🩺Lumpectomy or mastectomy? Understanding the options
Hi everyone, we wanted to share a helpful resource about a decision many people face after a breast cancer diagnosis, choosing between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. For many people, both lumpectomy and mastectomy are safe and effective options, with similar long term survival outcomes in early stage breast cancer. A lumpectomy removes the cancer while keeping most of the breast and is usually followed by radiation. A mastectomy removes all breast tissue and may be recommended based on medical factors such as tumour size, multiple tumours or genetic risk, or chosen based on personal preference and peace of mind. Importantly, the article highlights that this decision is not just medical. Feelings about body image, anxiety, future follow up, recovery and quality of life all matter. There is no single right choice, only the choice that is right for you 💙 If you are facing this decision, taking time to ask questions, understand your options and talk openly with your care team can help you feel more confident moving forward. If you feel comfortable, you are welcome to share what helped you make your decision or a question you found important to ask. You are not alone, and this community is here to support you. 🌱 This information is derived from an article written by Melbourne breast surgeon Dr George Chou, published on the Melbourne Breast Cancer Surgery website. You can read the full article here if you would like more detail: 💬 Questions you might want to ask your care team Many people find it helpful to write down questions before appointments. Some that may support your decision making include: Are both options medically appropriate for me? What additional treatments would follow each option? How might each choice affect my recovery and daily life? What are the long term follow up needs? How might reconstruction or going flat fit into this decision? There is no rush to have all the answers at once. It is okay to take time, reflect, and seek support. Don't forget our Helpline is here to chat through anything that might help make this easier for you - call us on 1800 500 258.
Home from surgery Ann's staying positive
I had surgery yesterday with wide lobal excision and sentinal node biopsy. No nodes removed. I am home in less than 24hrs. The amount removed was the size of an orange. Full results next week. Doing well feeling strong but weary. Just the next waiting game for the full results. Need to keep myself positive. I am in awe of all the beautiful women who have gone through this before me.
Breast Reconstruction Awareness Event - Orange
If you would like to find out about what's involved in various breast reconstruction techniques, hear from surgeons, connect with other women, and receive great information and support, come along to the BRA Event in Orange on Monday, 19th March. Details on attached flyer. You need to register in order to attend :)
Making The Breast Of It
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2015, three months before my 60th birthday. I consider myself very lucky that it was caught early, through a routine mammogram. I have had a lumpectomy and one lymph node removed (which was clear) and am shortly to start 4 weeks radiation. Every morning I wake up grateful for my early diagnosis. I am also an author of comedy fiction, and looking at the books published on breast cancer (both in bookstores and on Amazon) I noticed a marked absence of books on the lighthearted and humorous aspects of having breast cancer. So I have decided to fill that gap and write one, which I am doing at present. This is not to make light of the difficulties and emotional trauma that many people go through, but I also think we need to be able to laugh as well. It's essential for our physical and mental well-being. My book is called 'Making the Breast of It - breast cancer stories of humour and joy.' It will be a combination of my own experiences and those of as many ladies I can find who are willing to share their experiences with me from a light-hearted, positive point of view. So I am putting the call out here and if you would like your story to be included, please message me on this site or email me at [email protected]. We can talk by phone, Skype or email - whichever is better for you. (I live in Queensland). I will only use your first name and age in the book, but if you would like a pseudonym that's fine as well. My book will be published on Amazon as an e-book and also in print, and you'll get a free copy of the e-book. If you want to check me out, here's my website. http://www.storey-lines.com/ I look forward to chatting with you and have a great day - it's a beautiful spring day here on the Sunshine Coast.
Just diagnosed
Hello All, I have just been diagnosed with TNBC. I had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago followed by a sentinel node biopsy and re-excision margin on Monday. It is comforting to see I am not alone in all of this. I go back to the Breast Surgeon on Thursday for the results and yes the waiting is the worst for me, my husband, family and friends. It is so helpful and reassuring to read positive information and from this I have kept positive and will continue to do so.........so thank you all!!! Jo
Staying positive
First of all, thank you to all the women who have posted. This has been very helpful in understanding what is going on as general research has been scary so I am constantly uplifted by the stories I have read from these brave, strong women. I also have stage 3 tnbc, have had lumpectomy and going for my second chemo today. Had a really rough time over the last three weeks with plummeting neutrophils and complications from recently diagnosed diverticulitis which combined put me in hospital for a week. I am 43, no children, and live remotely so have had to relocate to cairns to be closer to hospital for this next round. Have had just a little nausea, thank goodness, but the fatigue and bone pain and gut pain has been intense and have only had a couple of good days leading up to my next treatment. If there is anyone out there in far North QLD who also has tnbc would love to hear from them...I feel very far removed from anyone else with this. Thank you again for posting, nice to know am not alone.
