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Hi. I had a mastectomy a week ago and cannot bring myself to look at my chest area. I have coped with 6 months of chemo, but find this part very difficult. Any advice?

I had a biopsy on July 20th, which showed grade 2, Her2 positive cancer, stage 2. Since then - nothing has happened... I am waiting. Is that normal for COVID times?

The Irish Cancer Society is proudly supporting the virtual Childhood, Adolescent, Young Adult Cancers Survivorship Conference this year.  There will be a virtual stand available at this conference if you wish to speak with a nurse from our support line for any information about the services and supports we provide. Information about the conference, including the programme and registration can be found by clicking this link here. We know that a cancer diagnosis in a younger person can have a devastating impact on those affected, their families and communities.  Some services and supports that the Irish Cancer Society offer are: Cancer Information and advice. Through our support line, the Irish Cancer Society children’s nurse provides advice, support and information to parents.  We can be contacted by phoning 1800 200 700 or by emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie. There is also a range of information and publications available on our website. Counselling. We provide free counselling services and play therapy funded through our network of affiliated community cancer support centres. Parent Peer-to-Peer Support. In partnership with CanCare4Living, CanTeen Ireland, and the Childhood Cancer Foundation, we run Ireland’s parent peer support group for parents of children and teenagers with cancer.  Financial Assistance. The Children’s Fund and Travel2Care schemes gives direct financial support to any family who experience a childhood cancer diagnosis. Childhood Cancer Fertility Project. Providing services and developing new methods to preserve fertility for children and young adults after childhood cancer, further information can be found here. Night Nursing. We provide free in-home night nursing care for children and young adults at end-of-life. As part of our strategy 2020 – 2025 we are working to significantly enhance and expand the supports and services which we provide for children and young adults affected by cancer.  If you would like to speak with a cancer nurse about any of these services or for any support or advice, our Support line is available by phone on 1800 200 700 or emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie or alternatively you can drop into one of our Daffodil centres.

Hi, i started tamoxifen on July 4th, so I'm almost 2 month into it, i had my last period on the 7th of August and today it seemed like i got it again, or at least I'm hoping is my period and not just a random bleeding. I was diagnosed with stage 1a bc in April, had a lumpectomy and slnb which were clear.i have seen all my doctor's in the last couple of month and it seemed that everything was fine.my gynecologist suggested a total hysterectomy with dual oophorectomy, which i am considering because he said the bleedings will happen.i guess my question is if this is something that i need to address right away because the tamoxifen is already doing damages or should I wait because my periods will be irregular for a while?thank you

Hello, I was diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer in Sept of 2020. I have since gone on to have a mastectomy and did 4 rounds of TC Chemo. Throughout all my treatment and even now I have been told that I can leave the mirena coil in - it will not affect my body causing more cancer. Speaking to other women however I note they have been advised to have it removed asap. Which is the correct course of action as now that I am back to myself again I can't go through this ever again? Thank you.

Hi, I am looking for information with regards to results my mam was given last week, she has a small lump on her nose and had biopsy done and they told her in naas hospital that it's melenoma but it's growing outwards, they have told her that she could be 6 months waiting to be seen in James hospital to see will they remove or give her a cream, she's a previous breast cancer patient and is upset with getting this news and dose not want to wait 6 months for an appointment so I am looking for advice on how we could have this done privately?

Hey guys, Fairly new here so not exactly sure what to say. My mam was diagnosed with terminal cancer out of the blue recently. To say we are devastated and shocked as a family is an understatement. We never thought this would hit our family but I guess no one ever does. Feeling very lost at the moment as my mam is the closest person to me and we are the closest family ever. Feel like I'm already grieving for her when she is still here and I know the worst is yet to come and it's going to change all our lives forever. Any advice on coping? My friends are amazing but they obviously don't get it because they are never dealt with this. Thanks

  A brief post around managing menopausal symptoms during and after cancer treatment: Many women suffer from menopausal symptoms but in particular those who are on treatments to reduce the amount of oestrogen in their system. Symptoms can include aches and pains, hot flushes/night sweats, low mood and anxiety – among others. We have some helpful information on our website about the different symptoms of menopause nd some practical tips you might try (see the link below). Some symptoms can get you down. It can be hard to find the motivation to try and make lifestyle changes. This can be partly due to the menopause but can also be due to so many other concerns you have at this time. Making a phone call to our nurses, to your own nurse or doctor in your hospital, or to your GP, is the first step. There are some prescribed medications which may help with some symptoms. Many people will try all of the suggestions made to them and still struggle. Counselling and talking to others who have been through this may also help. I will include links on all of these supports below. I do hope we will hear from you as each person’s experience is individual to them and so often that one-to-one conversation can help. You can talk about what you have already tried and if it has or has not helped…and talk about other worries you may have that is making everything so much harder to deal with. Here is a link to our information on Managing menopausal symptoms. You can contact us on the Irish Cancer Society Support Line 1800 200 700 and speak to one of our cancer nurses or email us on supportline@irishcancer.ie You can also contact us at our cancer nurses at our Daffodil Centres located in 13 hospitals nationwide  see www.cancer.ie/support/daffodil-centres If you would like to speak to someone who has been through the menopause as a result of their treatment this can be arranged by our nurses. For more information on this see here:  Survivor Support programme. . The Society also funds professional one-to-one counselling and group survivorship programmes in communities all across the country. Contact us if this is something you might like to arrange. Take care  Cancer nurse.    

My mother in law has been diagnosed with lung cancer. When not in hospital she will be living with us. My primary school aged kids are due to resume school in September. Obviously they are too young to be vaccinated. Should we homeschool them instead? Is that what people do? We have isolated ourselves from everyone because of Covid, but all of us adults are fully vaccinated. Is it ok to go into work in person for a once off meeting? Is it ok to meet my own mother and father? Precautions are in place. Outdoora where possible, ventilation, wearing masks, hand washing etc etc. The spread of Delta variant is scary but cutting ourselves off from everything and everyone feels extreme. Is this what people do?

Hi, I'm 45yo, and in April i was diagnosed with stage 1abreast cancer , hormone positive and HER negative, i went through a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy, and nodes were clear, I'm on tamoxifen now, and my gynecologist is advising on a total hysterectomy with a dual oophorectomy. Is this a normal thing to do under the circumstances, i mean i don't want kids, nor do I have any, but the ovaries taken as well, seems ,to me obviously, a very extreme measure, and although I am aware that ovarian cancer might be in the books, it seems from the things that i read, that coronary artery disease,ling cancer and colorectal cancer might be following this procedure anyway....Obviously, my doctor would know better, as I read this information online, but I'm looking for a bit more information on the subject...has anyone been through a similar experience?thank you