secondary bone cancer from breast
Posted on: Thu, 14/08/2008 - 08:00
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secondary bone cancer from breast
Hi everyone, New to this and not sure what I am doing but here goes.I have a close and special relative who has been diagnosed with secondary bone cancer after a 4 year battle with breast cancer.The only thing they have said to me is that they are in stage 2 it is terminal and wont be long, was blubbing too much to ask what this means can any one help, or give me an idea how to talk about it with them.
hello i have had secondary bone now for 6 years there are 4 stages 4 being the last one either a consultant or nurse should explain all this to you so i hope this helps a little bit
Hi there Chrisie and KG55
Sorry to hear about your relative Chrisie must be a very worrying time for you/them.
I too have recently been diagnosed as having secondary bone cancer from breast. I have to say, I didn't think about it having a grading and have not asked my Oncologist about my own prognosis but will do so when I see her next week.
Like KG55 I do know about the grading system and know that grade 4, stage 4 is the worst. If you look on the Cancer Backup main site it does explain the different gradings and stages.
From what I understand secondaries are usually classed as incurable until they stop responding to treatment when a terminal diagnosis is made. This could be what your relative has been told.
I also read up on bone secondaries on the Q&A'a on CB main site and effectively it says that bone cancer generally doesn't kill you, its when the cancer spreads into other areas (soft tissue etc.) when it gets you.
My doctor told me that she is treating a woman who has had bone secondaries for 20 years and whilst it keeps coming back in various bones they keep zapping it with radio therapy and she lives a normal(ish) life (so that's what I'm hoping for!!)
KG55 - you've had yours for 6 years is it contained? Do you still have treatment etc. I'm very interested in how it affects your everyday life it at all.
Hope this helps Chrisie and look forward to hearing from you KG55.
Kind regards
Carole
xx
Thankyou so much for your help. Its great to know that its not all gloom and doom. Will let you all know how things are.Once again thanks and bless you all.
But just wanted to say how useful this thread has been for me too. I have only just started treatment last week and went for my bone scan today - Whilst I am still praying that the scan is negative, the fact that you folks are out there surviving even this on top of BC is heartening. apologies again for hi-jacking your thread.
You are definitely not hijacking, this forum is for all of us. I'm so glad you have found the info. useful. Please let us know how you get on. I will send positive thoughts to you (don't believe in anything else, sorry!) I have personally found What Now extremely helpful and enlightening so keep visiting. Believe me, not the end of the world, keep positive, it really helps.
love and best wishes
Carole
xxxxx
Carole I think I would have cracked up by now if I hadn't found this site. I know everyone seems to hate the "P" word, but I will be thinking of you as you continue your treatment also.
It's also good to know that perhaps a question I post might help someone else also.
XXXX
J