My aunt's de novo stage 4 breast cancer

[Uniquem]

Hello, ladies,

Last month my aunt went for her annual mammogram and her doctor found a small lump in one of her breasts. He then sent her for a PET scan and we were terribly surprised by the results - 4 lumps in the breast, metastases in the lungs, multiple metastases in the bones.

She'd been having back pain for 1-2 years but thought it was something else because she went for regular checkups and everything was OK.

Her biopsy results are: PR +, ER +, HER negative, which I believe is called luminal A type of breast cancer. Her oncologist has made a plan for a combination of hormone, targeted and radiation therapy. And also a forced menopause (because she's only 45) and removal of both her ovaries.

I know there are many treatment options nowadays and we're very hopeful. Still, we're not familiar with this type of cancer (my mother had ovarian cancer), so I'd be very grateful to hear some positive stories/examples from you.

Warmest regards,

Milena

[kearnan]

I have the same type PR +, ER +, HER negative. Mine was in my lungs, then my spine and now my liver. I was on 2 50 mg. of Verzenio and falsodex injections (one in each butt muscle) for a bit over three years. I did not get radiation until it was in my spine bc it was too close to the spinal cord and that when I had cancer for almost two years then. Now, I am on tamoxifen and afinitor. I was 57 when diagnosed and I am now 62. I am in NYC, US.

[JKMS]

Hi there - I was diagnosed in August 2020, confirmed de novo in October 2020 (mets to mediastinum in my chest) and about a year in I was no evidence of active disease. Just had my three month scan results on Monday I remain that way thankfully! So far I have had no symptoms other than thinning hair. And I have had quite a few operations for diagnostic purposes and to remove my ovaries (not to the site of the primary tumour) but aside from that all good and I am probably fitter and healthier than I have been in 15 years! I broadly follow a vegan keto diet and take quite a few supplements which I believe have assisted not necessarily in declaring me NEAD but in supporting my overall health and toleration to the meds. Of course none of us would ever have chosen this path and I can’t say it gets easier but it gets easier to accept this new life as normal!

It’s fantastic to hear that you are hopeful - as you should be - and my best wishes to your Aunt.

[NShaft]

Hopefully her onc will suggest one of the genetics tests for the BRACA gene or other mutations. That can also help guide treatment. I was dx de novo 4 yrs ago and have done well on Ibrance, Letrozole, and Xgeva. There are many treatment options for BC. Don't hesitate to get a 2and opinion. I have read on this forum of several ladies who have done this and their doctors work together which gives double the expertise.

[Adele_Julia]

Wonderful news ! Are you still on medication tho NED !!

[8576]

Second opinions are worth their weight in gold as they say. And your oncologist should be willing to work with the second opinion. They usually send a report of their findiings. unless you specifically ask them not to do this. Make sure your second opinion doctor is better trained or longer in Cancer than the current one.

Cheers, June S.

[Uniquem]

Thank you so much for your replies. God bless you all!