cancer cells. The in-surgery node testing is done by slicing the nodes into fine slices, and examining them but it is always possible for cancer cells to hide inside slices, or outside the slices being examined and also for the technician to make a human error and not see cancer cells. So that is one reason I can think of why someone could be called back for more extensive node removal. The remaining nodes sample are usually sent off with the excised tumour for deeper pathology testing. That can throw up more issues.It is not clear from your question if you have the sentinel node testing done at the time of your lumpectomy or not.
There may well be other legitimate reasons for returning for a separate operation to remove your lymph nodes , but the first thing I would do is ask the surgeon to tell you why it all was not done in the one procedure, with the one general anaesthetic for you to recover from and one off work/recuperation period?
You deserve very clear statements in that explanation.
I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with the surgeon maximising their income by performing two separate operations, requiring two lots of general anesthesia on you, longer recovery period, more stress, more time off work etc.
Then you can make up your mind if the answers you received are convincing, reasonable and stack up to professional practice or not. -
anonymous
Stage 2A Patient
Did they take any lymph nodes at time of lumpectomy? What was the status of those?
Comment 0
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I was given 6 doses chemotherapy and then could not cope with.hormone therapies due to their side effects on me .what is my risk ? It have mastectomy and it was invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
Sahar,
Oncologist talk in percentages. When my oncologist took me to a website called "Adjuntive Online" or something like that. It showed my percentages of survival with each treatment..... surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. I am just completed my 5th year. I will be very happy to...1 comment 4Sahar,
Oncologist talk in percentages. When my oncologist took me to a website called "Adjuntive Online" or something like that. It showed my percentages of survival with each treatment..... surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. I am just completed my 5th year. I will be very happy to stop with the hormone blocking drug as it has been lousy to have a hot flash once an hour. Oncologist's etc. can only go by statistics but we are all individuals. If you can't take cope with the hormone therapy then you can't. Predictions for reoccurrences are only truly a guess. There are plenty of women who have done every single treatment and still have had breast cancer show up again. We ALL have to be on our "A Game" and be very observant about anything that could be a symptom of cancer showing it's ugly face again. You are beating yourself up over this instead of patting yourself on the back for making it through chemotherapy and surgery. Breast cancer is a tough opponent and you have been a warrior. Go out there and live a good life. We all have to be observant but if something doesn't seem right, get in and see your doctor. I was on 3 month visits, basically for these past 5 years. Hang in there darlin' don't let guilt and worry rob you of good times. None of us really know the future so get out there and have a great time! God's blessings and take care, Sharon
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My nipple started to look odd a couple months ago as well as a little discharge, went to the doctors they said I was fine probably an infection.no change and now I have a lump
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
Tiffany,
I can see this is still bothering you, please go seek a second opinion. I don't like it when doctors brush something like this by saying..."Oh it is fine and probably an infection." Since this area has now formed a lump, further testing it needed either a mammogram or an ultrasound. ...3 comments 2Tiffany,
I can see this is still bothering you, please go seek a second opinion. I don't like it when doctors brush something like this by saying..."Oh it is fine and probably an infection." Since this area has now formed a lump, further testing it needed either a mammogram or an ultrasound. It wouldn't even be a bad idea if you had a biopsy. You will sleep better rather than wondering if this could be something more serious than "an infection." Many of these things are just fine but until you know, that little voice in your head is going to keep after you. Please get another opinion and ask for further testing just to be on the safe side. We really have to be our own best advocates when it comes to health care. You are wise to listen to that little voice.... it is there watching over you! Take care, Sharon PS.... don't hesitate to contact us again. -
anonymous
Survivor since 2011
Glad you got a second opinion. stick with it!
Comment 1
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What does it mean she they say the mass seems solid and does not have much blood flow?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
It means pretty much just that. Usually cancers have blood flows because that is how they are nourished to grow. You NEED to contact your doctor for a definite meaning in your specific case. Take care, Sharon
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Ask your doctors all of the questions you can think of. Write them down and take the list to your appt. if they don't answer them in a way you can understand or don't want to spend the time them get another doctor!
Comment 2
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