My first post and so confused...
This discussion was created from comments split from: DCIS.
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Hi annie. Sorry you had to join us.
The thing that struck me in your post is you say you dont want mastectomy and surgeon thinks it isnt necessary. I think you have the answer right there. Go with what feels right to you. Its ur body and its a huge decision . Once the breast is gone u cant get it back and it also isnt a 100% guarantee . Have you had an mri. As with kitkatb and julieVT above it was the only way the true extent of my 7cm dcis was seen. I asked surgeon for referal for and was given a free mri in the public system right at the initial diagnosis stage and saved the trauma of multiple lumpectomy surgeries. It was easier to accept mastectomy when there was no other alternative. They should do mri as a standard diagnostic test it shows a lot more detail specially in younger women and others with dense breasts. They dont do it routinely because it costs more. A lot of women on this site struggle to get free mri in public system. Im not sure why my surgeon agreed to refer me but luckily he did and the follow up clinic i go to has also approved an mri every 12 months on my remaining breast so i know its possible. As you are young and trying to make this awful choice you seem a perfect candidate for extra diagnostic testing. Good luck with it it really is a scarey and confusing time. Xx
The thing that struck me in your post is you say you dont want mastectomy and surgeon thinks it isnt necessary. I think you have the answer right there. Go with what feels right to you. Its ur body and its a huge decision . Once the breast is gone u cant get it back and it also isnt a 100% guarantee . Have you had an mri. As with kitkatb and julieVT above it was the only way the true extent of my 7cm dcis was seen. I asked surgeon for referal for and was given a free mri in the public system right at the initial diagnosis stage and saved the trauma of multiple lumpectomy surgeries. It was easier to accept mastectomy when there was no other alternative. They should do mri as a standard diagnostic test it shows a lot more detail specially in younger women and others with dense breasts. They dont do it routinely because it costs more. A lot of women on this site struggle to get free mri in public system. Im not sure why my surgeon agreed to refer me but luckily he did and the follow up clinic i go to has also approved an mri every 12 months on my remaining breast so i know its possible. As you are young and trying to make this awful choice you seem a perfect candidate for extra diagnostic testing. Good luck with it it really is a scarey and confusing time. Xx