Edwards cancer | Arthritis Information

I was saddened today when I learned that Mrs. Edwards' cancer had returned. It reminded me that I had missed my second mamogram in Feb...guess if nothing else it was a reminder.I wll call to reschedule tomorrow.

jode

yes it is very sad that it has returned. I hope this is a reminder for everyone to get theirs done. My great-aunt passed away from breast cancer 2 years ago this june. Since it is in my family am i to young to get them done? I always forget to ask my ob/gyn that question. Does anyone know?I'm only 36 and I've had one before.....but my ob also thought she felt something; but I'm sure if you told them you had a family history they'd send you for one.ill be sure to mention it next time im in there

Kelsaysmom,

It depends on who's side of the family, which relative, how old she was when they discovered it, etc. Please....talk to your doctor. It's very important.

Breast cancer is all over both sides of my family. They started yearly mamograms at age 30 for me.

Hi,
I don't know your age Kelsaysmommy, but if you have a strong
family history, you will probably need a mammogram earlier than
most.

My mother and every other female on her side has had pre-
menopausal breast cancer. (at an early age.)I have had yearly
mammograms since I was about 28.

Please check with your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask. Breast cancer,
if caught early, has something like an 88% survival rate. I just heard it from you. Havent been listening to the news. That is very sad. My neice died at 35 of breast cancer. Getting a mamogram is important but a self exam every week when your in the shower could never hurt.

I am almost 25 Jinx... I think i will give them a call just to be on the safe side.

It was my maternal grandmothers sister. She was one amazing women...Till the end we never heard her complain at all, even with how sick she was the last year we her.

Hi back,

Yes, please call them!! I cannot stress enough how important this
is! They may want to wait a few more years with you -- 25 is still
pretty young, but I would definitely discuss it with my doctor.

I even had genetic counselling done through the Cancer Agency
here, because of all the breast and ovarian cancer on my mom's side.

Having a family link does NOT mean you will automatically get
cancer, but it is
always a good idea to be screened. Mammography isn't perfect, but
it's the best we've got.
Take care!!Jinx39163.6834722222Thanks Jinx!!! Im going to call them in the morning and see what they want to do.. I dont have ins so im gonna have to see what kind of options i have if they want to have me get one doneGood for you! I don't know how it works in the States re: cost for
mammograms w/out insurance.
Here in Canada, it's free if you're over 40 or free if you're younger as
long as you're considered high-risk. Obviously, I'm considered high-
risk. :)
Take care. I'm very sorry about Mrs. Edwards. The only good thing
is, as someone already said, it's a reminder to all of us.

Don't hit me........I think I missed something, and I'm not sure who Mrs. Edwards is...... :(

Also - this is something that has come into talks with me and my shoulder pain - it's radiated into my arm pit, along my ribs and someone suggested that I should ask about getting a mam. if they can't find any other reason for my shoulder pain. Has anyone heard of breast cancer causing pain in an arm pit? I know you have glands there...but I don't really know anything else! (doesn't that show...) Hi,

Elizabeth Edwards is the wife of John Edwards who is running as a
Democratic nominee for President. He was Kerry's running mate in
'04

Yes, breast cancer can be in the arm pit area -- not only lymph
glands but breat tissue itself can extend that far.

There are probably a trillion reasons for your shoulder pain that have
absolutely nothing to do with cancer. (RA being at the top of the
list!)

But, if you have any doubts, questions, etc. do NOT hesitate to ask
your doctor about a mammogram. I think you mentioned seeing
your doctor next week, didn't you?? So, really there's no excuse not
to bring it up, is there????????? LOL. Katie, you have lymph glands in your arm pit. When you have an infection if you are fighting something, sometimes you'll get pain there. You can get pain there for other reasons too. My mom and my sister both had breast cancer. Both are still alive. My sister is 49 and had a mastectomy,and 14 lymph glands removed from under her arm all which were cancerous. She had 2 lumps in her breast, neither were picked up in her mamogram. She had chemotherapy and radiation and is still recovering one year later. It's very important to check your breasts monthly. Mamograms are most effective for women over fifty because younger women have dense tissue and fatty tissue in older women's breasts is easier for the machine to read. If that makes sense.That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a mamogram if you're under fifty. This is how my Dr. explained it to me.

Thank you all! *hugs* Don't know what I'd do without you!

I don't suspect cancer in the slightest, I just thought it was interesting that it was mentioned as a possibility, and I had just never heard of that before.

I AM going to see my PCP on monday, thought I don't think I have the guts to mention this just yet......LOL I'm such a little chicken.

I realize I must sound like a moron for saying "Who's Mrs Edwards?"

But I'm at work. And work is like a brain sucking leech. :) That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Here's some information I found for you Kelsaysmommy, which comes from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation:

What are the key statistics about breast cancer?

In 2007, the American Cancer Society estimates that 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer (Stages I-IV) will be diagnosed among women in the United States (vs. 212,920 in 2006) with 40,460 deaths (40,970 in 2006.) There will be approximately 62,030 new cases of DCIS—ductal carcinoma in situ (Stage 0) (61,980 in 2006), the non-invasive, earliest form of breast cancer.
Death rates from breast cancer have steadily decreased in women since 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50 (3.3% per year) than in those 50 and older (2.0% per year.)
Breast cancer will account for about 15 percent of all cancer-related deaths in women in the nation.
Increasingly successful therapies and the effect of screening, combined with improved treatment efficacy, have decreased mortality rates and improved survival.
In men, the ACS estimates 2,030 new cases (1,790 in 2006) with 450 deaths (460 in 2006.)
Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
Approximately 5% to 10% of breast cancers can be attributed to genetic predisposition; 20% to 30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease.
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women (excluding skin cancer). Worldwide, more than a million cases of breast cancer will be detected each year, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France.
In her lifetime, 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer.
One out of 210 breast cancer cases occur in women under the age of 40.
Overall breast cancer incidence rates are lower in African-American women than in white women. However, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer.
Asian, Hispanic and American Indian women have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer incidence and mortality.

What is the incidence of breast cancer in younger women?

The number of younger women getting breast cancer has been stable in the last 10 years, and the mortality rate in young women has declined, probably due to early detection and improved treatments. While only 4 to 5% of women under 40 will develop breast cancer, 1 in every 227 women between the ages of 30 and 40 will be diagnosed.

Do young women have a different type of breast cancer than older women?

No. However, according to the Young Survival Coalition, because young women typically have dense breast tissue, a mammogram is not always the best diagnostic tool for them. For this reason, and because dense breasts also make it more difficult to feel a lump, it is crucial that women ages 20 and older become familiar with their breasts and make sure they get regular clinical exams.

You are never too young for a mammogram if you have cancer in the family. Please go and have one. My cousins daughter passed away at 28 from breast cancer, her fathers mother and sister had it. Kylie Minogue has just battled breast cancer and she ws only 35 when she had it. Australia just lost another star to breast cancer and she was only 34 and had battled it for 8 years. Please, please, everyone if you suspect ANYTHING or have a family history of this disease, INSIST on a mammogram.I have no family history of it, but you all have planted the seed in my mind to be aware. And that's more than was there before! :) Good job! :)

A mammogram is no big deal. I get mine done annually.

Does anyone know if John Edwards will continue running for president? He is one of my favorite candidates

Hi all,

I have been getting mammograms since early 30's. I, too, have a very strong history in my family: My Maternal Grandmother, Mother, and 3 Maternal Aunts. It's the maternal side that is the strongest genetic link.

I have one aunt, on my Mom's side who hasn't got it yet, but out of 5 sisters in Mom's family, 4 had breast cancer. That's more than enough for a doctor to urge mammography for me and my 3 sisters.

I agree that if you have a family history, discuss it with your doctor and ask when you should start getting tested. jThe small discomfort of a mammogram is a small thing to go thru, to maybe find something early. But remember, it doesn't take the place of self exam and a breast exam by your doctor.

Just had to put in my little sermon along with the others

Love & hugs to all,

Nini

Does anyone know how long she was in remission?

Roxy, he is going to continue to run, at least right now.

Lori

Well, she was diagnosed in 2004, right after the election, I believe.
She had treatment and I think it was pretty aggressive treatment.

So, now it's early 2007 and it's metastisized to her rib. That's less
than 3 years in remission.

It is brave of them to share this with us as it hasn't been long ago that people in public life would hide everything! They must be suffering with fear. Cancer is a terrible disease. I do hope we can cure more types before our children and grandchildren need the treatment!! There are always future generations to think about.Yes she was diagnosed right after they had lost the election And Edwards is still running as of their press confrence today. ok im prolly gonna get kicked but ive never been taught how to do a self exam....oh and i have a weird personal question that i need to ask a "professional" self examiner Ok that sounded dirty, by no means it it, thats the only other way i could explain it....but to spare the men in this group :::looks around for any::: LOL i will pm the question to you lolkelsaysmommy39163.7804513889

http://www.komen.org/intradoc-cgi/idc_cgi_isapi.dll?IdcServi ce=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=480

for anyone interested

Hi all

I had a mammogram last year due to a lump and nipple invertion.I also had a ultrasound done.It wasnt breast cancer thank goodness I had a tear in a milk duct that had left a hole in the tissue.The specialist I saw said most breast cancers didnt give off any pain, pain normally comes with cysts or infections but I still think any type of difference where it concerns the breast should be checked out.

I had a suspicious spot on my mammogram in 1978 at age 24. They biopsied it and it was a benign nodule. An early sign of my RA?

So about four years ago when my "differential doctor's disease" came back (I cannot get anyone to agree on whats wrong), I go in because I am choking and cannot swallow. So the primary makes me get a mammogram. And they scare me to death with a new spot on my left breast.

So I have a stero-tactic (sp) biopsy where they shoot a pellet into your breast. So I am hanging upside down, and the pistol misfires THREE TIMES before they got it right. (So sorry, thats never happened before). And its the same nodule they biopsed in 1978. So they put in a marker this time so they wont oops not know its already been diagnosed. Of course, it was benign again.

So as I am hanging there upside down getting shot with a gun four times because of equipment malfunctions, choking and strangling, all I could think of was how TYPICAL it was for a man to go after my breasts instead of my choking problem.

It turned out my thyroid (Hashimoto's) (a local autoimmune disease) had grown a goiter backwards into my throat and was cutting off my feeding tube and had wrapped around my breathing tube, and I had a full thyroidectomy. With no antibiotics afterwards, and developed a bad infection. Another early sign of my RA? And this isnt diagnosed for another six months because I have to change doctors five thousand times before somebody finally cops a clue, and it wasnt a thyroid doctor, it was ME.

I am now 50, got a clean pap and normal mammogram two years ago. No one ever stopped to go, wonder why she has this nodule. Wonder why she has choking and strangling. Wonder why she has thyroid autoimmune. I don't plan on going back soon for another mammogram, I have enough to cope with.

I think its just all a big sham. They scare you to death with these tests, then do more tests and biopsies and surgeries and bs, then throw up their hands and tell you nothing is wrong. Morons.

justsaynoemore39164.1603703704

I feel very bad for the Edwards family. I honestly can't believe he still intends to continue his campaign. I can't see how it's possible for her to continue to travel with the campaign and I can't beleive he'd be comfortable leaving her behind knowing all that she's facing.

I understand their love for the country.....and respect that; but he's very unlikely to even when in the primary. Why waist a years time with your wife when you know she's likely to only have a few years left.

I just can't understand that. I think it's a choice he'll one day regret.

I agree. I was a bit shocked when they announced that he would still run. I am afraid I would have wanted my husband with me.

They are determined that is for sure and I really have to hand it to them for going on with all their plans. As they had stated on the news, he has a staff, he has already raised quite a bit of money, so what would you do if you have a business built, fully staffed with a business plan???????

I agree with him in that he is surely to have problem solving ahead if he were elected and I suppose in many ways this proves that he can function under major stress and problem solves without letting emotion get in the way.....but this is cancer and there is not a cure for this one. Oh well it is their choice. She must love him very much and he must love her very much is all I have to say. Also, remember, there is a tremendous amount of money at stake here and he has an agenda.

jode

None of us knows what we would do in the other's shoes and I've always thought of Elizabeth Edwards as an extremely strong woman. I think this decision is just as much hers as it is his. Probably more so. She says when she gets tired, she'll stop. Maybe I'm naive but I've seen so much love between the two of them and with the tradgedies they've suffered and weathered and come through, I have nothing but respect for them. So, If she says this is what she wants and can handle, then I believe her. Do I belive John Edwards has a chance of winning with Obama and Hilary in the running, probably not.

Well i called my OB/GYN office this morning and the nurse was awesome! She said that they start doing mammograms for those w/ a family history at 30. So i have some time with that and she also took the time to explain how i should do the self exam and when and everything. She was really great!

Good for you Kelsaysmommy. Usually (for those with no risk factors) a baseline mammogram is done at 35. If all is normal, most doctors will tell you, you won't need annual mammograms til age 40.

Ok, so if all that you have read above does not convince you, i'll share my
horror story with you. We admitted this 32 year old woman a few years
ago for pain control. They told me in report that she had been diagnosed
with breast cancer (yes, 32, your read that right). She failed to go to the
doctor because after all, she was 32 and nothing happens to women that
young. WhenIi undressed her to get her into a hospital gown, her breast
was square, and hard as a rock and was cracked open and bleeding. I
was horrified. I didn't realize this could happen. After talking to her, I
discovered that she found the diagnoses three months earlier but didn't
believe in medicine and hoped that prayer would heal her. She came in
with incredible pain. She died 3 weeks later a very horrible, painful death.
i will never forget this. Please, get your mammograms done. Most of the
women I have talked to that have breast cancer, have NO history of it in
their families. You are not too young. And don't listen to all the horror
stories about it being painful, it is not, maybe a bit uncomfortable but
totally tolerable.

Absolutely Lorster. Mammograms are no big deal and the relief after getting them is SO worth it !!!!

I agree - having a mammogram is actually something I look forward to every year, because then I know that I have an all clear!

But having said that, don't you just wish men had to have their testacles examined the same way?

So along with yearly mammograms, please remember to check your breasts monthly for lumps or any changes.

Leanna