Welcome to our forum, Evaemacaz,

I’m sorry to hear about the difficult situation you find yourself in. It must feel very unsettling to receive different information about the size of the area and then be asked to consider different options for what to do next.

It might be a good idea l to speak again with your breast care team and ask them to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and what each path could mean for your treatment and recovery. On that note, writing down your questions beforehand can sometimes make these conversations a little easier and help ensure that everything important to you is discussed.

Hearing from others who have faced a similar decision can also help, so hopefully some members of the forum will come along soon to share their experiences with you.

If you feel it would help to talk things through with someone independent, you are also very welcome to speak with one of our nurses. They are available on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and they can listen and help you think about the questions you may want to ask your team.

I hope you receive the information you need soon so you can feel more confident about the next step.

All the best,

Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Evaemacaz,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

This is always a difficult decision to have to make when we don't know enough about cancer to choose the best option. Not all cancers are straightforward to detect. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis, so that the patient receives the best possible treatment. 

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer, all within a year of diagnosis, I had a lumpectomy first and a double mastectomy after a year. The sample that was sent for analysis after the lumpectomy reported that clear margins hadn't been achieved, but the surgeon insisted that he had realised this at the time and had taken further tissue away, so he didn't consider it necessary to carry out further surgery. I may be wrong, but in my opinion, Pathology were right and I might not have needed the double mastectomy, if a further margin had been removed in the first place. No doctor has X-ray eyes, so they rely heavily on a number of tests, as well as their expertise to diagnose us as accurately as they can.

I would advise you to talk to your breast care team and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both options. They are the people who deal with cancers day-in day-out and they have the benefit of training, experience and research to be able to advise you. I agree with our moderator, Renata, that it is helpful to write down any questions you think of before your appointment. If you can bring someone with you to your appointment to write down the answers as you ask them, this is even more helpful. Most of us forget about 80% of what is discussed before we leave the hospital grounds.

I know that the thought of further delays for more tests at this stage is always frustrating, but It might help to give you a clearer picture of the size and nature of what you're dealing with.

Whatever decision you reach, I hope that it will be the right one for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Than you

I'm glad to hear that you don't have too long to wait and also that your test has been changed to an MRI. All seems to be happening quickly now, which is good, Regardless of the outcome, you'll feel better once you know for certain. The MRI should pick up anything that is lurking and help you to reach a decision, but don't be hesitant in asking any questions that you may have. No question is too insignificant at this stage.

Do please keep in touch and let us know what decision you reach.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx