Have you beaten Breast Cancer?

Question

If so, Did you go through Chemo or radiation or both? how was your experience? any tips on helping someone get through it easier? Thanks.

Answer 1

I've beat it twice. The first time, I had a lumpectomy with a strong chemo cocktail consisting of Adriamicin (sp), Taxotere and something else. That was followed by radiation. The, 3 years later, I had a local recurrence. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction followed by Taxol and no radiation.

To answer your question, I would say, most of all, BE there for her to express her anger and fear. No one I knew would allow me to do that and I NEEDED to. Everyone I knew felt like if they didn't keep a denial-like positive attitude, the cancer would surely beat me.

Secondly, keep her laughing whenever possible. Laughter releases a hormone that reduces stress. Stress damages the immune system, so the less of it the better; especially when you are dealing with the severely compromised immune system of someone is going through chemo.

I wish you and yours the best in getting through this. It's no fun at all but it does come to an end and like childbirth, it's easily forgotten once it's over.

Answer 2

Diet plays a major role in curbing breast cancer. Foods like Brussels sprouts, wheat bran, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and fish help a lot, but items high in fat should be avoided as far as possible.

Women who are more susceptible to breast cancer are pre-menopausal of post-menopausal. Pre-menopausal women have more oestrogen, but even after menopause, when ovaries stop producing oestrogen, fat cells produce some oestrogen, so it is available in the body, and could be enough to cause breast cancer. http://cooking-international.blogspot.com/2014/05/beating-breast-cancer-vegetables.html

Answer 3

Nobody can ever say for sure that they have 'beaten' breast cancer, and no oncologist will ever tell you that you are 'all clear' or that your cancer will not return. It can recur or metastasize at any time. This is not to say nobody is ever clear of it, just that there is no way of knowing if you are, and no guarantees.

However, many of us are alive and well years after treatment.
I was diagnosed in December 03, grade 3 breast cancer with 13 lymph nodes affected. I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and I take Arimidex (anastrozole) and I'm currently fit and well.

Helping someone get through it? In a way that depends on your relationship to the person. If it's a friend, rather than say 'If there's anything I can do...' just do it. Cook a meal, pick up her kids from school, do her cleaning etc - especially important during chemo.

Allow her to talk if she needs to, and don't belittle her fears - never say 'You'll be ok' unless you KNOW it's true.

And please don't tell her to be positive; there's no evidence that being positive helps, and some evidence that cancer patients can feel guilty and depressed because they just CAN'T feel as positive as everyone urges them to be.

Also, and this is a pet peeve of mine, avoid any speculation as to how and why she got cancer (diet etc). Nobody is to blame for their own cancer, it just happened, it was bad luck.

I've told you the things that would have made it easier for me; other people will doubtless have more suggestions.

Good luck to you and to whoever it is that has breast cancer.

Answer 4

My sister is a 14 year survivor. she only had to have a mastectomy (no chemo or radiation). I am a 3 year survivor (stage 2) and had a partial mastectomy followed by chemo and radiation. Something my sister suggested that helped me immensely was to keep a journal. I poured out my fears, anger and frustration in it so that I could try to be strong in front of my husband and sons. I am healthy now and totally agree with another answer. Go do a load of laundry, or stop by the grocery store for her. Cook something for her that she can eat. I found that anything with marinara, eggs and potatoes tasted decent while doing chemo. Everything else tasted awful.

Answer 5

No, but I've outlasted it a couple times (so far). Yes, chemo radiation, hormonals, monoclonals - the whole shooting match.

Listen to what she (or he - men get it too) says and act accordingly. Cards are good, flowers are nice, lotions are good, scarves are great if she is going to have chemo hair loss, be careful with food chemo does a trip on the digestive system. Offers to drive her to treatment or cab vouchers would be welcome. If she has young children taking them to the zoo or whatever for the day would be great. Walking her dog, cleaning her cat's litter box - in short take some of her daily burdens off her.

Answer 6

I was diagnosed in 1999. I had a lumpectomy (rt. breast) and then was given Tamoxifen. After 3 months of the drug, the cancer was back in the same area. I underwent more surgery and then had IV chemo.
I've been cancer-free ever since. That's 7 years.
Getting through it? Just be there for the person. If you want to do something really nice, then buy her a gift certificate for a full massage. Oh, that will feel so good to her and it's very relaxing. She will REALLY appreciate it.

Answer 7

weight loss plan performs a important place in curtailing breast maximum cancers. meals like Brussels sprouts, wheat bran, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and fish help lots, yet products intense in fat could be prevented so a techniques as conceivable. women persons who're greater susceptible to breast maximum cancers are pre-menopausal of placed up-menopausal. Pre-menopausal women persons have greater oestrogen, yet even after menopause, while ovaries provide up producing oestrogen, fat cells produce some oestrogen, so it quite is obtainable interior the physique, and ought to be sufficient to reason breast maximum cancers.

Answer 8

No, but my great grandmother was just diagnosed with it and hoping that one day I can say that she was a person who beat it!