Did anyone diagnosed with early breast cancer (invasive) decide not to have any surgery/treatment? This probably sounds crazy to most of you, but I’m struggling to agree to any of the options being offered to me after recently being diagnosed. I’m 40 and due to an existing long term issue I already have chronic pain in almost all of my body which causes fatigue and zaps all of my energy - I don’t have the strength to go through this as well. I don’t have the “I’m going to fight this” energy that others seem to, I’m already completely exhausted.

We really do not want to do this stuff. I think @Afraser is on the money with the advice about the mastectomy, assuming that is even suggested for you. If doing nothing is likely to kill you, a mastectomy has the potential to remove the cancer if it seems to be confined to your breast and avoids a situation where you have a lumpectomy and find further surgery is recommended. Which means making, or resisting, more decisions. It means committing yourself to one action which--depending on your diagnosis--may give you the best chance of survival.Losing a boob is horrible but, physically, the anaesthetic and drains are the worse part. There may be a bit of puddling around while you heal, but, if you can get your head around the concept, it's probably the least intrusive action.I personally know three ladies who, for a variety of reasons, have decided not to undergo any treatment. Two of them are really struggling to cope with the idea of a toxic tit and associated cancer still attached to their bodies and, in my opinion, are having a tougher time of it than they would have if they had removed the breast. The other doesn't give a hoot and is just living her life. I guess it depends on your temperament and view of the world. Marg xxx

@Outra, hi and welcome. What a hard decision to have to make.There are so many treatments that are available, that vary in side effects and long term issues, that you need to take them one step at a time.The overwhelming nature of a breast cancer diagnosis can stun you into blankness.Depending on the grade, stage and nature of your cancer, many options are open to you and you get to choose which ones you will go through, though the specialists seem to assume you will go through them all, as I have/am without question.Having been through mastectomy, I think that is the least difficult of the options to deal with physically, it opens up its own issues of finding clothes, especially if you only have one off, but could be all you need.In order to make your choice you really need a lot of information and this can be difficult to process to start with.I used a psychologist at the Cancer Centre near me to process my decision on whether to remove one breast or two ( only one apparently had cancer) They were very helpful in steering me out of the mess of emotions and getting me to focus on what would ultimately make my decision.I was going through an angry stage where I was highly likely to cut my nose off to spite my face!The Psychologist was free.Unlike the specialists who focus one the one area, the psychologist was helpful in dealing with all areas of treatment and my feelings about them. They also allow one hour and I didn't feel rushed in the appointment, unlike appointments with most of the specialists.I also could come back several times to work on the problem.The decision doesn't have to be treatment or no treatment, it can be picking and choosing what treatment will be the most benefit with the least amount of damage to your already compromised body.I hope you can work out what you really want to do in this shitty situation, with as much information as you can. It really isn't fair, is it?

Hi @Outra, I'm 63 and have feared chemo because I believed it would kill me. I supported many friends thru gruelling treatments, all to no avail. But none of them had breast cancer. I always said to myself I'd have an immediate mastectomy if I got breast cancer. I was not afraid of radiation. I had it all covered, just in case the unbelievable happened. My breasts are so small mammograms were never an option. 2 years ago my regular ultrasound said nothing to worry about. In May I had another ultrasound and had 2 locally advanced tumours in my right breast. I said great, take both my breasts off and I'll get cute little implants.They said I was INOPERABLE. I'd never heard such a thing.They said my only option was chemo. No ifs, buts or maybe's.I didn't feel that I had any choices at all to make. No one suggested anything else. I was now watching the tumours pull my tiny breast out of shape. I started chemo within weeks, terrified beyond belief but trying to appear brave and nonchalant. That was in June, I've still got another 5 weeks to go. It hasn't killed me but most surely has changed every aspect of me. I grieve for my old life and wonder who I will be at the end of all this? I thought I had a good perspective on life already. Due to the dreamlike nature of (my) chemo, time passes unnoticed. I can't remember yesterday. Mostly, I feel like I've been pushed off the merry-go-round and need some time to recover before getting back on.If I had been given options things might have turned out differently.I still don't know what the breast surgeon is planning.I will definitely be taking a statistician with me when I have my visit with the radiologist.I am curious to know of your options and what you choose.I wish you all the best, whatever path you go down.CheersPatsy

Hi Outra, sorry you're in this position. What treatment has been suggested so far. I'm sure there is someone out there that has declined treatment but I guess the outcome may not be favorable. Only you can decide what is best for you. You're only young still and maybe treatment may not be as bad as you expect. Sorry I'm not much help but I wish you all the best.

@outra I think it depends on your diagnosis, I know through both of mine I thought hmmm I dont have the energy either time. I have fibromyalgia, diagnosed over 10yrs ago, but its never stopped me from much, incredibly hard you bet!!! So I really think you need your complete diagnosis to make a decision. I had very aggressive treatment for DCIS in 2011, radiation and tamoxifen for 4yrs and I still had a recurrence in the same spot. Scary!! So I think now, what if I hadnt done anything back then, Id hate to think what would have happened. I did have to have Chemo in 2015 which I was so against and this year opted for a single mastectomy/diep flap recon. Ive been happy with my path so far its so personal honestly, and only you know what is best for you. I think I have peace in knowing for me, Ive done everything I can, there isnt anything more now. All the best xx Melinda

No treatment or surgery | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@outra I think it depends on your diagnosis, I know through both of mine I thought hmmm I dont have the energy either time. I have fibromyalgia, diagnosed over 10yrs ago, but its never stopped me from much, incredibly hard you bet!!! So I really think you need your complete diagnosis to make a decision. I had very aggressive treatment for DCIS in 2011, radiation and tamoxifen for 4yrs and I still had a recurrence in the same spot. Scary!! So I think now, what if I hadnt done anything back then, Id hate to think what would have happened. I did have to have Chemo in 2015 which I was so against and this year opted for a single mastectomy/diep flap recon. Ive been happy with my path so far its so personal honestly, and only you know what is best for you. I think I have peace in knowing for me, Ive done everything I can, there isnt anything more now. All the best xx Melinda
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Hi Outra, sorry you're in this position. What treatment has been suggested so far. I'm sure there is someone out there that has declined treatment but I guess the outcome may not be favorable. Only you can decide what is best for you. You're only young still and maybe treatment may not be as bad as you expect. Sorry I'm not much help but I wish you all the best.

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No treatment or surgery

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