Hi Jennies84,

I am sorry to hear about your Mum’s diagnosis. Cancer affects everyone in different ways, as do the various treatments.

I can only answer your question by giving you the benefit of my experience. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago and had a lumpectomy. At the time, there was a lump in my other breast which my surgeon assured me wasn’t cancerous, although he never carried out any tests. I had a lumpectomy on the original breast and was advised to have radiotherapy after. I refused to treat the one breast, whilst the other was being ignored. We had a Mexican stand off for 11 months.

After that I was referred to see another surgeon, who immediately examined me and sent me for a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. I was informed a week later that this lump was benign. My surgeon still wanted me to have radiotherapy. I went to see 2 eminent researchers in radiotherapy and got completely different advice from both. The first thought that it was worth trying, but the second advised me that there was no point in having it any longer than 3 months after surgery.

Almost a year to the day of my first diagnosis, I discovered another lump in the original breast. Again this was cancerous and this time I had a double mastectomy. I had initially been told that my type of cancer is rare. Only 1% of people get it and it is one of the less aggressive forms. When it returned, I was told that this was most unusual. I know that this is not chemo, but I suspect that, had I been advised to have chemo, the outcome might have been the same.There are no guarantees, but whatever you decide, I hope that it is the right choice for your Mum.

Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do. We are always here for you whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx