Covid and impact on planned breast cancer operation

I am due to have a lumpectomy on friday10th June but despite being really careful I have had a positive covid test today. I'm so worried. Can't talk to tge hospital until Monday morning. Anyone know what the implications about the operation going ahead night be? 

  • Welcome to the forum Frances although I'm sorry to hear you've tested positive for covid just before you're due to have your lumpectomy. This must be very frustrating, especially as you've been so careful.

    As you've posted your query in our nurses section of the forum I just wanted to let you know that they are not back until Monday so you won't receive a response from them until then.

    Hopefully some of our members will pick up on your post and share their thoughts and experiences with you soon but in the meantime, you may be able to get some information and advice about this from the NHS on 119.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Frances2022

    This unfortunately happened to me before my breast surgery , I was actually at the hospital awaiting my surgery and they discovered my temperature was 38.5  I did not feel unwell and had no symptoms they tested me and I had a positive covid test so my surgery was cancelled.  I was negative 3 days prior to my op date and careful too .  I had to wait 10 days until I was negative and saw  my consultant who said that I would not be able to have elective surgery for at least 7 weeks as the risks were high and this is the the rule notionally but my consultant put a case forward to the anaesthetist to bypass this as I was okay whilst I was positive with covid and no major problems  i had to do my pre op tests again which included a heart ecg which were all fine.  My original op was supposed to be the 7th April 22 I had my op on the 17th May 22 and was out the same day. Hopefully they will be able to do the same for you.

  • Goodness annrob70 - that was such a long time to wait. I'm glad that you had the operation and are recuperating now. I've felt so shocked today by the covid result - having spent over the last 2 years being careful, I can't believe covid has caught up with me with less than a week to go before the operation. I'm so worried that the cancer will worsen with a wait - and worried that the covid may be worse because I have breast cancer. Really down today. Thankyou for replying 
     

  • HI Frances,

    I can relate to how you feel, especially not getting covid in the past two years and unfortunately getting it now.  I was okay with covid physically, the hospital did phone me a few times to see how i was doing and i was given a number to call if i needed to come in for treatment if my symptoms got worse, but I was okay.  I know I was extremely worried about further delays and the progression but my consultant said it would be okay as my breast cancer was low Grade 1 and 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in both breasts.  This was found at my first ever mammogram screening I did not find the lumps myself and the mammogram only picked up one lump at screening, a mri picked up a tiny lump and dcis in my right which was a real shock as no symptoms  I had  lumpectomies and breast reduction and lift as I have large boobs so they were able to do this, and they did a great job and healing really well

    What is your treatment plan if you don't mind me asking 

  • I'm older than you - early 60s so have had many mamagrams which have been fine.

    Treatment plan for my lobular cancer in one breast is lumpectomy and mamaplasty to reshape and lift breast plus some removal of lymph nodes. Radiotherapy afterwards. But maybe more surgery and or chemo depending upon how the first operation goes and tge findings ...

  • You have to wait weeks for elective surgery. Something to do with a higher complication rate in those who have recently had covid. I think the risks drop back to normal around the  7-8 week mark.

    I had to wait longer than normal for a tooth to be pulled. And that is a walk in the park compared to the surgery you're having.

  • I am 51 years old , I had the mammoplasty and reshape and lift to my left and a lumpectomy to the right and I had sentinel nodes removed on the day of surgery.  I will be seeing my consultant next week for the results. I m hoping that i wont have to have chemo as my cancer was estrogen strong and  HER2 negative.  But will be doing a course of radiotherapy and hormone blockers for 10 years. 

    I know the waiting is the awful part of this Please let me know how you get on with the hospital, and I pray that they are able to reschedule your surgery swiftly.  I found the Breast Cancer Now website really helpful  when i was waiting they have a service called 'Some one like me' where your able speak to people who have gone through the same diagnosis, surgery etc  I found the website really useful and they were able to answer alot of questions and share their experiences with me.

  • Thankyou for all your responses. You have shared so much at a time which must be very raw for you too.I appreciate that. 
    I hope your own hospital appointment to follow up the surgery goes well for you and that the chemo is not considered necessary. 
    Thankyou for your further suggestions too-I'll follow them up. 
    with my best wishes Frances

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    Hopefully you will have spoken with your hospital team by now. There are protocols now in place for this, and they will guide you as to when to retest, to get a negative covid result. They will rebook your surgery date, as soon as is feasible. 

    Hopefully, they will be able to give you more information.

    Best wishes,

    Vanda