I'm 15 years old and just found out that my mother has breast cancer...can you help me?

Hi I'm 15 and I just found out that my mom has breast cancer, I have two little brother's twins and a sister were confused and scared.
I was wondering what are the stages of the cancer.
and anything and everything you can tell me that will help me to prepare myself.
Just basically tell me about it because my mom feels really uncomfortable taking about it and she cries when i ask her.

Hi Christina. My son was 15 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I know it was scary for him but he tried not to show it. I did show up in his school work and he almost failed his Sophomore year. I am now coming up on my 5 year anniversary of being cancer free. My sister is also a breast cancer survivor and her now 18 year old daughter was 2 when she was diagnosed (she also had several other children).

There are some very good web sites you can check out to learn more about what to expect during your mom's treatment and you may also find some good on line support groups of families of cancer patients. My favorite websites are cancer.org, which is the American Cancer Society's web site, The Susan Komen Foundation and Livestrong.org, which is Lance Armstrong's website.

Please feel free to email me if you want to talk t someone whose been there.

Your mom is not prepared to talk about it just yet. There are different types and stages of breast cancer, and different treatments. There are treatments that are successful in many patients, so it doesn't mean that your mom is going to die. Since your mom isn't able to talk about it yet, speak with another family member that you feel comfortable with. Let the person know that you are worried, and would like to know more about what's going on. Unlike what someone else said, don't try to force or bully your mom into talking about it.

I was diagnosed when my daughter was 16, and know it can be hard.

Hopefully there is another adult (father?) who can help with the day to day care of the family. Your Mother is going to need a lot os physical and emotional support over the next few months, but breast cancer is very treatable and there are very good odds for full recovery.

usually there will be surgery. let your mom know that you love her no matter what. it's ok if she cries because she's sad. she wants to make sure you will be ok. assure her that she is a great mom and you will help thru this time. there will be dishes and laundry and care for the younger kids that you can help with while she's sick. offer to do those things. it's very scary, but your family can make it through. band together with your younger siblings to make it as easy as possible on your mom. assure her that you love her and will support her no matter what. tell her that you will love and accept her even if she is sick and can't take care of you.

im sorry to hear that :(

one thing i know cuz my grandma has it, is that when people have breast cancer it is very very easy most of the time to get it out and when you do you live longer then you would with other cancers my grandma has had it for 20 years and nothing is wrong she get reguler check ups.

ask her what kind and ask her to explain whats happening

good luck in fighting cancer :)

/first, your Mom is very lucky she has such a caring person.

She may get cranky, and very very tired. If you go to
www.after-cancer.com this explains why this happens, and some helpful things - for your Mom and you.

Best of luck, and the best thing you can do is be there for her.

Verite R

I am so sorry to hear that. You can go online a type in brest cancer it will give you all the information you need. Be hopefull not only for your mom but for your brother's and sister

OK, tell your mom to pull up her socks and talk to you - that you are scared and she's the mom. Sure she's scared but she isn't going to die in the next week or two.

When I first had BC my oldest was about 15 and the youngest 9. I didn't cry but I didn't realize just how terrifying this was for them and I talked very little. In retrospect I wish I had talked more, my silence didn't make it easier for them, just made them imagine the worst. That was a good many years ago. I've had a couple more rounds with BC since, but I'm still here and intend to be for a while yet.

It is very hard to tell you about BC because there are so many forms and stages. Now, due to mammograms and information, most are discovered in the very early stages. 5 year survival rates are like 98% which is sort of like diabetes.

Your mother might have a lumpectomy where they take out a portion of the breast and some lymph nodes from under her arm. She may stay in the hospital over night and for a couple weeks she will be a bit limited in her work capability. If you could do the laundry and help with the groceries then it would help. Later she may do radiation therapy. That isn't too bad, but she will get tired by the end of it. The more chores you kids can take on the better.

www.breastcancer.org is a good site for information.