anti tnf - breast cancer ?

lesleygraham
lesleygraham Member Posts: 91
edited 13. Sep 2010, 14:54 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi folks
Haven't been on for ages, RA (was) going well and just got back to work after 16 months off sick. However, I just found a painful lump in my right breast and my boob is much larger than the left one. I have small boobs so it is very noticeable. I saw rheum nurse and she stopped my meds, methotrexate (injection) and humira until I have seen my gp, I've got to wait 6 days for an 'emergency' appointment. Anyway, I am very worried, I also have blood in my urine, aching back and sore boob and aching shoulder (aswell as RA). I read that anti-tnf drugs can cause cancer - this has really shook me up. I'm only 41 and just starting to get my life in order again after 6 years of RA and numerous treatments and I am now entering panic mode. Anyone else experienced anything like this?
Les

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Not yet. It is a risk, I had this clearly explained to me before I started anti TNF. All life is a risk. My view is they can cure cancer, which is a good thing, but they can't cure arthritis, which is a bad thing. I can understand your feelings tho: they have stopped your meds, so prepare for everything seizing up, and they will put you thro the system as quickly as they can, of that I am sure, so that you know exactly what is going on as soon as you can. The drugs they give us are so powerful, our bodies have to tolerate a great deal. They can cure cancer tho, if indeed it is cancer - hold onto that fact. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Les,
    Six days for an appointment is to long. Your are worried sick and need to be reassured as soon as possible.
    Ring your Dr for a cancellation and stress how worried you are.

    Lots of hugs,

    Ix
  • nikscat33
    nikscat33 Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Les

    I know it is difficult but pls try to stay positive.... no matter what happens you will get through it... stay strong hun we're all here to listen, if its any help my mum found a lump in her breast and it turned out to be a cyst and she just had to take primrose oil capsules... i do understand tho how scared you must feel pls try and get an earlier app with doc to reassure you.

    Lots of hugs

    Cat x
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    try not to jump to the conclusion its cancer right away, many many lumps appear which are not cancer so hang on to that, even if it is its been picked up early and its not the doom and gloom it used to be. ring up and chase an earlier appointment and speak to the nurses there also they can help.

    you are not alone, we will be here to help you all the way, massive hugs xxxx
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Les

    Sorry you are going through this stress. I really hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Are you going to the clinic on Thursday? I will be thinking of you over the next 6 days and keeping fingiers and toes crossed for you..

    Marion x
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This is just a newspaper scare story without any real information to back it up.

    The majority of studies in rheumatoid arthritis suggest there is no increased risk of cancer for people treated with anti-TNF compared to people treated with tablets. One study by Nannini (reference below) suggests that for every 10,000 people treated with anti-TNF, 75 people may develop cancer, this compares with 50 people for every 10,000 not treated with anti-TNF. This means there could be 25 more people with cancer in every 10,000 treated with anti-TNF. http://asblog.swansea.ac.uk/?p=216

    What it means is that people may on average, have a greater 0.25% higher chance by taking anti-tnf. One quarter of one percent higher chance. Or about one and a half letters higher chance out of this posting. (That looks like 'A.' compared to the rest).

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,775
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesley

    I am so sorry you are having such an awful awful worry at the moment :(

    I am thinking of yuo and sure all will be well.

    Joseph's article is very reassuring and please do keep in touch - we will support you if we can.

    LOve

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello lesley, I hope you are OK this morning (feeble words I know but it is difficult to know how to put it.) You are one day closer to your appointment, I hope you let us know how you get on when you see the doc. thinking of you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • queenfan
    queenfan Member Posts: 563
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesley
    Just a thought, I am at high risk of getting Cancer,which I found out after having a mammogram, Due to lots of precancerous cells being found, I know it's not the same as yours, But you could ring the hospital
    & ask to speak to a (Breast clinical nurse)She will be able to reassure you & possibly get you an earlier appointment.I have a clinical nurse who I can ring at any time, I don't know if this is of any help but I do know how you feel about the waiting, sending my best wishes I'm sure things will be fine :wink: Please let us know how you get on
    Sue x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Lesley,

    so sorry you're having this worry and I do hope that you get to see someone to talk this through with while you count the days until your consultant's appointment..... the 10th feels a long way off when you are worried I'm sure.

    There may be no link with the anti tnf and Mtx but they have to take you off these drugs while you undergo tests.

    I do hope that what they find isn't cancerous.... we all fear that don't we... but as DD said there are such effective treatments now so please take heart in that.

    we are here for you so please continue to post ... or you could phone our helpline on 0808 800 4050 tomorrow for one to one confidential counselling support....

    Love and ((((hugs))))

    Iris xxx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Lesley, I think that is a ridiculous time to eait for an emergency appointment!! My docs has an out of hours service - and if the surgery is closed you ring up and then go to the Badger clinic which is held at the local hospital. Is this an option for you. Alternatively you could ring the surgery and ask for the doc on call to ring you back - then you can explain to him/her rather than just have the whole understanding (not) scenerio with the receptionist ....

    Hang in there girl, rest plenty as you are not on your meds ... and keep us posted.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesley

    Just to say I'm still thinking about you and hoping everything will be OK..

    Marion x
  • jan1ce
    jan1ce Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lesley, I just joined today and didn't think I could support someone this quickly but then I read your post. I had breast cancer in 2002. It was discovered with a routine mammogram. The thing they stress to you is how 9/10 lumps are not cancer. If they are suspicious they give you a stronger mammogram and an ultrasound and if those are still showing something, you will get a biopsy. This is all scary but to tell you the truth, you will find that it's all considered quite routine and the amount of support I received was phenomenal. I couldn't believe how many people there were out there volunteering their time to talk to me, visit me, support me. Then the nurses and social workers all offering me advice, things for my physical comfort, financial support, complementary therapies....and so on. I felt so cared for.

    Anyway, let's hope it turns out to be nothing serious so you don't have to get all this fantastic help! By the way, since 2002 I've had no problems. I'm a bit scared now because I worry they might have overlooked something important and my cancer is back - you learn quickly to watch for unrelenting pain and if arthritis isn't that, I don't know what is. Hang in there and I hope to hear good news soon.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,775
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just checking in an offering my support - Lesley.

    Wont be too long now.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    still thinking about you Lesley. :wink:

    love and supporting (((hugs)))

    Iris x
  • kerrycc
    kerrycc Member Posts: 89
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just wanted to let you know that i am thinking of you too. I must admit when I first went on Humira (which is only very recently) the cancer thing is the one that scares me most of all about taking the drug, but Joseph's post is very reasurring. Everything crossed for you xxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi lesley, I hope you are OK. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Lesley

    Just to let you know that I'm still thinking about you ..

    Marion x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning lesleyg. I hope you are OK today - have you been able to get an earlier appointment? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    how you doing today lesley? hope you are ok,

    {{{{{hugs}}}}

    coco xx
  • lesleygraham
    lesleygraham Member Posts: 91
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just logged on and was amazed at all your responses. Thankyou all for your support and kindness. The lump in question dissapeared by the time I got to the doctors, typical, but I am so relieved, he said it was probably a cyst. The blood in urine was an infection, and a sample was taken. It musn't have been serious cos the doc hasn't phoned me. Anyway, thats the good news. The bad news is that I came home from my caravan to go to docs and hospital, when I went back it had been burgled and they took EVERYTHING, even all the clothes, towels, tellies etc. I am now scared to stay there so it is up for sale....gutted.....

    Thanks again
    Les
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh I am so sorry. Good news on the one hand then horror on the other. At least things can be replaced - but that is poor comfort, I know. You will find the strength to cope, I have no doubt. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    omg! It happened to me too, I was ill and spent the day in bed and finally got a doctor' appt in the afternoon. In the hour I was out I was burgled so know exactly how you feel. What rotters!
    I am glad your lump has gone though.
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Les

    I'm so pleased things weren't as bad as you thought, but so sorry to hear about the burglary...

    Take care

    Marion
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