Hi everyone. Am newly diagnosed (2 weeks) and have a few questions. A routine mammogram has got me here with the details that a biopsy has found cancer cells. A visit to the specialist didnt tell me anymore information other than I need to have the breast off. Pathology will then tell me what I have and treatment needed. Is this normal? I thought I would know what type of cancer I had, aggressive or not, stage etc before surgery and not after??? Also, specialist only recommends having the one off. When questioning him he says their is a slightly increased risk of it coming back in the 2nd breast. I would love to hear from others who have had to make the decision of one or two off and how they came to that decision. At this point in time i am thinking of having both off so that I wont worry about it coming back but would love to hear what others have to say. Thanks in advance.

Hello,and welcome to this great online network!! I was very similar to you.i am almost 3momths past chemo now,but when I was first diagnosed!I found the lump,had a mammogram and ultrasound,then a core biopsy,then the surgeon told me it was cancer and I needed a mastectomy.After the surgery,I was referred to my oncologist,and she had all the pathology results that they do after the mastectomy.(they send it away for detailed testing) The oncologist then discusses your treatment with you.As for having both breasts removed,it is a very personal choice.I had a right mastectomy,and if I had known then,how I feel now,I would have definitely had both breasts removed.I am very small breasted,and it wouldn't have made much difference to me.I never wanted a reconstruction,so it would have just been easier.There is a lot to take into consideration,and if you are thinking about reconstruction,there is a group on here that I think would be the best place for you to get advice from.I am sure that other ladies will come on here with their opinions also,but at the end of the day,it is you that has to make such a personal choice.All the best,and stay on this fabulous network and let us know how you are travelling.Take care.xoxoRobyn

The process was fairly similar for me. I found the lump, had mammagram and ultrasound. My specialist did the biopsy (to confirm tumor was cancer and also to confirm second area was DCIS) and then recommended mastectomy. I received the pathology results a week after surgery from the surgeon. Then saw medical oncologist and radiation oncologist before further treatment. Just to be clear on one point, if you were to get cancer in your other breast this would be a totally new separate cancer not a recurrence. The cancer you have now cannot move into the other breast. Once you have had breast cancer there is a slightly increased risk of having a second cancer begin in your other breast. It is very much a personal choice about whether to have a double mastectomy and depends on many factors. I thought at one stage that I should have had a double but my surgeon was very clear that I needed to begin chemo as soon as possible. Having a second mastectomy increases your chance of complications (infection, etc) and could delay chemo if you need it. Also she said that I may feel differently about it given more time, which is absolutely true. At this stage I am glad that I did not have the other breast off (I was diagnosed in May last year and finished chemo 51/2 months ago and radiation almost 4 months ago). I have been through a lot and still have about a 20% chance of recurrence. For me at the moment, I am happy to wear a breast form on my mastectomy side and continue to recover through physio and lots of exercise. I am glad I have a 'good side' to sleep on. There is a lot to consider and weigh up before making these decisions. Many people feel that they need to do it for piece of mind. I don't feel that way as my chance of recurrence is much higher than my chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast. Get lots of information before making your decision. I hope it goes well no matter what you decide. Deanne xxx

Thank you ladies....very helpful and reassuring to hear you both had a similar start to me. Yes Deanne, I think I need to do a bit more research on one or two. Do you suggest where I can find good info about it as I am deliberately not looking at Dr Google. Had a very quick look on this sight last night but didnt find any info on it. Thanks again, Donna

My situation did not allow for a lot of time to research before i had my first surgery. I figured that it was more important to treat the life threatening cancer i had than to remove a healthy breast. As my surgeon said i could always have this done at another time or in conjunction with reconstruction if i chose. I asked my oncologist to give me the statistics as a guide. It is such a difficult decision but I wanted to base my decision on facts as much as possible. The fact is for me, removing my other breast is not going to do much to improve my odds of not getting breast cancer again. I think unless you have a high risk of getting cancer in the other breast (some people do) that you really need to think about what you will achieve by a second mastectomy. Will it give you peace of mind? Will it make a difference if you want to do reconstruction? These are questions that your surgeon may be able to help with. If in doubt don't do it now. Give yourself time to research, you can always have it done later, but once you remove your breast, even the best reconstruction will never make it the same as a real breast. If only we had a crystal ball! Best wishes and take care. Deanne xxx

Advice please... | BCNA Online Network

62 Replies

Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Well I have a bone scan and ct scan in the morning , and have an appointment with the oncologist next Monday!! So things are starting to move along. xx
TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
That's ok,sounds like you have the breast care nurse in your corner and things are progressing.You'll get there, the sooner the better.Squeaky wheel gets the oil! Tonya xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
I spoke to the breast care nurse this morning and she said that the multidisciplinary team were surprised that my lesions being Grade 1 had spread to my sentinel nodes. She said that the oncologists will give me lots of stats. And then I would have to decide on treatment. She mentioned that if I haven't heard from the oncologist by Thursday to give her a ring. Thanks for caring. Chris x
TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
In the cancer world,you have the less aggressive cancer- similar to what I had.It's a dilemma for you because you don't know if any more nodes hold cancer cells but then if you can avoid a full node clearance,that's a good thing. My arm has never felt normal since.Can you talk to a breast care nurse or see your surgeon again to talk over your concerns?Two weeks will seem a long time to worry before you see an oncologist- perhaps you can get in sooner?If it was me and I wasn't having any more nodes out then I'd want to fast track my chemo.I hope you can get peace of mind soon.Tonya xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Hi Tonya. Thanks for your info. I requested a copy of my Path. Results. I have a Grade 1. Stage 11a in one breast. A Grade 1. Stage 11b in other breast. Oestrogen positive. X2 Sentinel nodes take from each side...x1 tested micrometastases 2.2mm and the other 4mm. My surgeon said Chemotherapy was the best option...saying that auxilliary clearance came with a lot of side effects. I have tried to research the pros and cons...it is so hard. I want to give myself the best chance. Thanks for caring.x (I am Hercepton negative).
TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
There seems to be variations on sentinal node and all node removal,depending on your surgeon and your pathology.Back in 2003,my surgeon offered the sentinal node option(which was still in trial)but advised on a full node clearance because of the size of my lump(2cm).She said I had a 60%chance that it had gone to the lymph nodes.She also said there is a 5%chance that cancer cells can skip the sentinal node and be found in other nodes.So based on that info,I said take them all.No cancer cells in any of my 17 nodes! It's now common procedure to just take the sentinal node-wish I could go back in time.Some surgeons will go back in and take a few more nodes if there is cancer in the first.Others will take the whole lot.Perhaps your node pathology doesn't warrant taking any more?I think you should ask your surgeon for more specific pathology ie. was the cancer eostrogen + or -ve,Hercepton +ve or -ve?for example.Did you get a copy of the pathology?I really think he should have discussed your options and not made a decision for you,regards doing a full node clearance or not.Hope I haven't done your head in Chris- big hug if I have.Tonya xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Has anyone had only chemotherapy offered rather than auxilliary clearance after sentinel nodes were positive?
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Has anyone had only chemotherapy offered rather than auxilliary clearance after sentinel nodes were positive?
Gerbera67
Member
12 years ago
Yes, I think the waiting was the hardest bit and it is definately better knowing what your dealing with and having a plan. My surgeon didnt talk sentinal or ancillary nodes. He just said he took 18 nodes and cancer cells were found in one of them which is why it was recommended I have chemo. All scans came back clear so there is no sign of it in my bones, organs etc. for which I am thankful. Chemo for me is just a 'preventative' basically. Hugs to you too and keep your eyes on the end of the journey. :)
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
I am looking forward to speaking to the oncologist and to have a plan.....to go forward. I feel that I have been 'waiting' for so long and not really knowing what I am dealing with. My surgeon said to me that it may be only in my sentinel nodes, that he could have got it all...(having taken them out)..but the risk is...there is a good chance it is in my ancilliary nodes . and I need to do Chemo. .All my best wishes on your journey.. I hope it continues to go well for you..as you say it will be worth it in the end. Stay strong. Hugs.xx.

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