Dcis

Oh Jenv I'm so sorry to hear your cancer is back but so happy that you made and stood by your original decision. Hearing this makes my decision easier and more validated day by day. I wish you the very best for your recovery - may I ask is it back in your right breast? Xxx

My original cancer, DCIS, 17 years ago, resulted in a left mastectomy, radiation and tamoxifen...the surgeon argued with me 3 times just to do a lumpectomy and i said no i don't want to have to come back, so mastectomy it was...the surgeon later came back to me and apologised as the cancer was also under and around my nipple...so when in doubt, take a stance and make them listen...needless to say my cancer is back but thts a whole other 'kettle of fish'.

Thank you Cath and Kath for sharing your stories, great results for both of you thankfully.  You summed it up for me Kath, small price to pay for piece of mind, and yes, Cath, my instincts are guiding me and the more I hear everyone's stories on here the more it's becoming clearer for me, so bless you all and thank you thank you

I didn't have dcis but a small invasive breast cancer (which was aggresive) which could have been dealt with a lumpectomy but I chose mastectomy and with a sucky family history and dense breasts hiding the cancer I chose a bilateral with immediate reconstruction. This was done in the public system by a breast surgeon and I have had excellent results. The surgeon actually suggested the bilatetal. I would have needed big surgery on remaining breast to match it anyway so couldn't see the benefit of keeping it.

I told the surgeon my concerns regarding local  recurrence, my desire to avoid radiotherapy if possible and my fear of a second primary with my family history. I told him straight up I didn't  want a lumpectomy  (I live 500k from nearest radiotherapy centre )

Do know you will lose most sensation in your chest skin and nipple. I have sensation of very light touch but certain areas...like where I needed skin reduction are completely numb. For me it was a small price to pay for peace of mind. It has impacted on intimacy but you do adjust.

Kath. 

Hi @Caseypinto, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and had a tumour that was 2.7cm. At that point in time I just wanted it out!! It was thought that it was a very aggressive cancer so I decided to have a mastectomy - due to the site of the tumour I was able to have a nipple and skin sparing mastectomy with immediate recon using implant. I also  had sentinel node biopsy done with 4 nodes removed. Turns out mine was a grade 1, clear margins, no node involvement, hormone positive. So tamoxifen no chemo and no radiotherapy due to mastectomy. They did discover a satellite from the main tumour but that turned out to be benign - even still I'm pretty happy that I chose mastectomy because I would be worried about that satellite and would wonder how long before it turned on me!!! You will make the right decision for you and you will use the information that you gather to help you in that decision. It is hard, but go with your gut. Instincts are there for a reason. Wishing you all the best. Xx Cath

Yes to having mastectomy..i did not want to have rads..but i had no node involvement and intermed grade but did have comedo medo necrosis
 but should have had double. Mainly for comfort

What all of us with bc have to take on board is that bc whatever type we are diagonised with can be unpredictable
Sorry not all good news went 4 years with all clear..its very rare but sometimes dcis does metastise....to my lungs 
Hormone positive so on AI letrozole for 11 months and stable..all good so far no rads no chemo so side effects of drug have been minimal. Next followup with onc will probably ask for I brance as this is wonder drug for hormone positive
Right from outset i wanted mastectomy but from diagnosis to surgery was two weeks so not much time to dwell.
All best B

Hi bright space, not sure about comedy necrosis but no node involved as it was still high grade and not invasive. 
Are you happy with your decision?

Hi Casey
 Dcis has some intreresting treatment protocols 
Did you have comedo necrosis in your path report?. 
How many nodes were involved?

I chose mastectomy as ihad no node involvement

Thank you Melinda, you've really helped me xxx

Oh absolutely, and I think everyone has different opinions and of course as to what would suit them as individuals. It's the thing of there really is no right or wrong, only what you believe to be true for you. Gee I would never say it was chicken to have the M at all, quite the opposite. All of it, every little step you face requires a bravery because it's unknown to you, but you'll definitely make the right decision for you and that is the ONLY thing that matters. Yes I've done an enormous amount of research along the way :) xx