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Indecision - not sure what treatment to have for left breast

Hbean7
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Hello Everyone,

A week ago I was diagnosed with preliminary grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast. The legion is 1.2cm so I was optimistic it was treatable. On my mammogram they also found micro calcifications on my left and right breast. Had biopsy's of those and got the results yesterday. The left is a low grade DCIS and the right pretty much the same, although they didn't get enough tissue to say for sure. I've agreed with the consultant that due to its instability I am to have a mastectomy next week for my right breast. 

The thing that is keeping me awake at night is what to do about my left breast. Because bilateral breast cancer is linked to genetics I need to get a test, which at best, takes 4-6 weeks to get the results. If it's positive then I need a mastectomy but I could have a lumpectomy when I have the mastectomy for my right breast or wait for the results and have a second surgery. There are also trials / research to suggest that with it being low grade DCIS it may never come to anything so maybe I do nothing.

I'm 48 and my cancer is strongly oestrogen and progesterone positive. So I stopped taking HRT when I found the lump 4;weeks ago. A week ago I took great comfort in the statistics - now with this 'sort of' bilateral diagnosis that comfort is out the window. My knee *** reaction was to have a double mastectomy next week but that's ott apparently. I have 3 daughters so the genetics test is a given for me but what to do about my left boob! I know everyone is different but if anyone could support I'd really appreciate it.

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    Hi

    I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation. I'm currently being treated for 2 small areas of invasive ductal carcinoma plus an area of grade 3 DCIS. I'm triple positive. I'm having chemo first. 

    What does your consultant say about your right breast? Do you know if you are HER2 positive or negative? 

    If your left breast has DCIS only, then please breathe. You have time to work out with your care team what the plan should be. You may also be a candidate for neoadjuvant chemo, which would reduce the size of the invasive part and can sometimes affect the DCIS part. 

    Vicki xx

  • Offline in reply to Vicki_76

    Hi Vicki, 

    Sorry to hear you're going through all this too :( 

    Mine is HER2 negative. The consultant is saying because  my right breast is obviously unstable (bit like me at the moment!) then a mastectomy has been agreed. At the moment chemo hasn't been considered for before surgery possibly after. How's your chemo going? 

  • Offline in reply to Hbean7

    Thanks. 

    OK, so potentially as you are negative that's why no pre chemo? Not completely au fait with it all yet! HER2 positive is considered aggressive, but have been told also a good candidate for chemo first. I've had 4 cycles of EC chemo so far. Nothing utterly horrific for me, but nausea that is hideous. It goes after about 6 days. I had an MRI scan yesterday and will see my consultant for results tonight. Gulp. Hoping that the little critters have been blasted away. On physical exam last week, I was told they could not be felt, so my fingers are crossed.

    Have a chat with your doc about monitoring your left breast for now? I know its nerve wracking and sometimes ladies can't handle it and just want surgery immediately. Do have a chat though. Think there is something called COMET if you google it. It's to do with DCIS and monitoring. X

  • Offline in reply to Vicki_76

    Everything crossed for your consultation later! Not sure about the pre-chemo / HER2 thing to be honest but your explanation sounds plausible! 
    I talk to my consultant later and just go over it again now the initial shock has worn off. The monitoring thing sounds dreadful but I guess I'll be monitored carefully anyway so ‍♀️
    best of luck for later - let me know how you get on x 

  • Offline in reply to Hbean7

    Hello

    The MRI wasn't clear as too much movement from me apparently. Oops! So I'm now having ultrasound and mammogram on Saturday 23rd. He confirmed also that my tumours could not be felt, so I'll have to hold on to that for now. 

    Let me know how you get on xx

  • Offline in reply to Vicki_76

    Hi,

    Well it's great that he can't feel anything there now and they have set you up quickly for more scans. Fingers and toes crossed they come back clear too. 
    I'm having a lumpectomy to remove the DCIS as well as a mastectomy of my right. My team agreed with me so at least I didn't have the stress of opposing opinions. 
    I hope you have the chance to have a relaxing Easter weekend. I have to self isolate over it but have raided the garden centre so I can keep active! This is another thing that's baffled me, physically I feel fine - it's hard to compute that I have cancer.. 

    all the very best xxxx

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