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My father is stage 4 Prostate cancer but doing very well on hormone treatment. However he as at least one bout of diarrhoea a day - fi you know what is causing this and do you have any suggestions for what he might do to alleviate it. Thank you for your time, Jean

I am due to have a mastectomy next week, and have been given the option of a DIEP bipedicle flap reconstruction. I ride horses for my sport and hobby and it is an important part of my life. I have been advised by the plastic surgeon that my stomach muscles will be weakened by the surgery as they cut through them to perform this surgery. My concern is whether I will be strong enough to continue riding after the surgery. If I can ride, even after several months off, then this is ok. It's the long term that i'm concerned about. Unfortunately the surgeon cannot advise on this, so I was hoping that someone on this group may have had the same procedure done & that they can let me know how they are physically since. Thank you, Olivia

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing ok. I had a lumpectomy in November. Everything went well and I am progressing through treatment. Just completed 20 sessions of radiotherapy. My main problem is infections in the breast! Had a bad infection over Christmas - 6 weeks after surgery. Second infection in February during radiotherapy! And now into my third infection. Strong antibiotics each time! Finding recovery very difficult with all these infections! And I’m wondering how many more I’ll encounter! Has anyone else experience of post-op infections please? Thanks for any info.

I successfully finished treatment for Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma in December 2020. Not long after my treatment began I noticed a decline in my cognitive ability. To this day I still have issues with fatigue, memory loss, inability to focus for long periods of time, executive dysfunction and heightened anxiety. This is life altering for me and impacts on every aspect of my life, but no one seems to be taking it seriously. I was told it would improve a few months after I finished chemo. It has not really improved at all beyond my energy levels improving a bit. There seem to be no resources available and very little research done. I found one study from 2020 in relation to this and the results indicated that up to a third of HL Survivors deal with long term cognitive issues after treatment. As this is a cancer that effects a lot of young people the effects over a lifetime can be extreme. Why is no one talking about this? I read another study about the impact of reduced estrogen on dopamine levels in the brain as well. It indicated that a reduction in estrogen for more than 10 days can permanently impact our ability to produce and regulate dopamine...which directly impacts executive function, memory, focus etc. Why is this not being discussed with female patients? Someone telling me to use a planner/diary, write stuff down and that I just have to make myself do things is unhelpful. It is insulting! This goes far beyond what such unhelpful advice can remedy. I have mentioned my problems to my oncologist at every single follow up appointment and there is no help being offered to me? Have ADHD drugs ever been used to help people in this country with long term chemo brain? I read a study from the US where they had some success with this. Why is this not being adopted here? Why is this crippling side effect being dismissed as not important. It has ruined my life. Has anyone had any success with getting help for this?

Hi I am just wondering ,I have done 5/6 chemos (wasn’t given last as side effects were too much) had my first herceptin injection on Tuesday ,which was day after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy . My question is can herceptin cause oral thrush? I suffered dreadfully with it during chemo and have it again now . Any advise greatly appreciated .

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has bought or had a bracelet made up to alert medical teams. I would like to get something as following node removal, my right arm is now compromised and should never be used for blood pressure or for taking bloods etc...Thanks

Hi I am a 27 year old woman. I recently found thickening on the top of my breast a few really hard tiny bumps near my arm pit swollen collar bone blue vein sticking out around nipple dip/flattening near armpit which seems more pronounced then the other side I had a small lump on the same side 4 years ago but no mammogram was done all symptoms are on the same side I have absolutely no pain or discharge My grandmother and her grand mother had breast cancer so somewhat of a family history, I went to my GP 15 days ago and they referred me to the Mater breast clinic as urgent. I know pre Covid urgent cases will be seen within two weeks and now it 4-6 . I literally feel like my world has been turned upside down. the feelings I have are totally debilitating. Does anyone know if my age will have an impact on the waiting time for me? I already am finding it extremely hard to cope with the fact it may be a 4-6 week wait. I am trying to convince myself it's nothing serious but with my collection of symptoms I just have a gut feeling. I just feel so overwhelmed right now - whatever it is could be getting worse and I am doing nothing about it.

Hello I was diagnosed before Xmas with papillary thyroid cancer I had the lump removed which was 5.8 cm and left lobe after biopsy came back as papillary cancer . I had the rest of my thyroid removed last Thursday the 3rd March that has now gone for biopsy. I am just wondering can this biopsy come back as a different cancer ? I am very confused with it all and have to wait 2 wks for results. I’m 40 yrs of age and have young kids so I’m stressing over this . I have been told I will prob need rai therapy but have to wait on these results . Any information will be great full . Regards Sonya .

Hi, I had my lumpectomy 4 weeks ago and still haven't heard from oncology. I asked the breast nurse about it, she said they'll be in touch soon. Is that normal? The waiting is driving me crazy, I just want to start treatment.

I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I have to have a mastectomy, I am thinking of having reconstruction on the same day. Has anyone done this? What was your experience?