what are the chances of two seperate cancers?

Question

I am currently awaiting results from an abnormal colposcopy, and have just discovered a lump in my breast.

I am completely knackered with what i thought might be a chest infection and was umming and ahhing about going to my gp about it, when i found the lump yesterday.

As an ex nurse i am of course putting 2 and 2 together and coming up with 56!!!

I know no one can give me any difinative answers, but has anyone any experience of multiple cancer sights. I am only 35 and a single mum of 2 children, the thought of questioning my own mortality is very scary.

thanks so far, yes i know of primary and secondary cancers and it is that ,that is worrying as lung cancer is often secondary to breast...the colposcopy bit just doesnt fit in though. As i said im doing amazing mental arithmatic and coming up with hysterical answers, i must add only sometimes , i know as well as anyone it is more likely to be something of nothing. Its just I have been pushing the colpo rsults to the back of my mind as i dont see the consultant till january, but now this has all come up as well.

Answer 1

This is obviously very concerning for you and you need some early reassurance .
If you can not see the consultant reference the colposcopy till January then try and put this to one side and concentrate on the lump you have found , I know this will be hard but it is the practical answer and ladies like yourself with two young children will know all about practicalities !!!
Make an appointment with your GP immediately to check out the breast lump . You have obviously just discovered this so it is in early stages even if it is cancerous
Hopefully you will get reassurance from your GP about the lump and you can put that to the back of your mind and enjoy Xmas with your kids .
Hopefully your arithmetic is way off the mark , I wish you good luck

Answer 2

If you are a nurse than you must know about metastatic cancer . . that is why cancer is so deadly in the first place . .it does not stay in one place, but can travel anywhere in the body. It is absolutely critical to be evaluated immediately . . this might not be two separate cancers, but it definitely could be the same cancer that has metastasized. My son has metastatic abdominal sarcoma and he had mets (tumors ranging in size from volley ball to seed size) throughout the body from the pelvic region, liver, large and small intestine, diaphragm, lymph nodes, chest wall, sleen, liver, lungs, and literally hundreds of mets in the abdominal wall.

So, the answer to your question . . is not definitive . . because you need to be clinically examined and a biopsy taken . . but at this stage you cannot rule out metastatic cancer.

As for being young . . I know how difficult this is . . my son was 17 years old at diagnosis.

The good part of all this is that you are being seen by a doctor and can immediately start treatment if needed. Call your doctor back as soon as possible and discuss the lump in breast, he will want to know . . hopefully it will turn out to be nothing and your colonoscopy will come back benign disease.

Stay strong. I know how scared you are . . you are on alert now and that is all you can do until you hear the results. We go through the same terror every time our son has a CT (which is approximately once a month).

Good luck, sweetie.

Answer 3

I've heard cancer is a systemic problem, not typically a localized one. Your immune system is likely having a hard time getting rid of the cancer, and you can do something about that. Basically, my understanding is that tumors start to form if your immune system can't get rid of them, and if it's overwhelmed with too many the cancer starts spreading out of control unless you give you body the fuel to work. See http://www.hacres.com and Dr. Lorraine Day's video "Drugs Never Cure Disease." They both call it God's way because of the natural approach that consists of:

1) 75-90% raw diet, fresh juices a large part of that for extra nutrion, needs to be vegetarian to do any good
2) Water (10 glasses a day)
3) Exercise.
4) Sunshine.
5) Eliminating waste (at least 2 BMs a day), organic coffee enemas can help cleanse and remove toxins
6) Fresh air/oxygen
7) Getting rid of toxins (flouride, drugs, caffeine, olestra/oleine, msg, saccharin) in your diet, elimination of smoking, any refined products (sugar and flour are big ones)
8) Sleep.
9) Removing stress. Right, you have to quit your job to properly heal.
10) No traveling.
11) Conviction to stay on the plan.
12) Stay positive. No TV, newspaper - they're negative. No more research on this stressful site. Pick your plan and do it 100%.
13) Admit you caused the disease, now do something about it.
14) Spend time with the Lord. Approach this with a clean heart, you can't have sin in your life and succeed. Your releationship with God will grow as a result of your sickness.

Dr. Lorraine Day says cancer is the best thing that ever happened to her. She got her life right and is much healthier now.

Answer 4

The chances of having two completely unrelated cancers are so close to nil...usually they are related somehow if it occurs (or the person was exposed to toxic chemicals, like in the war). I would have the lump checked out at a gyn...chances are that it is a clogged duct, a fibroid cyst, or something that is benign. Lumps in the breast, especially those that are quick onset, are usually something not worrisome. But, ease your mind and get checked, just in case. And wait out those results of the other...you never know, this could be a scare on both ends, maybe telling you to start living life to the fullest!

Answer 5

As an ex-nurse you should know there are primary and secondary cancers.
There are also blocked ducts and generalised cysts in our breasts from time to time that are completely harmless.
Tell your GP your worries and ask to be referred for counselling. Even if it turns out to be nothing you have had a nasty shock and talking it through will help you feel more normal again. Good luck.

Answer 6

Try not to question your mortality, you haven't even been diagnosed yet. I found a head in the sand attitude was best after I had been to the medical profession and prior to getting results.

I did, in fact, have breast cancer but am now well into the five year remission period. Good luck. All may yet be well.

Answer 7

Multiple cancer sites are actually quite common.

My Mum had breast cancer 12 years ago and has been clear until recently. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with liver cancer 5 months ago and then with bone cancer 4 weeks ago.

Answer 8

It seems the chances of 2 separate cancers happening is becoming more common, it has just happened to my son, familial polyposis and testicular.

Answer 9

yes it is possible, it happened to my husband. He had prostate cancer, and then 5 years later developed liver cancer which was small cell the other was non- small cell. But you need to ask the doctor. dont be afraid to press him to find out! Its your life and its his/her job.

Answer 10

Hard but wait until you have a confirmed diagnosis on both tests.

It is unlikely the two are connected but even if they are they are both treatable.

Good luck