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[color=#8000FF:3e1qfcfm]Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Just back from getting some new bras. Got my first ones from the surgeon, lovely white contraptions.....but wore them for quite a while as they were so comfortable and I was afraid I wouldnt find mastectomy bras as comfortable. I waited a year after surgery to get a 'proper' fitted bra and then they felt so good. Now, having lost a little weight, I went to get some new 'smaller' bras. Decided not to be sensible and didnt go for that good old 'nude' colour.........have to say feels great to have a black bra again , feels like forever since I wore one. And I feel great. So my advice is if your not sure about getting a mastectomy bra go in and try them on .......you won't know until you try and you might be surprised how good you might feel. [/color:3e1qfcfm]

because of weight loss had scan which showed no changed in my condiction . in my opionion my vegan diet caused the loss of weight. feel well.

There will be a National Neuroendocrine Tumour Patient Day, for patients and their families and open to all to attend, on Saturday, November 9th 2013 in the Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny. For further information see http://www.netpatientnetwork.ie or phone the [b:7qmhq4af]Irish Cancer Society's National Cancer Helpline[/b:7qmhq4af] on [b:7qmhq4af]Freefone 1800 200 700[/b:7qmhq4af].

For patients and families with Multiple Myeloma there is a great information day coming up on November 14th in the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth. All are welcome, please register with Mary Kelly on [b:jugu4v0c]086 7804007[/b:jugu4v0c] or email marybkelly2010@gmail.com. To get a copy of the day’s programme of events please call the [b:jugu4v0c]National Cancer Helpline[/b:jugu4v0c] on [b:jugu4v0c]Freefone 1800 200 700[/b:jugu4v0c] or email helpline@irishcancer.ie.

I've been reading the posts about Tamoxifen - thanks as always for your great insights. I've been on it since June and apart from hot flushes every night, haven't noticed any other major side effects....except in the past week I've suddenly developed this awful vaginal itch which is driving me crazy..... Has anybody had anything similar and if so what do you do to relieve it?? Thanks Liz

diagnosed late 2012.told no need for treatment yet. could be 10 years. on 2 tabs a day for blood pressure fatigue and overweight. went vegen. now on half tab 2 stone lighter and not tired. intend to drop to zero tabs.

A few weeks ago, I visited the local state fair with my husband, son, and extended family. It was a toasty day and we spent most of the time carrying my six-month-old son around in our arms with his head and arms exposed to the sun. At least four times I was approached by a concerned grandparent worried about my baby’s sun exposure. Both my grandfathers have had skin cancer-related lesions removed from their face and neck and their doctors have told them it’s all been due to their years of working out in the sun. I can certainly understand their concern with my son’s well-being and after a little prompting, I covered him up more effectively. I’d like him to have healthy skin no matter how long he lives. This risk of skin cancer is real and dangerous, but a new study has found that most doctors don’t even broach the subject of sunscreen and UV exposure during an average visit. The group was led by Dr. Kristie Akamine of Wake Forest School of Medicine and her study focused on data compiled from doctors’ offices between 1989 and 2010. [b:1ifpgik3]Sunscreen hardly ever mentioned[/b:1ifpgik3] In fact, just 0.07 percent of office visits contained mentions of sunscreen in patient conversations. If the visit was about a skin-related condition, the likelihood of sunscreen being mention raised very slightly—to 0.9 percent. The study was published in the journal JAMA Dermatology on Sept. 4. [b:1ifpgik3]Children least likely to hear about sunscreen[/b:1ifpgik3] Sunscreen was least likely to be mentioned in children’s visits. Akamine’s team explained, “[That finding] is concerning because children and adolescents get the most sun exposure of any age group, as they tend to spend much of their time playing outdoors. Up to 80 percent of sun damage is thought to occur before age 21,” they went on, “and sunburns in childhood greatly increase the risk for future melanoma.” [b:1ifpgik3]UVA and UVB known carcinogens [/b:1ifpgik3] Two experts not involved in the study said sunscreen ought to come up more often in office visits, though they admitted, “With the increasing numbers of topics primary-care physicians may have to cover during an average office visit, it’s not surprising that mentioning sunscreen application may fall to the bottom of the list.” However, that doesn’t mean it should be left out entirely. Despite the trend young people have of tanning to make themselves look more attractive, the sun they are exposing themselves to is actually harming them, as scientists have found that both UVA and UVB are carcinogenic compounds that can cause skin cancer and premature aging.

Hi there. Saw my plastic surgeon again this week. It appears I have not enough fat on my tummy for the DIEP flap recon I was looking for (He says it looks like a tummy because I have lazy muscles!!) So have agreed to have the (double) recon done with flaps from my thighs. Has anyone had this procedure? any helpful hints on what to expect as I prepare for it? Karen

ecancerpatient.org provides information for patients to use while discussing treatment options with their doctor. There are videos of cancer specialists talking about the most recent advances in care which are designed to empower patients to become more involved in vital treatment decisions. You can find ecancer also on Facebook (ecancerpatients) and Twitter (@ecancer_patient). I hope this advice will helpful for you.

Hi Ladies Had mastectomy last September right hand side and am due to have left mastectomy next month. Anyone in this situation not have Reconstruction done? Thanks Dane