I am now 18 months post left lower lobe removed. I have two suspicious nodules in the right lung. At my last appointment my consultant said a new shadow has appeared on my right lower lobe. It’s small. He is leaving me six months now as had a lot of ct scans. The other day I found a lump in my left breast. It’s probably nothing and I don’t want to bother anyone with the lockdown going on. My concern is that the large amount of scans may have caused breast cancer? Can this happen? Or am I worrying for nothing. I asked my lung cancer consultant if anything shows up in breasts on the scan for lungs he said only if really obvious. Should I wait until September or see GP?
I would definitely contact your GP and ask to be referred for a mammogram or even contact your Oncologist to arrange this so that you get treatment fast if needed or, have your mind put at rest that all is ok.
I had my lung surgeries in 2018 lobectomy right middle and left upper and on my last scan in February they picked up a small primary breast cancer. I am having a lumpectomy tomorrow.
I don’t know if the number of scans we have can cause new cancers, or whether it’s just bad luck. I have heard that radiotherapy treatments for breast cancers can cause lung cancer but haven’t seen anything suggesting scans can cause breast cancers in lung cancer patients.
I really appreciate you reply. I think you told me what I really already know but I don’t want to worry my hubby. He is not working because of lockdown so I can’t go and get checked without telling him. As you know so well it’s the thought of going down the cancer route again. 😔
The CT should not cause a breast cancer. This article from Scientific American explains that a CT raises the lifetime risk of any person getting a cancer from 20% to 20.05%.
Do go and see your GP about the lump, many GP's they are doing telephone consultations but they will still give you an appointment as they will want to examine you. People are being urged to attend the doctor if they have any new symptom or lumps, it may be nothing serious but would still be advisable to have this checked.
It is understandable you do not want to worry your husband, however he would perhaps be more annoyed that you did not go at the time when you found the lump. It could be a huge stress for you waiting and not knowing until September.
For anyone that has had cancer, any new symptom can fill you with anxiety and dread of the whole process again, but to give yourself peace of mind, please get this checked and hopefully it will not be what you think it is.
If it is cancer then early detection is always best in treatment choice and outcomes.
This link from the NHS provides some information on CT scans and cancer risk, as the article states the studies that have been done on this were based in America, where they perform many more CT scans than we do here in the UK, therefore the risk here would be very small. Doctors make a clinical decision and ensure it is required for the person to receive a CT scan in order to attain or assist with a diagnosis.
So natural to be scared and am pleased you have contacted the doctor, let us know how you go. Part of fear is the unknown, so it is a start that you have made in addressing this and easing your mind.
Your comment about not wanting to be a nuisance and not wanting to concern your husband whilst natural could actually make things worse in the long run if it turned out to be anything serious. despite the lockdown GPs are still instructed to refer patients using the 2 week wait process if any cancer is suspected. as we all know the sooner any cancer is detected, the more treatment options are available so I'm pleased you've taken the plunge and called. Most GPs are very quick to refer people with lumps in the breast - it's usually lung cancer patients who are sent around the houses, prescribed antibiotics, inhalers and steroids etc before cancer is suspected but this prompt action is one reason why the UK is equal to other countries in treatment and response rates for breast cancer. I'll keep fingers crossed that it's not serious but well worth checking out given any cancer history. I attend lots of international conferences and research meetings about lung cancer and no, never heard anything about frequent CT scans causing breast cancer.... radiotherapy particularly years ago when given in much higher doses and particularly on the left side yes, but not as you describe. nowadays many CT scanners are able to lower the radiation dose anyway (so for the screening pilot projects, they are very low dose as in Europe) but as the UK uses a combination of chest x-rays and CT scans for lung cancer (and PET) these are always duly considered against any potential risk against the greater risk of not discovering what's wrong and not providing the correct treatment. good luck.
One question to ask your oncologist is whether there was any evidence or test done to see whether Her2 was present in your lung cancer. I believe it is there in 2-3% of adenocarcinomas in non smoking younger patients in small studies and has been identified as targetable for lung as well as breast cancers. It may not have been routinely tested for unless you're in the lung matrix trial (UK) but by suggesting it, it may plant an avenue to consider if they haven't already.
I am writing from a small town in Michigan, USA. I didn't realize this was a UK group when I joined but it has been helpful in my most fearful moments. I was diagnosed at age 63 with stage 1 adenocarcinoma of my right lung in spring of 2018 and had an upper lobectomy. I have had checkups every 6 months and so far no signs of further cancer. My older sister has been dealing with cancer in both lungs since 2016. I had been taking her to her treatments of chemo and radiation. She has been in remission since then but still smokes heavily. Actually I was the only child of 8 who never smoked. A few months after my surgery my younger brother was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer in his left lung at age 59. He had chemo and immuno therapy and is now in remission thankfully.
Our family had already lost our Mother to skin cancer in her eye which spread to her liver, a sister who died at 38 from melanoma, and a brother who died at 50 from multiple myeloma which he probably got from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
I wish you all the best for your visit tomorrow. There is always hope, especially these days with better treatments. God bless you. You will be in my thoughts!
Thank you so much. So sorry to hear all your troubles. Glad you are ok now. The hours are dragging but at least it’s tomorrow. Will let you know. Thank you for replying to me.
Given your familial history, would be worth having a medical/scientist/researcher look at the genomic characteristics of yours, your sisters and brother as there are a small number of lung cancer patients who do have some genetic tendency to it. Historically it was assumed that if members of the family smoked and non smoking members had been exposed to the carcinogens in tobacco smoking that this was the likely cause but more recent research has also revealed that even in smokers some of the types of lung cancer are not directly attributable to the smoking 'types'. thinking of you and your family and pleased that so many of them are currently in remission.
Hi everyone. All ok. Mammogram and ultrasound results all normal. Sigh with relief. Living with lung cancer and a chronic autoimmune disease is enough. So pleased. Thank you for all your advice.
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