Do you know what type of breast cancer you have and has the decision been left to you re lumpectomy vs mastectomy? Sometimes your consultant will give you a good idea of what your care team would recommend. It can be difficult if the decision is left to you, when you probably know enough about your diagnosis to choose the right option. It really does need to be your decision, as you are the person who'll have to live with the outcome. Do as much research as you can to ensure that you'll be happy with your choice. You may find it helpful to draw up a list of questions for your next visit to the consultant. I had a lumpectomy 16 years ago, but had another cancer in the same breast and pre-cancer in the other within less than a year. I had a double mastectomy for the second bout and I've never looked back.
Do please let us know what you opt for. Whatever decision you make, I hope that it'll be the right one for you. We are always here for you.
Hi rier my Sister had breast cancer when she was 45 she's now 64 ,they gave her the choice of just taking the lump or the whole breast ,I remember saying to her have the mastectomy its safer ,in the end she had the lump taken and then had radiotherapy and she's never looked back ,so it just goes to show you don't have to have it all taken although I fully understand your reasons and if it was me I might do the same ,take guidance from your medical team .
Hi Jen I suppose I don't fully understand the anatomy of the breast and at the moment I'm too scared to look!!! But, thank you for telling me about your sister. I am delighted for her,
Surgeons rely on research. Looking at the figures for those who have had lumpectomies with certain types of cancer and those who have had mastectomies for the same type of cancer the survival rates are the same, so surgeons think that there is no point in removing the whole breast when just removing the lump does the same thing. With some of the more aggressive types of cancer or those which have spread into the lymph nodes, they sometimes prefer to do a mastectomy. Remember that no two cancers are the same. Do you know what type and stage of breast cancer you've got?
I am not a doctor and I'm no expert on breast cancer, but it sounds as if he is taking the cautious route. If the blue dye picked up more infected nodes, he might then decide to do a total node clearance or maybe a mastectomy. You might manage to persuade him to change his mind if he has any idea of how many nodes are likely to be involved. This should then mean only one operation.
I am not a doctor and I'm no expert on breast cancer, but it sounds as if he is taking the cautious route. If the blue dye picked up more infected nodes, he might then decide to do a total node clearance or maybe a mastectomy. You might manage to persuade him to change his mind if he has any idea of how many nodes are likely to be involved. This should then mean only one operation.
You maybe not an expert but you are very comforting Jo. Thank you for your replies. Yeah I suppose he is not sure him self yet until he opens up. I'm doing my best to stay positive and its surprising how you can get your head a bit more around it each day. Thanks so much Jo and I'm wishing everyone here the best of luck
