Hello everyone,

I have a multi-focal grade 3 breast cancer. ER+, HER2 negative. I am now waiting for my operation. 

The scans show that my lymph nodes are clear, however, the surgeon is telling me that they will take 3 nodes during the operation and if they find cancer, they will automatically remove all my lymph nodes (during the same operation, before I wake up). 

I have read that some hospitals do not do this, they either remove only nodes with cancer or offer radiotherapy to the armpit instead. Which does, apparently, decrease the risk of lymphedema from 30% to some 5%.

Can I ask my surgeon not to take all my lymph nodes automatically and think of a "smarter" solution? Or would I need to go to a hospital where they do the radiotherapy option? (I am an NHS patient.)

Losing healthy lymph nodes and subsequently developing lymphedema does not sound like a great prospect.

Thank you.

Verity