Ovarian Cancer and maybe Breast Cancer Too!

[Diane B]

Hello All,

I have a questions has anyone ever had a lump in there breast that was cancer and not had it removed because you were already being treated for ovarian cancer? The Oncologist doesn't know if the lump is part of the ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Thanks for you input. Diane  

[Helmar]

Hi Diane.. Have you had a Mammogram done recently? If not, maybe that could clear up your worries. Also have you any history of either cancer in your family? If so, maybe a test could be done to determine if you are carrying the BRCA gene. My friend has Ovca, but she also has an 80% chance of getting breast cancer because she carries the genes for it. There's every possibility that it's nothing to worry about, as I had a lump in my left breast about 4 years ago, and it just went away. My Doctor said it was some type of cyst, but it disappeared,never to be seen again. Have that lump checked out though, just to put your mind at ease..... and try not to stress about it in the meantime.
Wishing you all the best....hugs...Helen..

[dian07]

In just the last couple of days I have read numerous articles regarding the usage of an MRI in detecting breast cancer in the second breast.....well, if I was doing chemo for ovarian cancer and somebody found a lump in my breast and didn't know 100% what it was I would insist on an MRI of the breast.....I have absolutely no doubt about that....and I wouldn't wait for them to suggest or offer it !  Be aggressive here....take control....this is your life.  PLease do keep us posted.
Peace.
dian

[Diane B]

Thanks for your respond but I did have a mammogram and ultra sound and biopsy done and the lump is cancer, they just don't know if it is breast cancer or ovarian cancer that spread to my breast.  I am going to get another option from my onc/gym and the guy at Fox Chase.  But my oncologist said she wouldn't remove it.  I did have the gene testing done and I don't have either brca 1 or brca 2 gene.  When that came back they said I was going against the odds.  But both my parents died of cancer and my grandmother and great grandmother two had breast cancer in there day.  But my grandmother lived to 88 years old and my great grandmother live to 93 years old.  My patient died younger, my Mother was 60 and Father was 73.  So far I am the only one in my family with cancer.  I have two sister and a brother who are find and I hope they stay healthy because every time I think things are going very well I get shot down again.  You ladies know I am sure you all have gone through the ups and downs.  I started this battle at the age of 43 and I am 47 now.  I would appreciate any information you may have about removing the lump or just leaving in and staying on chemo.  My thoughts and pray are with you all.  Diane

[SimplyStar]

Just read an artical yesterday about this, it said that women with OVCA are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer and that the differential must be made whether it is a primary breast or a met from the OVCA.  Meaning of course 2 different cancers.  If you don't have it removed then what happens?  Do they think the chemo will take care of both? They should have been able to tell in the biopsy wheter it was a primary of not.  My prayers are with you hun.

[Helmar]

Hi Again Diane...I'm so sorry to hear that it's a cancerous lump, and I don't know what to say with regards on how it should be treated. I guess it depends on how big the lump is, and if it can be zapped with chemo. This lousy cancer doesn't care who it attacks. There is absolutely no cancer in my family at all... I am 'first cab on the rank'...so it makes one wonder, and so I worry for my daughter. Maybe a second... or even third..opinion couldn't harm...just to get other ideas on how to go about treating the breast cancer.
This is one horrible disease and my heart goes out to you, and the other girls on here fighting this horrible beast. We can only hope for some newer and better treatments to come along soon.
Warm hugs...Helen..

[rmarie]

Have they biopsied the lump yet?  It is possible that it is a cyst, we do get lucky once in awhile.  There is a genetic mutation for ovarian and breast cancer, did you get tested for it?  I would if it were me.  This disease really stinks.  Good luck, if I were you I would push to know which it was, breast cancer, if it is primary, may require a different chemo.  Get a second opinion.

[freshair]

So so sorry to hear this. My sister had breast and I had ovarian. They are so closely related (hormonal). I had a breast biopsy done after brain surgery and the pathology report said ovarian. So you should have a pathology report and that will tell you. Then you'll know how to proceed. It was in my lymph node in my breast. Carboplatin/Taxol took care of it. I was not resistant to Carbo at that time (2 years ago). I get cat scans now of the chest also when doing abdominal/pelvic. So I do not do mamograms anymore. At this point, my brain is more important than my breasts, ha, ha :)

Good luck Diane, and yes get that pathology report.
Helen

[Diane B]

Thank you so much for all your help and information.  My thought and prayers are with all of you.  Diane