Question from Caring.com Community Member, gburgmom
My mother, 77, had a mastectomy in October of 2007. She did not need chemo treatments. Now her red blood count is low and her remaining breast itches. Could this be a reocurrance of the cancer?
Answer
answered:
As a 7 year survivor dignosed at 40 I have come across countless women whom I can't figure out why their oncologists choose the treatments they did...no chemo??? a mistake in my opion....the itching could possibly be the beginning of IBC or another rare form of cancer...Pagets Disease....please please get another opion immediately! What is her cancer marker at? I request this blood test every 6 months. Under 45 I think is considered normal altho mine was 38 the day I started my chemo. Mine now stays between 4 and 8. Does she take Femara?
Expert Answer by Andrew Putnam
Andrew Putnam is the director of the Palliative Care Program at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Georgetown University.
Your most important action, if you are concerned that your mother's breast cancer has returned, is to make an appointment to see her oncologist and explain the symptoms. It would be unusual to have the cancer return this fast if your doctors felt that chemotherapy was not needed such a short time ago, but nevertheless it is possible. When there is a question or concern, you should ask your doctor because he or she knows your mother's case best and is available to perform any tests needed to investigate.
