Hi all,
I went to my local breast clinic for breast pain, and subsequently had 3 mammograms & 4 biopsy's taken (2 from each breast) as I was told I had what looked like a lot of calcified cysts, but nothing to worry about and the doctor wasn't worried about them.
I'm 36, and when I was a baby had acute myeloid leukaemia so generally doctors have always erred on the side of caution, I've always been seen quickly and I feel like because of my history tend to take things more seriously when there is even a tiny remote possibility of something being cancerous.
At my follow up appointment I was told I have medium grade (2) DCIS, and I am having a mammogram next Monday with a follow up appt on the Friday.
The lovely breast cancer care nurse explained everything really well, but I think in hindsight I was obviously in a bit of shock and didn't ask any questions.
She suggested genetic testing so we completed the form but St George's ultimately declined to do the testing.
The nurse did mention a possibility of a mastectomy, which I am fine with but have some questions if anyone has had a similar diagnosis.
I'm not clear what will happen with the 'healthy' breast - before I had my follow up appt and had my results the doctor mentioned that it would be likely I would have to have mammograms every 3 months because of the amount of cysts (they put titanium clips in).
My personal preference would be to have both breasts removed because I wouldn't want to have one go, then live with the worry that something would happen in the other. Is this something that would be considered?
I'm also interested in the timeline for any operations after diagnosis / MRI. I'm extremely grateful for the NHS and I understand you can't pick and choose, but my eldest daughter will be sitting her exams (and is currently unaware) shortly and if I can I don't want to do anything that will distract her from that, so ideally would wait another 6 ish weeks before we had to break the news / have any Ops etc.
im also interested in peoples experience and timeline of a lumpectomy / radiotherapy. Would this be something that I would need a significant time off work for?
Sorry for the long post! Thanks in advance