Surgery Choices

Ladies, 

I have Stage1, Grade 2 breast cancer and am due to go to my pre op discussion on monday. From what i can tell i am going to be given a choice of lumpectomy and mastectomy and am after some real life advice on what will be best. i ultimatly know its got to be my decision but am finding it hard. aesthetically if its got to be taken off, then do it - i can cope with that. anyone with experience or advice please!!! I am HR positive so will have to have hormone therapy and awaiting results on the HER2. 

  •  

    Hi Blueeyedbecks,

    I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It is always difficult to reach a decision when there is a choice of treatments. Ultimately it is totally up to you, but you are doing the right thing in askingpeople here what their experiences were.

    I was first diagnosed with breat cancer 10 years ago and had another bout the following year. First time around I had a lumpectomy and Tamoxifen. A year later I had a double mastectomy followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017. I was never happy that everything had been removed initially, but felt so much happier after I had my double mastectomy. This time I felt that everything had been taken away and that I could move forward.

    In some ways, I was fortunate to have the double, as I didn't have to worry that one breast looked bigger than the other. Would you consider reconstruction if you had a mastectomy? I couldn't have one, as a result of previous non-cancer-related surgery and considerable scarring. I have a selection of different prostheses, for different purposes and, I manage well with these.

    It would be a good idea to write a list of any questions you have. Take this with you to your appointment on Monday. This way you won't forget anything important.

    I hope that all goes well for you on Monday. Don't forget to let us know what you decide and how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx