Forum Discussion
breast conserving surgery or mastectomy
I am trying to work out which course to take i.e. breast conserving surgery or mastectomy. My Dr has indicated breast conserving would suffice however it appears from my reading that with breast conse...
Hi Midget
I was 67 when diagnosed, and had only the choice of a partial or full mastectomy. If you are not concerned about preserving the breast, and many women quite rightly are, then a mastectomy resolves issues about cancer in that breast but provides no guarantee about experiencing cancer again. When we are first diagnosed, we cross a line between knowing about cancer in the abstract and living with the knowledge that we have had it and might possibly get it again. I never wanted reconstruction, have had a prosthesis for 3 years (quite large breasted) and find it no problem. As always, the best advice is listen to your medical team and make the decision that feels right for you. Good luck.
I was 67 when diagnosed, and had only the choice of a partial or full mastectomy. If you are not concerned about preserving the breast, and many women quite rightly are, then a mastectomy resolves issues about cancer in that breast but provides no guarantee about experiencing cancer again. When we are first diagnosed, we cross a line between knowing about cancer in the abstract and living with the knowledge that we have had it and might possibly get it again. I never wanted reconstruction, have had a prosthesis for 3 years (quite large breasted) and find it no problem. As always, the best advice is listen to your medical team and make the decision that feels right for you. Good luck.