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Cancer treatment can often put patients at higher risk of getting an infection. In light of this and given recent focus on the COVID-19 virus, also known as coronavirus, the Irish Cancer Society wishes to advise anyone impacted by cancer about the steps they can take to reduce their risk of catching the virus, and how best to deal with infections in the event that cases are reported in this country. The Irish Cancer Society is recommending that patients who are currently undergoing or have recently received treatment for cancer, as well as their friends and family members, should be particularly mindful of the risks and consequences associated with COVID-19. Read more

So I bumped my breast on the top of a hard chair about 6 weeks ago, it def hurt at the time but I soon forgot about it. About a week later I got a really sharp pain at the site and when I put my hand to it I could feel a swelling, on further investigation I could feel a sort of long ropey lump. Went to gp and she advised wait til after period to see if it went away. Didn’t go away so I was referred to Breast clinic although gp said it was prob nothing and didn’t refer me as urgent, I didn’t want to wait so I decided to pay privately and was seen within a week. Anyway, consultant examined me, said that i had similar lumpiness in other breast just not as prominent, but would send me for mammogram and ultrasound. I have very dense breast’s so when she did ultrasound she said that although the lump looked cystic it wasn’t clear so she wanted to do a biopsy, she also mentioned haematoma? Well I was not expecting this and got very upset, when I went back in to the consultant there was a cancer nurse there and he said that I would have to wait for the results to be sure, but he did clearly say that it might still be all clear and that she had scanned my lymph nodes and they were clear which is a good sign? Sorry for the long post, just wondering if anyone has been through the same or if this sounds good or bad.

I have pain in my lower breast and arm, below armpit. I cant feel a lump. Could this be random or should I go to gp?

Hi All My name is Monica, and my husband has just been diagnosed with lymphoma of the skin. We have yet to be told what stage, but we know it is a very rare cancer and that success rates can be very good if caught in the early stages. It can often be misdiagnosed as Psoriasis, and sadly, for the last four years, that is what has happened to my husband since the lesions first appeared. I am so scared for him but trying to keep up a brave face. Was wondering if anyone in the online community had any advice or experience of this type of diagnosis Thanks so much Monica

Hi, recent diagnosis of vulvar cancer. Heading for surgery in March. It’s been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. I know it’s not a common cancer so I wonder has anyone any experiences to share:)

Hi There, my Mum has a mass in her stomach, they did a biopsy and I have been called into hospital tomorrow for the preliminary results. I'm just wondering if they can tell if it is cancer from the preliminary results and if so, what questions should I be asking? I want to have as many questions written down before I go in. Many Thanks

I have pain in my lower breast and arm, below armpit. I cant feel a lump. Could this be random or should I go to gp?

My mother was diagnosed last Thursday with Bile Duct cancer which has spread to her liver. The diagnosis took two weeks and now we're waiting to hear from the oncologist in the Mater hospital for her first appointment. I suppose it was naive of me to think if somebody was diagnosed with cancer then the next step would come quite quickly, does anybody know how long it usually takes before you see the oncologist? From what we gathered in the Liver clinic the cancer in inoperable and next step will be chemo but we haven't been given much information. She's had a stent put into her bile duct to clear the jaundice over two weeks ago but since last week she's been getting weaker and weaker, sleeping a lot and not eating. I came home from work this evening and she's gone yellow again. I'm unsure what I should do next, is waiting for a week to hear back after diagnosis pretty standard? Should I be calling the hospital to let them know her symptoms? I'm in limbo right now and unsure of what the next step should be. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. Apologies for the rambling, I'm still a bit all over the place with this.

hi My husband, in the past two weeks, has been told he needs open heart surgery to replace a valve in his heart and has also been told that he has metastatic cancer, originally in his prostate four years ago and now in his pelvic bone region. Both conditions have me seriously worried and concerned and we still don't know which will take precedence i.e. open heart surgery or chemotherapy. He is currently taking hormone tablets with a view to getting hormone injections starting within the next week or two. Anyway, I am scared and feeling very alone, as apart from my two sons in their early twenties I have only a handful of friends and no other family. Not sure what I am asking for but would like to know and feel that I am not alone. Thanks.

Hi, I was diagnosed a long time back with head and neck cancer and it has metastized, however, it was not squamous cell carcinoma but clear cell carcinoma. My understanding is that this cancer type, rare as it is, is more commonly found in the kidney. I constantly review different treatment options out there but thus far nothing has worked for me. Latest update I have found is that a combination of Nivolumab (Opdivo®) with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) seems to have best response for RCC. (Renal Cell Carcinoma) My query is this, looking at the HSE approved list of drugs, this combination is approved for use in patients with Renal cell carcinoma, and it's also approved for head and neck patients with squamous cell carcinoma So, my head and neck is not squamous cell carcinoma, so I guess that rules me out on that basis, and even though my cancer is more associated with RCC, I am also ruled out of this combination treatment because my cancer is head and neck even though it's more commonly part of RCC. Can someone please advise what are my options here and if I have this right. I have tried taxol and platin, that combination didn't do anything, also tried sunitinib, which also did nothing, I am now on Xeloda. Should this latest treatment not do anything then I want to raise the possibility of Nivolumab (Opdivo®) in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) with my consultant, but want to know if it's reimbursable for my particular case. Would appreciate any help from anyone out there who might know more on this subject.