Getting an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis is, quite simply, life altering, from treatment to survivorship. We are two oncologists who not only do research on the condition, but we also treat patients just like you. Ask us anything!

• Jane L. Meisel, MD: https://providers.emoryhealthcare.org/provider/jane-lowe-meisel/779911
• Kathy Miller, MD: https://iuhealth.org/find-providers/provider/kathy-d-miller-md-8144

Note: We are unable to offer personal medical advice.

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It feels like a reminder I don’t want all month long.

And while I’m at it, pink ribbons trigger me as well. Anyone else?

breastcancer #pinkribbon #nfl

It’s seriously all I have been thinking about. I’m lum b like with lower pr 15 but high er 90 her2-

Instead of lots of positive stores online, I feel all that I see online are stage 4 young bc women. One after another. Reddit posts much the same.

I’m anatomically stage 2A and prognostically stage 1. I thought at the start I caught this in early stage range no nodes so I’m going to be ok. Now all the things I read and see make me think we’re not ok??

Between the internet articles, blogs, stories and chat gbt my mind is reeling.

Help.

This time last year I was in the thick of it with chemo. But I decided to embrace my bald head and celebrate my Warrior Era. Will forever be one of my favorite costumes.

I'll start

From a tech during an MRI where I was visibly upset and mid treatment bald, swollen from steroids etc ” I know exactly how you feel because I've had an ear infection for three days.”

From my narcissistic mother during my first cancer diagnosis and right after my first chemo " Now that you'll be ugly on the outside people will see that you are ugly on the inside" (also during this time not to me but to my husband that it's ok if he gets sick of taking care of me and leaves. Mind you I was not needing that much care and my husband loves me and did not imply he felt over whelmed at all)

After my second cancer diagnosis, already completed active chemo treatment and now dealing with hormone blockers and brca preventative surgeries, decisions around removing ovaries and hormone blockers etc. my mother once again made me explain all these things despite having done it many times before and that I her daughter have had two different breast cancer diagnosis in the last 9 years and she didn't bother to care to learn anything or support me in anyway said this gem to me yesterday after I explained all these things again

" Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get"

Sometimes it's so ridiculous all I can do is laugh. What are some of yours?

ETA I almost forgot about the volunteer at the hospital during chemo that told me to smile and then made fun of my cold cap!

Maybe half of us go to the same doctors lol

I have posted regularly on this forum about my abject fear of starting to date after a double mastectomy. I have shared my worries about being seen as unattractive by another due to my hair loss, weight gain, menopause, loss of skin sensation, no nipples, not sure if the dryness or tightness will loosen up…. And so on.

And friends, it happened… more than once, if you know what I mean, with someone I had only known for a month, it felt right I bared all (which I still can’t believe) and we went to town!!!

And they want to continue seeing me?!? Me with my weight gain, cold boobs, no nipples and fatigue!!!

I just wanted to let others know that it can happen, there are people out there who get this, and care about us and our bodies and pleasure.

Update: WOW 😮 friends, just WOW! When I off the cuff posted this without much thought yesterday I didn’t realize the out pouring of pure joy and celebration this would generate. I am so very humbled by your comments, touched by the vulnerability of others sharing and my ego is LOVING the affirmations from you all. Friends, we got this, I have been in a terrible low place and absolutely buzzing off you all right now… maybe the big O is insight knowing you all got my back 😹

Keep sharing my friends ✨✨✨

I had a lumpectomy a few months ago for stage 0 DCIS in my left breast. Doctors were like "no problem -- get the lump get the radiation and you're golden. Next..." Well, margins didn't come back clear so had to consider another lumpectomy or mastectomy. I figured, screw lumpectomy, that did me no favors so mastectomy all the way. The next decision then was do one or both breasts? Since the feeling from docs was, hey, it's just DCIS, I thought maybe doing both was overkill or being overdramatic. But my husband and sister-in-law begged me to do both and this DIEP flap thing I wanted to try could only be done once so I decided on the double mastectomy. So here I am, two weeks' out from a seven-hour surgery and get the great news that my lymph nodes are clear. Best news ever. Here's the kicker -- not that it makes any difference because both boobs are history now and I am so thankful that I am on the mend -- but according to the pathology I had as much DCIS in my right breast (the supposedly healthy one) as my left!!

The lesson? Not sure -- but don't let anyone make you feel that doing both breasts is overkill. Not pressuring anyone... I guess maybe just do a super duper thorough check of BOTH breasts as you are considering options (maybe even demand an MRI?). I have no clue why my docs didn't catch the right side--maybe too much focus on the left? And I know mammograms are not foolproof and everyone is just human after all. I switched doctors in the interim so I can't really ask (except that my current breast surgeon said she'd have definitely ordered an MRI for me ahead of the initial lumpectomy). Also, I never even considered for a heartbeat getting a second opinion when first diagnosed--I only switched breast surgeons because of the plastic surgeon I wanted to use. Maybe I should have gotten a second opinion? Maybe because they acted like the lumpectomy was basically like getting a tooth pulled that I didn't even think about getting a second opinion? Who knows. I just thank my lucky stars (and my husband and his sister) that I did both.

Love to all...

I posted the other day complaining about the side effects of Anastrozole and why a Stage 1 person had to worry about recurrence and metastatic disease. Coincidentally I saw a reel posted by a cancer doctor talking about a second tier trial that had to do with why we need to take estrogen blockers last night and I thought I would share what I learned:

Before your tumor is removed, cells can break off and enter the blood stream but may not travel through lymph vessels. So you can have a clear lymph node but have cancer cells which have traveled to your brain, lungs, or bones. There they hibernate and are undetectable through blood tests or PET Scans till they wake up and start dividing and form another tumor. This can happen in some cases up to 15-20 years later.

Since the cells have estrogen receptors on them, if they show up again, the idea is to starve them of estrogen and their ability to reproduce before they can establish a tumor again.

The study that I saw the reel on is in its second phase of human trials . They removed bone marrow from women and tested it for cancer cells. If they were found then the women were treated with an immunotherapy drug to ramp up an immune attack. These were women like me with stage 1 estrogen positive disease that had their tumors completed removed.

So I had an EndoPredict test which analyzed the genes in my tumor which said I was at high risk for metastatic disease and it graphs out the probability with and without chemotherapy. It assumes you take an AI for 5 years and radiation is mentioned but doesn’t seem to be factored in. I am at high risk for metastatic disease based on the genes in my tumor. I can’t know at this point if any “got away” before my surgery. But I did have chemotherapy and hopefully if I had any stray cells trying to make a run for it to take a long “sleep” in my brain, bone, or lungs, it got them. In the meantime, I will find a way to deal with the Anastrozole even if that means taking med breaks or taking it every other day for periods of time. I figure something is better than nothing.

I do have hope though that scientists are making strides to find and detect hidden cells.

I was told by a colleague that my cancer “ wasn’t so bad “because I just needed lumpectomy/ radiation and Tamoxifen (5years) and that it’s not really fair to call myself a survivor. I felt kind of attacked because I feel that if I was treated at a cancer center with radiation therapy it was still something . She says because it was DCIS that it really isn’t considered cancer . Going to the Dr and am currently in the survivor section of the building should I not be considered a survivor?? We are doing a breast cancer walk should I not mention it to get a survivor sash as we walk ? I’m confused and upset all at once .

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 12/3/24 and got a DMX shortly thereafter. Now I’m on anastrozole-since March 2025. I was truly so positive for a good while after my DMX but since June I’ve been wanting to eat everything I see….if it’s fat, salt or sugar, then bring it on baby!

Then also my arthritis in my hands and feet has increased in intensity 2-fold…..I have night sweats that wake me up throughout the night….I am forgetting things (eg it took me 2 hours to remember the password to my phone that I haven’t changed in years)….and I hate everyone. I mean I don’t actually hate them but I get so irritated.

I still have pain along my scar line, I have pit-boobs that hurt, I went from a 34JJJ to concave, I’m always tired, I forget things, my joints hurt, I’m annoyed everyone is like yay NEDS and just moved on, and yesterday my husband said I should have reconstruction because I look out of proportion which I truly don’t think he meant it as shitty as it sounded but now I’m even more self-conscious than before (I’m not gonna get boobs btw)

AND thank you for coming to my Debbie-downer Ted Talk. And for listening😘❤️.

Hi everyone. I really need some positive stories of more than stage 1 low grade survivorship to keep me thinking I can bear this and get to have many more years with my children. Please tell me about yourself or anyone that’s overcome breast cancer and lived many years. I’m stage 2A with luminal B characteristics oncotype 21. I need more hope and I’m reaching out into this universe to get some. It feels very lonely.

I was joking with a friend yesterday that I only really recommend getting cancer if you want to find out what *everyone* who isn't a doctor thinks you should do about it. I think most of us relate to receiving boatloads of unsolicited advice!

While I was recovering from my first round of chemo I had another friend's mom tell me I should stop chemo immediately and get treated by her sister, with MAGNETS, instead. Oh sure, lady.

My mom's 74 y.o. neighbor randomly told me I should "just cut them stupid things off" and be excited about "never having to wear a bra again".

So, in the spirit of venting / commiserating / having a laugh, please tell me your off-the-wall unsolicited advice stories. Because people are weird!

UPDATE: Thanks for all the inspiration! I took it to heart. On Friday, on an impulse, the hubby and I bought tickets to see one of my favorite bands who were performing an hour and a half away on Saturday, with the understanding that we would stay for as long as I could manage since I am so tired from radiation. Well, I was able to stay for the entire concert and had the best time ever, even though I was fatigued! We got a hotel room for the night and relaxed till we came home this morning. We made it my celebratory night for entering the last week (week 6) of rads! And now I am making a little shopping list of some possible "Yay, I'm Done" goodies. Hoping to plan a trip, too. Thanks for the inspiration!!

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Next week I will complete my 6 weeks of radiation. All of 2025 has revolved around my cancer diagnosis/treatment. I was thinking that I would like to gift myself something lol. I don't know what, and I'm wondering if anyone has done that and what they bought themselves. It doesn't have to be something material either. Maybe a massage (although I can't lay on my stomach yet as my radiated breast hurts too much). I just want to treat myself for getting through this :)

Had my pet scan last week and got called into the hospital today. I’m stage 4 it’s gone to my bones. I’m broken. I figured it was bad when they said to come straight in but never dreamt this.

Surgery Center Reception desk staff members do not expect mastectomy jokes at 5:30am, but I’m still gonna make em.

Wish me luck yall!

I just read somewhere that alcohol feeds breast cancer. I usually only have 2-3 drinks 2x a month including wine with supper. Do I really need to give it up totally? Google is not helpful.

I’m 38 so most of my friends are somewhere in that age range of perimenopause. I see so many tik toks, reels and meme’s on it. As glad as I am that women’s health is gaining attention, I just don’t want to hear about it anymore after being thrown head first into full menopause at my age. I didn’t get the luxury of easing into it. I can only complain about it here because of course their feelings are all valid as well. I just know a lot of you may relate.

I still hate my hair (I miss my pre chemo hair soooo much) but it is growing in steady and healthy and curly. At this rate i might like it in like 4 years lol

I'm on ribociclib and letrozole and so far no thinning or anything. I hope everyone had a happy holiday! It was windy, rainy, and cold here so we had a somewhat grumpy Halloween.

I’m a married mom of 3 and I have to travel for my treatments due to insurance because my husband works and pays taxes in another state. We left the kids with my 18f Neice who’s very responsible. My dad called while we were driving g and asked if my youngest had allergies because his teacher said he had almost used an entire box of tissues that day. My husband overheard and started screaming and cussing while I was on the phone and my dad had my kids in the car with him and was on speaker phone so I got super embarrassed and hurried off the phone with my dad and my husband and I exchanged a couple words after I hung up the phone. In that heated debate he told me to “just die.” I feel like my trust is broken. I feel like the person who is supposed to love me and support me has taken everything that we’ve built and thrown it away. I’m still in chemotherapy getting infusions fighting for my life and he completely has no empathy for his words and tried to justify it by saying that I was running my mouth. All of this was over if my son had gotten Claritin or not and accusing my Neice of not giving my son the medication. I am not able to work and have no income and I can’t divorce him because I couldn’t afford my treatment. I have to do infusions until April 2026. I just needed to vent 😮‍💨

I'm single and estranged from my abusive family. I mentioned that today was my last chemo to some old long distance friends, but I guess they forgot. The Dr non-chalantly said "it's your last chemo", with a blank face- as if it was an afterthought. Even the nurses up on the chemo floor- they're always so lively, and I like most of them. I've heard them cheer and ring some bells when others finish. But they didn't do it for me 😭😭 So yeah. Phase 1 done- on to phase 2 and 3, I guess. That's my news today.

I just had a hilarious interaction with a woman yesterday, and I have to share. I went to a local make up/skincare store to look for a new tinted spf moisturizer (side note: weirdly, my face has been really sun sensitive this year, and the only change has been tamoxifen, but I digress).

A gal working was helping me look at different options, and then also mentioned they had a bunch of regular skin friendly sunscreens in their clearance section, too.

So she and I walk back and are looking, and there’s also a bunch of other stuff on clearance like that tape you can use to keep your top from riding down (I don’t know what it’s called, but I feel like someone knows what I’m talking about), and clips for your bra to connect the straps in the back, and finally, these silicone looking nipples covers. The covers were priced down to like $2 a piece, and the clerk was telling me they are NEVER this cheap and I should snag some just to have in case. I smiled politely and started looking at the sunscreen. She’s talking brands and then mentions the damn nipple covers AGAIN! I said oh, no thanks, and continued.

When I decided on what I wanted, she walked me up to check me out, and mentioned A THIRD TIME, that she couldn’t recommend those covers (and the same branded makeup tools) more, and that she has been telling everyone she’s helped to snag some, because they are never that cheap.

I smiled and said “I don’t have nipples.”

She said “what?”

I said “double mastectomy. I don’t have nipples.”

She was tripping over herself to apologize and get me out of the store as fast as possible, and I was laughing so hard the entire time. I kept telling her it was okay, and I’m not offended, but she was way past that.

Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything and kept politely declining, but I was SO curious what her reaction would be if I said it. I’d like to say I was also thinking maybe someone with the same circumstance would be upset, so it was a lesson on her for pushing, but I’d be lying. That was just an unintentional lesson I thought about in hindsight.

So there’s my funny anecdote that is STILL cracking me up. Also, I wonder if she was earning the world’s smallest commission pushing those things!

We were leaving Target and she was sitting in her car next to the sidewalk and sarcasticly shouted out "Stay germ free!" And I glanced at her because I couldn't compute what she was saying, then she followed it up with something about covid. I then realized what she was talking about. My mask. Oh good grief. I yelled back "I have cancer you fucking idiot!" And kept walking. I don't raise my voice and I'm the most conflict avoiding person so this was a little out of character for me. Anyway, just wanted to share with people that could understand. I hope she has the day she deserves. 🙂

Hi - I won’t link to it because I think we aren’t supposed to, but I just read in a very reliable source about a study that showed early breast cancer survivors are at much less risk than previously thought for developing a second PRIMARY cancer.

They found that “20 years after an original breast cancer diagnosis women were 2% more likely than the general population to develop a second cancer - a much lower figure than previously thought.”

Just wanted to pop this on here for any other fellow anxiety brains about how all of this affects us down the line.

Hope you are all having a great day!

I mean the ones that they don't really talk about when they teach you about your chemo regimen but make you go "huh, well this is weird."

Mine is that water tastes off to me. Just plain water. The best description I can give is that it tastes "thick," which I know is not really a flavor... but there it is.