I'm sorry to hear about everyone's diagnoses. I haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer, but my Aunt Dorothy has. I don't know if this helps anyone, but I'm hoping that it will give everyone hope. My Aunt was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer when she was 32. After having a mastectomy, radiation and chemo, she went into remission. A few years later she was diagnosed again with breast cancer in her other breast, this time it was a different type of cancer. She had another mastectomy (she never had reconstructive surgery), more chemo, more radiation. She went into remission and was offically cancer free. Last year, they discovered spots on her spine in an MRI in the lumbar region. It turns out to be stage 4 breast cancer metastasized to her bones. Its currently in several spots along her spine and her ribs. She did chemo for a 3rd time but refused more radiation. She's had some form of cancer for about 15 years. She's in some pain but generally happy and helping me plan my wedding (which is in 2011). I don't know if she was given a time frame, I suspect she was and isn't telling anyone. Anyway, it was nearly 8 years between the time she completed treatment for her 2nd treatment for cancer and the time she learned about. I wish everyone the best! I'm 23 and have started screening for breast cancer. I'm being tested for the genes and I'm starting mamograms next year.