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Surgery Decision
Hi, I'm 40 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple positive cancer in my left breast in December last year. The core biopsy showed an invasive carcinoma associated with solid DCIS with lobular...
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Hi @BecMoylan
Well done for advocating for yourself on the biopsy - sorry to hear it was cancer, but great that you could get onto it early.
I had dense breasts. I was diagnosed with LCIS (lobular neoplasia) in both breasts after biopsies and clips on both sides and put on an annual mammogram screening regimen for surveillance. Unfortunately, within two years I had developed a stage 2 triple positive invasive cancer - but ductal (not lobular).
I completed 6 rounds of TCHP, followed by surgery and then subcutaneous Herceptin and Tamoxifen (anti-hormone).
For surgery, I had a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy in May 2024. I requested this due to:
- having dense breasts (difficult to pick up abnormalities in screening),
- bilateral LCIS (abnormalities on both sides, even though only invasive cancer on one side)
- my age of 47 (I hope to be around for quite a few more years)
- peace of mind (I don't want to have to repeat chemo/targeted therapy a second time)
I also went direct to implants, as I didn't have enough flesh for DIEP flap, so I will need repeat surgery in 10-15 years time. The skin sparing mastectomy meant my nipples were removed (as my cancer was only 1cm from the nipple) - I had the other nipple removed also for symmetry and peace of mind.
I went through the private system and my surgeon agreed with my request. She did also explain that most (but not all) breast tissue is removed in a mastectomy, so you can still have a recurrence - hopefully your surgeon has gone through that with you.
Happy to answer any questions you might have - feel free to ask.
Well done for advocating for yourself on the biopsy - sorry to hear it was cancer, but great that you could get onto it early.
I had dense breasts. I was diagnosed with LCIS (lobular neoplasia) in both breasts after biopsies and clips on both sides and put on an annual mammogram screening regimen for surveillance. Unfortunately, within two years I had developed a stage 2 triple positive invasive cancer - but ductal (not lobular).
I completed 6 rounds of TCHP, followed by surgery and then subcutaneous Herceptin and Tamoxifen (anti-hormone).
For surgery, I had a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy in May 2024. I requested this due to:
- having dense breasts (difficult to pick up abnormalities in screening),
- bilateral LCIS (abnormalities on both sides, even though only invasive cancer on one side)
- my age of 47 (I hope to be around for quite a few more years)
- peace of mind (I don't want to have to repeat chemo/targeted therapy a second time)
I also went direct to implants, as I didn't have enough flesh for DIEP flap, so I will need repeat surgery in 10-15 years time. The skin sparing mastectomy meant my nipples were removed (as my cancer was only 1cm from the nipple) - I had the other nipple removed also for symmetry and peace of mind.
I went through the private system and my surgeon agreed with my request. She did also explain that most (but not all) breast tissue is removed in a mastectomy, so you can still have a recurrence - hopefully your surgeon has gone through that with you.
Happy to answer any questions you might have - feel free to ask.