Surgery options & decisions
I have just been recently diagnosed with early breast cancer, stage 1, grade 1. I had my first appointment, the team were great with explaining everything though I must say it’s been very overwhelming...
Forum Discussion
Welcome, we are really sorry you
need to be here but you will find it a useful place to be in a confusing time. My choice was less appealing (if you can use that term about choices none of us want to make!) between a mastectomy and a partial
mastectomy (my surgeon recommended a full mastectomy and that's what I had). If I had been offered a lumpectomy I may have jumped at it then. Now I am not quite so sure. Many women have a lumpectomy and radiation and do really well. For some the initial result is not so clear and further surgery will be required. Your surgeon may be able to give you more information to help you decide and I am sure others will be able to provide more specific advice. A mastectomy is a daunting thought but for most, relatively painless. Reconstruction is a whole topic by itself - I didn't take that path but there is a dedicated group on this site to provide you with heaps of information. It's such a lot at once to take in but take one step at a time and you will get through this. Best wishes.
need to be here but you will find it a useful place to be in a confusing time. My choice was less appealing (if you can use that term about choices none of us want to make!) between a mastectomy and a partial
mastectomy (my surgeon recommended a full mastectomy and that's what I had). If I had been offered a lumpectomy I may have jumped at it then. Now I am not quite so sure. Many women have a lumpectomy and radiation and do really well. For some the initial result is not so clear and further surgery will be required. Your surgeon may be able to give you more information to help you decide and I am sure others will be able to provide more specific advice. A mastectomy is a daunting thought but for most, relatively painless. Reconstruction is a whole topic by itself - I didn't take that path but there is a dedicated group on this site to provide you with heaps of information. It's such a lot at once to take in but take one step at a time and you will get through this. Best wishes.