Breast Cancer

[orbsycli]

My friend's 19 and she's in the hospital right now getting a cancerous growth removed from her breasts.

What's going to happen to her? Since they caught it at this stage, she has a chance to fully recover, right?

Cancer ate away my best friend kevin when he was in third grade!
It's a menacing and effective way to control the population,
but I want to know some information on...i don't know... surgery success rates or something?

[orbsycli]

basically, should I be worried about her?
'cause I am.

[Buffy]

It should always be taken seriously. Its good to be concerned and your friend will appreciate any support you can give. You know *nothing* until the biopsy comes back, and age has nothing to do with being caught "early". Many, many biopsies find that it is not a malignant growth. If a malignant tumor *is* caught early, we're getting much better at treating it, but it is something you need to continue to worry about. My mom had breast cancer, but that was now 30 years ago, and she's had no relapses so far (knocks wood).

Its *scary*. Any support you provide will be a big help, so do it.

Cheers,
Buffy

[InfiniteNow]

Cancer = not fun, but a part of life. The earlier they catch it, the better. The more completely it's removed, the better. The more support your friend has, the better. I used to work with the American Cancer Society, and they are pretty informative. Check out their site, or call a cancer information specialist with any specific questions (just ask not to share your contact info or you'll receive bunches of donation requests).

800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org

Breast cancer specific: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.asp


Best wishes to your friend, bro.

[Celeste]

Sorry to hear this orbsycli. The Big C is always scary no matter the age.

At 23, I was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ. I had the tumor removed and haven't relapsed yet. The prognosis usually depends on the stage and form of cancer.
You didn't say what stage she was in...but for many, in the early stages, the prognosis is pretty damn good. She will however have to follow up with mammograms every 6 months to a year, for the rest of her life and be vigilant in her breast exams.

Hang in there. I know everyone here including myself will be thinking of you and her and sending our best.