Mastectomy or Lumpectomy ?

I am awaiting a 2nd biopsy  result however may only need a wide local excision and not a mastectomy . The problem is the lump is near my sternum , there is no local fat to flap across and it's a 3cm x 1cm lump . I am worried a wide local incision including the clear margin will be incredibly disfiguring . I know I can get a prosthesis however wonder if a mastectomy with implant may be better to live with long term . It is obviously a bigger surgery and longer recovery etc . I am not sure if it will be worth it long term . Any advice much appreciated it . Thanks 

  • Hi Hannah 

    I think you should be guided by the surgeon 

    the thing with the lumpectomy is if they don't get clear margins it means another surgery 

    I had wide spread dcis plus a small invasive ductal cancer so I didn't have a choice it was a mastectomy 

    I had reconstruction straight away 

    which has pros and cons and may not be possible if you need treatment such as radiation 

    all these decisions are so hard to make when your still coming to terms with the diagnosis 

    im 3 years down the line I'm happy with my new boob to a degree I didn't have any other treatment and recovery time was quite quick 

    it isn't a breast I lost the nipple due to the cancer but I can wear anything even a bikini I have a good cleavage I've got use to it 

    they don't tell you how heavy it feels it was like having a brick on my chest at first 

    I'm happy to answer any question if you have any 

    j x 

  • Hi Hannah,

     

    I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction from my thigh last Saturday. I came home on Thursday. 
     

    it's looking really good at moment. 
     

    I wasn't given a choice as the cancer had spread to wide but I would of done for a mastectomy anyway.

     

    happy to also answer any questions. X