When Do You Consider Your Cancer Diagnosis Date?

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EG

Community Member

6 months ago

Silly question, but what date do you consider to be your diagnosis date? The date of suspicious mammogram or other imaging?The date of + biopsy? Or the day they called you with results??? My journey began on April 10 with a suspicious finding on screening mammogram. My core needle biopsy was on April 22 and they called the next afternoon with the results (IDC that is HR+, HER2-). This whole thing is very surreal, I keep thinking they’re going to call and say oops we made a mistake!!! I’m stage 1a/b so very good prognosis right now. Since the initial dx I’ve had genetic testing (negative thankfully), MRI and magseed lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy on May 22. Anxious for follow up with surgeon next week and getting pathology report.

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Accepted Answer

Many people in the community consider different dates as their "official" diagnosis date - some choose the biopsy date, others the day they received the results, and some even go with when they first had the suspicious finding. There's no right or wrong answer, and it's completely normal to still feel like this might all be a mistake - that surreal feeling is something many here can relate to. Wishing you the best as you await your pathology results and follow-up appointment next week.

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MC

Community Member

6 months ago

I had a lumpectomy on 5/13 and was informed of stage 1, grade 3, triple negative cancer on 5/19. Had my surgery follow up on 5/22 and was referred for breast MRI, had blood drawn for BRCA results and was told a sentinel lymph node removal will need to be done. I have appointments set for 5/29 to the medical and radiation oncologists

1

MD

Community Member

6 months ago

I consider my diagnosis date to be the day I answered the phone and was told my biopsy came back positive. You’re right it’s a very surreal. My experience was very similar to yours and followed up with radiation. My oncologist said I didn’t need chemo and I hope we were aggressive enough with just radiation and AI

1

CA

Community Member

2 months ago

Many people in the community consider different dates as their "official" diagnosis date - some choose the biopsy date, others the day they received the results, and some even go with when they first had the suspicious finding. There's no right or wrong answer, and it's completely normal to still feel like this might all be a mistake - that surreal feeling is something many here can relate to. Wishing you the best as you await your pathology results and follow-up appointment next week.

When Do You Consider Your Cancer Diagnosis Date?

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