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
Feeling a bit fragile this morning. Had a shower and my hair is just falling out in clumps...it is so confronting! I feel that cancer robs you of nearly everything. We all go through the treatments which have horrible side effects for some, and we really don't know the outcome for ourselves. I'm so sorry to be negative, I am sure that a lot of you wonderful ladies are doing it much tougher than I am ...but I just had to vent my feelings somewhere. I have had a very blest life..with a wonderful husband, children and grandchildren...I know that I will get through this ...but sometimes it is so HARD. I have my second cycle of chemo. tomorrow..so nearly half way there. Take care everyone. God Bless you all. Chris.xx
Deanne
Member
12 years ago
Try not to worry about radiation. It is no where near as challenging as chemo. It does not make you unwell but it can make you a bit tired especially after chemo. You basically go each weekday and lay on a table while they use a radiotherapy machine to give you radiation to any areas that may have any cancer cells left over from surgery. I had radiation to the chest wall, auxillary area and to an area near my collarbone where other lymph nodes are located. You will attend an information and planning session at some stage (I went in the last few weeks of chemo) and start radiation after chemo finishes. You will be advised on skin care as this is the main side effect of radiotherapy. Keep your skin well moisturized throughout chemo as chemo can be very drying on your skin. I used Moo Goo products which are chemical free and gentle on your skin while on chemo and radiation. They are available at some chemists. I used their body wash, shampoo, scalp cream (when I was bald), deodorant and moisturizers. Still do! Hope this helps. Take care. Deanne xxx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Well I had my first TC Chemo yesterday. No nausea yet..hope not. Woke up this morning with a red 'glowing face' ...no temp though....rang the hospital and they advised Phenergen which did the trick. The Dexamethasone has kicked in...not much sleep last night...will just nap when I need to. Hope everyone is going OK. Chris.xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Well I had my first TC Chemo yesterday. No nausea yet..hope not. Woke up this morning with a red 'glowing face' ...no temp though....rang the hospital and they advised Phenergen which did the trick. The Dexamethasone has kicked in...not much sleep last night...will just nap when I need to. Hope everyone is going OK. Chris.xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Well, 1st TC Chemo treatment over. No nausea as yet...hope not. Have woken up with a very hot..burning face..rang the hospital and took a Phernergen..which has diminished the burning feeling..otherwise I feel okay. The Dexamethasone has kicked in...not much sleep last night...so I think I will just nap as needed. Take care everyone. All best wishes. Chris x.
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for your info. I think it worked. I'm just scared of the thought of Chemo...probably the fear of the unknown...and not sure if I will have a lot of side effects. Thanks again...have a lovely weekend. Chris xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for your info. (I think it worked). Chemotherapy is a scary thing..probably the fear of the unknown...particularly the side effects. Thanks again. Chris.xx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for your info. (I think it worked). Chemotherapy is a scary thing..probably the fear of the unknown...particularly the side effects. Thanks again. Chris.xx
Deanne
Member
12 years ago
If you click on the My blog icon under your My profile box it will take you to your blog page. You then click on 'create a new post' and just type your post in. When you click to post this it will appear on the main page for everyone to see and be able to comment on. Hope you can work it out. Take care and hope chemo goes well for you. Deanne xxx
Chixon
Member
12 years ago
Not sure how to create a new blog post. No, I haven't had any response about the cold caps at all. I read somewhere that if you use a dark nail polish on your finger nails it helps protect them during Chemo!!!. I am trying to KIT myself out for things I may need. Next Friday will be my starting date. Thanks for caring. Chris.xx

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