HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis

AlaskaAngel · 02-26-2011, 10:28 AM

I am in full agreement with DLaxague about this. I too happen to not be located near a cancer center. For other reasons I received a delayed diagnosis. My PCPs were asleep at the wheel -- too many substituting physicians, and a hospital that did a poor job of checking out the background and experience of a "breast cancer specialist" surgeon... and, a patient who was not persistent enough about the need to question doctors and the system.

The mistake we make is in not listening to our own sense of the problem enough to seek out second and even third opinions, including one from a known center that specializes in detection.

Delayed diagnosis is hard to live with mentally no matter what the outcome, and much harder still for those with a cancer that has spread.

AlaskaAngel

02-26-2011, 10:28 AM	#8
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Second (and third) opinions I am in full agreement with DLaxague about this. I too happen to not be located near a cancer center. For other reasons I received a delayed diagnosis. My PCPs were asleep at the wheel -- too many substituting physicians, and a hospital that did a poor job of checking out the background and experience of a "breast cancer specialist" surgeon... and, a patient who was not persistent enough about the need to question doctors and the system. The mistake we make is in not listening to our own sense of the problem enough to seek out second and even third opinions, including one from a known center that specializes in detection. Delayed diagnosis is hard to live with mentally no matter what the outcome, and much harder still for those with a cancer that has spread. AlaskaAngel __________________ Dx 2002 age 51 bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother. ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3 IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3 Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen Rads necrosis BRCA 1 & 2 negative Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3 Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI NED