I've been a member of the prostate cancer newsgroup for a few years and
they have been a valuable tool for me in my battle against that
disease.  Now, I need your help with my mother's breast cancer.

My mother developed breast cancer twelve years ago at age 75.  If I
recall correctly, the pathology report after biopsy read "In situ,
ductile cell carcinoma" or something very similar.  She had a partial
mastectomy, there was some cancer in two lymph nodes, and she went on
to have radiation treatment.  She then spent five years on tamoxafin
(sp?).  A couple of days ago, her most recent mammogram showed calcium
deposits in one breast, the very same indicator that prompted the
biopsy twelve years ago and she is now scheduled for a biopsy.  My
questions may be premature since the biopsy has not yet been performed
but I'll ask a few of them anyway.

First, if this is a recurrence of the original cancer, I would assume
it is not going to be affected by tamoxafin this time since the drug
obviously didn't kill it off the first time.  Is that correct?

Secondly, with prostate cancer, a recurrence beyond ten years is
usually a new cancer that develops in residual prostate tissue left
behind in the original surgery.  Is this true with breast cancer too?

Third, my mom has lost about 20 pounds for no reason within the last
ten months or so, now down to less than 100 pounds.  Is this an
indicator of something more serious with the breast cancer?  Except for
osteoporosis, she seems to be in good health.

I have more questions but I'll save them for after the biopsy results
are in.  Hopefully I will not need to ask them.  Thanks for your time.
Dave Perry