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Mez_BCNA's avatar
Mez_BCNA
Community Manager
2 years ago

Newly Diagnosed - surgery and treatment pathway

Moderator moved @Kaz64 from activity section to 'Newly Diagnosed':

After a routine mammogram and 2 follow up needle biopsies, last week I was diagnosed with a high grade DCIS & a grade 3 14mm invasive carcinoma er+/pr+/her- in the same breast. It is the first time I don’t want to be in the highest grades!!! 🙃. My next appointment is with a breast surgeon later this week. I intend have my treatment through the public system which will probably be at Peter Mac Moorabbin. I have some private health cover but doubt I could afford to use it because of all the out of pocket costs. I am also a strong believer in the public system. Against all the usual advice, I googled the senior breast surgeon I will be seeing for first appointment to find only one google review stating that unless you go private this specialist will have zero care factor😔. I gather this specialist is the one that sets the course for your future treatment even though they may not be the actual surgeon if you go through the public system?? I am now nervous about time it might take to see another breast surgeon if this meet doesn’t go well or I think I need a 2nd opinion. Is it even possible to go to a second breast specialist given that breastscreen only provided one specialist kit? Does anyone have any recommendations for a patient focused breast surgeon in Melbourne - preferably south east. I have been advised that my expected course at this stage would be an MRI followed by surgery to take (at least ?) the lumps & some lymph nodes. I have had other symptoms that suggests it may have spread further. Is it possible/likely I may get a Pet scan. If so would that normally be done before or after the initial diagnostic surgery?