Hi Marls,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear that you are facing this situation. It is always so difficult to decide, when we really don't have enough knowledgeof our cancer to make an informed decision. Do you know what type and grade of breast cancer you have? Some cancers are more aggressive than others. The grade will indicate whether the cancer has spread or not. 

Your consultant should be the best person to advise you on this, as s/he will be aware of all factors surrounding your individual case. All cancers are different, as are our medical conditions, ethnicity, age, etc, so everything has to be taken into account.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was 12 years ago, when I had a lumpectomy, followed by Tamoxifen for 1 year. Almost a year to the day of my first surgery, I discovered another lump in the same breast and had a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, I couldn't have reconstruction, but I manage with a selection of prostheses for different activities.  I was 60 when first diagnosed, so wasn't too bothered about this. I didn't have any lymph node involvment.

I felt happier when I had the mastectomies, as I felt that I had done as much as possible to remove the cancer. It sounds as if you need to draw up a list of questions for your consultant and bring that with you to your next appointment. Don't forget to ask about what type of  additional treatment you will need with both types of surgery (and what the side-effects are likely to be), as you really need to consider the whole picture.

I suspect that if you asked 100 hundred people this question, you would probably find 50% for lumpectomy and 50% for mastectomy. This really needs to be your decision, as you are the one who will have to live with the outcome. However, you really do need to know about the possible outcomes of both options before reaching a decision. 

Whatever, you decide, I hope that you come to the right decision for you. Please remember that we are always here for you and let us know what choice you go for.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply, you have been very helpful with your information. Like you say everyone is so different with totally different outcomes and situations.

I really am struggling with the jargon and get lost in all the information given at one time. I went to see a lovely Macmillan nurse on Friday as I ended up having a little melt down out of the blue which is not like me at all. She talked me through things again with the options I have been given which has helped me a little more. Although my one question was and still is.. if it can be all done with a lumpectomy then why offer the mastectomy route if its not really necessary, so in my mind there must be some element of doubt as in the 20% chance of not fully removing all the cancer so further operations would be needed. That make me want to go down the mastectomy route as small as the percentage is.

You certainly have been through more than enough for one human being and I really do hope you are enjoying a happy and full life and future ahead.

Thankyou again for your kind words and yes I will keep in touch alough I'm not too good with Internet stuff... this is my second reply back to you as it all disappeared ‍.

Thankyou and kindest regards.

Marls. XxX

Hi Marls,

I’m glad to hear that you managed to have a chat with a Macmillan nurse on Friday. Don’t worry about having a meltdown. We all tend to have them from time to time. It can be difficult to come to terms with all the terminology, particularly when it is being fired at you so suddenly. Never be afraid to ask your care team what something means and, if you’re still not sure, someone on here is sure to know.

There are various predictive tests and formulae for working out how successful certain treatments will be. As far as I’m aware there aren’t any for surgical options. Your consultant should be able to tell you more about these – this is why I said that you really need to look at the whole picture.

It can be so frustrating when your post disappears into the ether, just as you’ve finished writing it. This has happened to me on countless occasions over the years. I now reply in word and copy it on to the forum.

I must confess that my cancer journey hasn’t always been easy, but I now lead a busy and fulfilling life. I retired last week, aged 73 and I fully intend to make the most of all this extra time.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx