Forum.

We have added a new forum to help people get support and find answers to some of their questions. I had lots of questions that I didn't have the answers to and had to ask other people for help. Hopefully the community will build and be of great use to cancer patients,family,friends and carer's.

List Of Things You Should Know About Breast Cancer.

More women get breast cancer than any other cancer.
Most women who have small early stage breast cancer after treatment survive and are living years later.
It is very important to check for changes in the breast and get them checked as soon as possible
If there is a strong family history of cancer you should be checked often.
A mammogram can find cancer up to 4 years before a woman would notice a sign herself.
Did you know that a lump can be growing for years before you notice it?
Males can also get breast cancer.
If you carry the breast cancer gene it can also cause other cancers.

What Do You Say To Someone Diagnosed With Cancer?

What do you say to someone diagnosed with cancer? This is a good question. Most people don't know what to say or do. Some people say "what can I say" and others just stay away from you because your very sick and they don't know what to say or do. It is a very hard situation to be in, especially when it is someone close to you. Does anyone give a second thought to the carer and what they are going through? Also the fact that they might need support. They try to be strong for the cancer patient and in the meantime suffer in silence because they don't want to upset the cancer patient. Not only do they have to look after the patient and take care of things, they also have to watch and see what the cancer patient has to go through every single day. When I first got diagnosed with breast cancer my aunt said, "What can I say? I will light a candle for you." I had lots of family support at the start with people wanting to do everything and not leave me on my own. When Kevin came to Ireland everyone backed off so he didn't have much support at all. My Aunt got diagnosed with terminal cancer and I knew exactly what to do only because I had cancer myself. When I saw her I hugged and kissed her and thats all I had to do without saying a word. My advice would be: Don't stay away. If you don't know what to say, don't say anything. Just tell the cancer patient that you are there if needed. Don't try to take over and make decisions for the patient. Listen to what he or she wants. Just because they are sick does not mean that they cannot make their own decisions. Offer some support to the carer and maybe take some of the pressure off them. Another thing I'd like to say is when your a cancer survivor the problems just don't dissappear. Sometimes you have problems for years after. Continue to offer your support even when treatment is over. Don't just assume that because the cancer is gone, everything is fine.

Breast Cancer Gene Test.

After been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38,having an uncle who had breast cancer, a strong family history of cancer I decided to have the breast cancer gene test. It takes 4 months for the results to come back and mine are due back in October. The results could be yes that I do have the gene, no that I don't have the gene or maybe. The doctor said if I do carry the breast cancer gene then it can cause ovarian cancer so they suggest having my ovaries removed. I told him if I do carry the gene then I want my ovaries and the other breast removed. After having breast cancer already I never want to go through that again. If it means having more of my body parts removed then so be it.

Breast Reconstruction Follow Up.

Today I had my check up after the breast reconstruction. They said it is looking really good and took some of the dressings of today. I saw a line at the top and I know there is a line going across the bottom of the breast. I feel different like the tempoary boob is super glued on to me lol. I know thats not the case I just have to get used to having a breast there again. The scars need some healing time then I'm sure they will look much better. I'm still very tired I am house hunting as well as trying to heal and get some rest. I find it all very draining and stressful at the moment. Hopefully things will start to look up soon.