Forum Discussion

lisamarie's avatar
lisamarie
Member
13 years ago

lisamarie

Hello, my name is Lisamarie and i have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer stage 1.  On the 14th November i will undergo surgery but i am confused as to what surgery to have.  I have three lumps, in my right breast, 2 of them cancerous. I met with the surgeon the other day and she suggested a lumpectomy to remove the two but i am thinking more towards a mastectomy to lessen my chances of a recurrence in the future. Can someone possibly give me some advice if they have had a similar experience, please!

7 Replies

  • bmc's avatar
    bmc
    Member
    13 years ago

    Lisamarie, It is a personal decision that you are making and only you can make it.

     I had a mastectomy and will possibly have a reconstruction later on. My surgeon fully supported my decision of mastectomy versus lumpectomy, but was reluctant about a double mastectomy, preferring to leave that decision until some time in the future when I didn't feel so pressured because of the urgency of an operation. Almost twelve months after my mastectomy I know I have done the right thing for myself . I knew  I had to have sufficient physical and mental energy after surgery to move onto chemotherapy and herceptin and that I will feel more relaxed for further decision making when these things are completed.

    I am wishing you all the very best for next week and the time ahead.

  • lisamarie's avatar
    lisamarie
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thank you for your reply post....i really appreciate it!...It is such a hard decision but i too am leaning towards the mastectomy...maybe even a double!

    Thanks again x

  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    You need to do what feels right for YOU. I went into my first appt with my breast surgeon last November quite sure I wanted a double mastectomy. She told me all about the lumpectomy option and how she felt that would be fine considering my age, lump position etc so I went with her recommendation. Felt like I'd done the wrong thing almost immediately and have subsequently had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I now feel like I finally got back on the right "train" after getting on the wrong one initially... Lesson learned - go with my gut - it's usually right... Jenn
  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    You need to do what feels right for YOU. I went into my first appt with my breast surgeon last November quite sure I wanted a double mastectomy. She told me all about the lumpectomy option and how she felt that would be fine considering my age, lump position etc so I went with her recommendation. Felt like I'd done the wrong thing almost immediately and have subsequently had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. I now feel like I finally got back on the right "train" after getting on the wrong one initially... Lesson learned - go with my gut - it's usually right... Jenn
  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Lisa,

    I had a 2.4cm, stage 2b tumour that was grade 3 ie aggresive but I opted for a lumpectomy as my surgeon said a mastectomy wouldn't improve my chances at all. Personally I can't understand why anyone would want their breast cut off unless it was absolutely necessary but judging by the posts I've read  on this site there are a lot of women who feel differently.

    My surgeon said to me that a lot of women feel more peace of mind with a mastectomy and as Adean said it's really up to how you feel about it. But my feeling is that a mastectomy is a very very dramatic option, Obviously it's necessary in some cases but once your breast is gone, no amount of surgery is ever going to make you the same again. And it doesn't guarantee the cancer won't come back in the other breast or somewhere else in the body.  I think even if my cancer comes back and I have to get a mastectomy later, I will be glad I've kept my breast for a bit longer. But that's just how I feel. I know it's so hard making these decisions. Ask lots of questions and go with how you feel. Good luck. Janet :)