New here

Thought I would add my story here - just for extra info.

I am 52 (51 when I had surgery for BC - no family history - I'm the first). I had a left breast mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy. All clear margins, no node involvement. It was a small tumour - couldn't even be felt on physical exam (had been picked up in routine mammogram); Grade 2, Stage 2, estrogen positive. I was given a choice of surgery types - given my full medical history, I went with what my doctor advised as what he felt was my best option - the mastectomy with no reconstruction.

He told me that a normal course of treatment for what I had would have been radiation to the chest wall, under arm and part of the neck followed by chemo (possibly a short course only). I had previously had large dose, wide field radiation to my neck (the field went from just under my nose to level with the top of my armpit - the BC was just within this field - no one can say for sure if it did or didn't cause the BC). After my BC doctor also consulted with my other surgeon and oncologist, it was decided that I wouldn't have the radiation - if I was okay with that - I was (also have a chance of the neck cancer coming back so they really want to keep that up their sleeves for it - if I had it for the BC, they wouldn't be able to use it again). They also felt the negatives would outweigh any positives in relation to my having chemo (taking into account my whole medical history) - so no chemo. Was told it would only mean about a 2% difference for my 10 year survival rate - and given the neck cancer ( 22% for 5 year survival rate - even after all my surgeries and treatment - coming up to 4 years in August) was much worse, happy to go with this option.

I am on Tamoxifen, have had an ultra-sound and next follow up is in 2 weeks. All still going well and I am doing fine.  

 Wishing you all the best as you continue on this bumpy path - remember we all travel the same direction, just some of us may have more twists and turns then others.

Tracy xxx