how old

[eleanor]

Ladies,
we have occasionally shouted at a curiousity question, so here's mine.
How old were you when first dx and how old when the mets were dx. The reason for asking is I have been informally asking women in their 60's & 70's how common B/C was when they were in their 30's & 40's compared to how common it is now. Better diagnosing or perhaps environmental??????? Between industrial pollution and hormones/antibiotics in farm animals,,,,,,you just gotta wonder if we are not the first generation to be battling something that is completely out of our control?
Not meant to be a political discussion, just more of a random thought.
el
s

[Jackie]

Hi El,
Original dx at 53, recurrence at 55. I am absolutely convinced that environment and diet are primary culprits for BC. Investigated macrobiotics last yr, which notes that 3rd world countries and countries prior to "westernization" (i.e. Japan before WWII) have much lower rates of cancer in general and BC specifically. It's pretty sad, isn't it, that prosperity has to have a detrimental effect on our health!
Take care,
Jackie

[Staci]

Original dx at age 31 ER-/PR- and HER2-. Liver mets at age 33. I just turned 34 in Nov. and plan to be around for many more birthdays!

[Kathy from Ohio]

I was 40 when first dx--recurrance at age 58--last year.

[Sheila]

I was diagnosed 2/2002 Invasive Ductal 0.7cm tumor (found on a mammogram). ER-,PR-, Her2 3+, 0/15 Lymph nodes malignant. Mets to Lymph nodes were found 9/03 while going through reconstruction for L mastectomy ( supraclavicular nodes and axillary nodes...guess they missed some on original surgery!) On Herceptin q 3wks ever since...so far so good, new scans next month to check status! Not exactly the gift I wanted for turning 50!!!! I do now look at it as a gift, as I has re-assesed my priorities in life, and I do take time to smell the roses along the way!

[Lolly]

Dx. 9-09-99 at age 45, turned 46 just before starting chemo. Recurrence 01-10-01 at age 47. Now 50! Yeah!!!
Lolly

[Cindi]

Age 42 at diagnosis in 4/2002. Stage 2A, ER-/PR-, Her3+++, weekly doses of Herception from 11/02-11/03 for clinical trial. Will be 44 in July. In April will be 2 years as a survivor.

[Angela]

Age 39, dx in may 2003 with ductal bc ER+1, PR+1, HER2+3. No nodes. I'm still 39, will be 40 in April. Did 4 rounds of A/C. Now on Femara. So far no reoccurrence. As I read the responses to this I am supprised (scared) to see some other had no node involvement but now have mets.

Hugs and Smiles,
Angela

[Cindi]

Oh, and I had 1 node postive out of 11. Of course the sentinal node procedure didn't work, so they took all 11 nodes.

[Lisa]

First diax at 41. Had lumpectomy, 21 lymph nodes removed (all neg.), 6 months of chemo A/C/Taxol, then mastectomy (just in case). Took Tamoxifen, then Arimidex for 1 1/2 years (ER pos). All checkups were great, then diax with mets to liver and bones at 45 (now ER neg, Her2+++). Surprise, surprise.

I too am certain that with more and more young diax, we are killing ourselves with pollution and hormones/steroids/plant sprays.

[donna]

44 going on 45 2/19 this year. Diagnosed November, 2003, stage iv.

[Tanya]

Dx in Aug 2003 at age 38, ER-/PR-; Grade III, Her2+, dx straight to stage IV b/c of mets to lymph

Definetely think environment and diet contribute to this -- top research honors to scientist who can document

[Dolores from Texas]

I was diagnosed in May of 2001 at age 58 with invasive ductal carcinoma, er-pr- and her2 pos with 3.0+.

I had 5 out of 10 lymph nodes positive, had 4 rounds of adriamyacin with cytoxin and 4 rounds of taxol 30 doses of radiation, masectomy, 1 year of once a week herceptin and once every 3 weeks for 9 months after that.

It will be 3 years this May with no recurrence. I will be 62 in August and have learned to appreciate life and take one day at a time.

Love & Hugs to all

[lolam]

the only thing I can conclude is that the elderly ladies by and large do not use the computer but the younger women do....Canceris an old age disease...I think that the statistics for younger girls with BC is way less(does someone know the median age?).. But you wouldn't think so from this board.. I still think it is way more common with ladies in their late 50's and 60's.. When I hear of you younger girls getting it it breaks my heart because you are raising little ones and they need you now..You are just beginning your lives... I am 58 and have grown children.. Yes I do want to be here to watch my grands grow up, they are a delight to me.. But I do not feel this heavy responsibility to be here to raise them. My hubby and I have been married 34 years, wonderful years... But some of you have just begun.. It seems too unfair to see your lives cut short...Yet I know that God has a plan and purpose quite unique for all of us..So we leave these issues in His hands.. I hope that this would be the last generation that has to deal with this dread...a cure must be on the horizon now and we will fight to stay around until it hits the market!! God bless the researchers who use their wonderful skill to find the way for us to survive.. Herceptin is just the beginning.... God bless, Lola

[Brian]

My wife was first diagnosed at age 41 (December, 1991)with invasive interductile carcinoma, 4 positive nodes. 6 courses CAF, 36 radiation treatements, lumpectomy, 5 years of tamoxifin. Recurrance May, 2002, 7cm lung tumor, 3 mets in liver. 6 mths taxotere and navilbene. New resistant tumor found in liver. Herceptin/Gemzar March, 2003-Aug., 2003. Herceptin weekly ever since. Currently, NED.

[Ron]

My wife Cyndi, was first dx May 19, 1999 at age 51. Barely stage I, tiny tumor, lumpectomy with clear margins, zero lymph nodes. Four rounds of A/C 30 rads, Supposed to be cancer free. Had a few body scans early-on kept all appointments with onc. Most exams consisted only breast exams two mammograms per year. "Just doin' great."

July 2003 age 55, during routine chest x-ray for unrelated neck surgery spots on both lungs. Scan shows 6 to 8 three quarter inch nodules in each lung, numerous smaller nodes. Suddenly we know about stage IV! Four one third doses of Taxotere plus Herceptin reduced nodules to half size and "less defined" whatever that means.

December Cyndi turned toxic to Taxotere and Herceptin and was moved to Taxol alone. Will try Herceptin again when she stabilizes. Meanwhile I am trying to get Abraxane off trial for her. I believe this could be the best thing since Herceptin!

In 1999 we were not even aware of a drug called Herceptin, and did not realize the potential for metastasis!

ron

[janelle]

Original dx 1996, at age of 46.... mets to liver and lungs 2003, at age of 53

[vicki]

50 at diagnosis and now 16 months down the track, no recurrence. What impresses me is the wide range of times to recurrence, from way too short to very long. There must be many missing factors and much to learn yet.

[Sandy]

Dx. at 54 with IBC stage 111b Her2 positive, ER/PR neg. No way of knowing if I have ever been NED. My last bone and cat scan was still clean but have skin mets. I have just turned 57 and celebrated it with Taxol, Carbo and Herceptin and cake in oncology and pizza at home Jan 30th!! Hugs to you all. Sandy

[Kim in CA]

First diagnosed at age 42,Feb 1997 with 4cm invasive ductal carcinoma. Had mastectomy, followed by 3 rounds of AC, then stem cell transplant, then rads. ER less than 10% + and PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes pos. Sept. 2001, age 46, diagnosed with mets to liver. Had Taxotere and Herceptin for 8 months, then just Herceptin and Femara. Nov. 2002, had liver resection to address spots on liver that turned out to be just scar tissue. NED for 8 months, then markers back up so on to Xeloda. Had to stop Xeloda after 9 days due to extreme low blood counts and infection, but at least my markers came back down. Have been watching things closely and praying alot!

[JoJo]

dx at 35 last May 2003,
stage 3b, her3+, ER+/PR-, nodes+,
chemo from June to Oct 2003,
mastectomy Nov 2003,
radiation Dec '03 to Jan '04,
hormone therapy indefinitely (5 to 10 yrs)
no reuccurance so far.
turns 36 Feb 2004.

[jeff]

Though I would add that I've read in a few places that her2+ disease is particularly prevalent in younger women...

All the best,
Jeff

[Cindi]

Lola,

Thank you for your sentiments. I have so often wished that this disease would have hit after my children were grown. But, for some reason that was not God's plan. I pray every day to make it at least 9 more years. My youngest would be 18. Still too young to lose their Mother, but at least not just 9 years old. I am very hopeful that this will happen. I also pray that Herceptin will work for me and make a difference. I would really love to be around to have a really BIG party after my 15th year being followed on the clinical trial. I am currently reading a new book on HOPE, my favorite word. It is called "The Anatomy of Hope". I highly recommend it. It was written my an oncologist, Jerome Groopman. God Bless You and all of us fighting this disease.

[Marsha B]

I was 40 when i was Diagnosed with ivfirlating ductal carcinoma Stage 3C, had mastectomy 17 postive nodes. Was told i had less then a year to live. That was seven years ago. I am ER+ & HER2+
I know have liver mets and am doing monthly Herceptin.I am praying for all of us!
go well,
Marsha B in the cold snowie MN
mpbrekke@vaderandlandgraf.com

[Kathy from Ohio]

Cindi, do have hope--I was 40 when first dx. with young children and never expected to go 18 years--12 of 24 nodes were positive. It was my most sincere desire to be here for my children and I have been. I am now welcoming grandchildren--a recurrance last year which is responding well to Herceptin and Arimidex. Be encouraged!

[Linda in MI.]

37 when diag. stage IIIB, 39 at recurrence

[Hillarie]

Elenor wrote:
Ladies,
we have occasionally shouted at a curiousity question, so here's mine.
How old were you when first dx and how old when the mets were dx. The reason for asking is I have been informally asking women in their 60's & 70's how common B/C was when they were in their 30's & 40's compared to how common it is now. Better diagnosing or perhaps environmental??????? Between industrial pollution and hormones/antibiotics in farm animals,,,,,,you just gotta wonder if we are not the first generation to be battling something that is completely out of our control?
Not meant to be a political discussion, just more of a random thought.
el
s


I was dianosed at 38 with stage 4 b/c with mets on liver. Will be 40 in July and have been on two different chemo treatments over the last 10 months. I believe that this has become a young persons disease and definately think it's environmental. I have gone completely organic cutting out all hormones and pesticides. But it's more that that - pollution, COMPUTER's (emissions) what ever it my be it's out of control.

[Dot]

Angela,

I was feeling afraid too when I started reading these messages. Find the positive and grab onto it. I am 58. My tumor was 5cm and no nodes out of 21. Receptors pos. had 4 of a/c, 33 rad. and am on tamoxifin now (2 mos). We will be fine and the others with mets just have to hang on a little longer and most seems to be hanging on very well for a very long time. In the not too distant future cancer will be managed like AIDS. Remember how scary that was? There is only good news! I work at NIH and cancer research is at a feverish pitch! May God bless all of you and give you His peace.