Hopefully some of our members who have had this surgery will share their experiences with you soon Jane, but whilst you wait I hope this information we have about the sentinel lymph node biopsy will help put your mind at ease.

You can also find out more about the mastectomy and reconstruction you'll be having on our website, but if you'd like to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Jane

I too had my routine mamogram which was at the end of May and not long after that received a letter from the hospital to come for further investigations.  I thought just routine and nothing to worry about.  Glad I went with hubby as was told about calcifications (which I had never heard of before) and sent off to have another mamogram to magnify clearer.  They were concerned as they had found a mass of calcifications and I they would need to biopsy straight away.  Obviously I started to worry at this point.  I was in shock but again thought everything would be ok - ever the optomist!  Went back two weeks later to be told the ducts were cancerous, and like yourself, was told it was 9cm. They would have to remove the dcis through surgery and as such a large area would have to perform a mastecomy.  I went back a week later to to discuss options and I decided to have reconstructive surgery at the same time with the tissue expander.  

During surgery they told me that they would perform a sentinel node biopsy using blue dye at the same time to check the first lymph node.

I had surgery nearly two weeks ago now and last week was told, after they sent the samples to be tested, that the cancer had not become invasive and they had also removed 10 cm of dcis.  Because of this I need no further treatment such a radiotherapy or chemotherapy because the surgery was successful.  

I am now recovering well, a little sore and tired. I also have a drain which I am having removed on Monday.  Everything has happened so quick and I cannot thank the hospital enough - they have been amazing!  

I hope this helps and all goes well.  Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on.  All the best.

Joules xx

Good Morning Joules

Thank you for writing and telling me your situation.

I am so glad to hear that you are on the mend and have no further treatment.

Can I ask what the tissue expander is as I have not been told anything about this?

I have heard alot of people say that a mastectomy is less painful then a lumpectomy, how was your experience with the surgery?

I am very anxious but I think it the wait is possibly worse then the operation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jane xx

Hi Jane

Lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind words.

With my diagnosis I was advised that I needed a mastectomy to remove the dcis. 

The hospital also talked to me about my options before my mastectomy surgery whether I wished to have any reconstructive surgery or not.  This again was a lot to take in, so they gave me lots of information, spoke to me about the types of reconstruction options available and also told me that if I could not decide, then reconstructive surgery could be delayed, depending on what I wanted to do.  They were extremely helpful and supportive. 

There are so many options available which is amazing! However, it also depends on each individuals circumstances, diagnosis, preferences and advice from the hospital too.

I personally opted to have reconstruction (an implant) and for this I have the tissue expander,

I hope you don't have to wait too long before your operation.

Take care

Joules xx

Hi Jo

Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

I am booked in for Mastecomy on 25th August. The waiting is driving me insane. The consultant has explained that this is very early stage and that she would expect no further treatment afterwards but my mind is racing.

How are you recovering now?

Jane x

The waiting is the worst. Yes DCIS is a precancerous condition so the operation should theoretically cure it. I was very nervous before my operation. I have completely recovered from it all. My next operation will be to lift  the other boob to the match the one with the implant. I am considering having the other one removed and having an implant put in so they look the same! Looking back I feel lucky that they found it. I'm not yet 50 so I wasn't even due to have annual mammograms. I wonder how many other women are walking around with DCIS and don't know it.

Jo. X

Hello

i am in similar situation. When did you find out it was hormone postive ?

Hi Shona,

The tissue is sent to Pathology after your surgery and tested for ER/PR positivity. You normally hear 1-2 weeks after surgery.

Have you got a date for surgery yet?
I hope that all goes well.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

KInd regards,

Jollamine xx

Thank you.. thought they may know at biopsy stage.

no date yet, got a plastics appointment this week and anaesthetics next week.