- Home
- Information
- If you’ve been diagnosed
If you’ve just been diagnosed
The days after you’re told are some of the strangest you’ll live through. Time goes oddly, and people say things you can’t take in. This is what tends to happen next, and how to make it a little less overwhelming.
6 minute read
What usually happens next
Every diagnosis is different, but this is the rough shape of the first few weeks. Not all of it will apply to you.
- A team meeting about you. Surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and nurses review your case together and agree a treatment plan. You don’t attend; the plan is explained to you afterwards.
- More tests to find the exact type, size and grade of the cancer. These might include an MRI scan, blood tests, and possibly a sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- A treatment plan. Surgery usually comes first, sometimes after chemotherapy to shrink the tumour. Most plans take 6 to 12 months in total.
- A specialist breast nurse is assigned to you as your main contact. Save their number in your phone; you’ll use it a lot.
Questions worth asking
Write them down before you go, and take someone with you. It’s fine to ask the consultant to slow down. It’s your life.
- What type of breast cancer is it? (For example ductal, lobular, hormone-receptor positive, HER2 positive.)
- What’s the stage and grade?
- What’s the treatment plan, and in what order?
- What are my options for surgery?
- Will I need chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy?
- What side effects should I expect?
- How will treatment affect my work, my family and my fertility?
- Will I be treated in Gibraltar, or will I need to travel?
- Who do I call if I have a question at midnight?
- Can Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar get in touch with me?
The bits in between
Things people often wish someone had told them.
What do “stage” and “grade” mean?
Stage describes how big the cancer is and whether it has spread (0 to 4). Grade describes how the cells look under a microscope and how quickly they’re likely to grow (1 to 3). They’re separate things. Most cancers found through screening are early stage and low to medium grade.
How do I tell my family?
However feels right to you. Some people tell their partner first and wait a day before telling anyone else. Some ring everyone at once. With young children, simple honest words work best: “Mum is poorly and the doctors are going to make her better. It might take a long time. I’ll still be your mum.” We can put you in touch with people who have done this. Just call.
What about work?
You don’t have to decide today. UK guidance suggests most people are off work for 3 to 6 months around surgery and chemotherapy, and many go back part-time at first. Gibraltar employers are generally understanding. If yours isn’t, we can help you find someone to advise you.
Will I lose my hair?
Only with certain types of chemotherapy, not from surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapy alone. Even then, the cold cap at St Bernard’s, funded by our donors, greatly reduces hair loss for many people. Ask your oncologist whether it’s suitable for you.
Will I need to go to Spain or the UK?
Most breast cancer care happens in Gibraltar or just across the border in Spain. For specialist treatment, such as reconstruction or certain trial drugs, the GHA refers patients to the UK or Spain and covers the costs. Your team will explain what’s available locally.
