Breast Cancer Support Group
Breast cancer is a cancer that usually originates in the ducts or lobules of the breast. Symptoms of breast cancer can include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast or discharge from a nipple. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, and meet others going through...
Diagnosis almost complete but more info to come in. My first thought was double mascectomy to get it out of there. Drs. are more for lumpectomy but will let me decide. I don't know what to do.
Also, since the MD's are suggesting a lumpectomy, I assume that your cancer is in the very early stages. So, try to stay positive, I know it is hard.
Insurance companies cover reconstruction, it's the law. You will, in the end, have breasts. Silicone breasts, but breasts none the less. By the way, the new silicone does not leak and is more like a cohesive gel. You could get saline too if it still freaks you out.
I would be as agressive as possible, I can't stress that enough. WHy gamble? I know you are hurting, but focus on the positives (bigger and perkier boobs) to get you through the negatives.
I had a bi-laterial mastectomy last year without reconstruction and I don't have any regrets. My yearly mamogram showed nothing but the lump could be seen. Mine was stage two. My doctor said a least one breast has to go but he was more worried about the other because dense breast don't show up good on a mamogram. I chose to take both off. This is a hard choice to make. I go flat chested most of the time but do wear a bra some. I don't worry now. I had cancer, I dealt with it and I've moved on. Look at everything about reconstruction and also how you would deal with a flat chest. My husband wasn't turned off by my scars or flatness, he loves me. That makes all the difference in the world. Don't depend on anybody else to make this choice for you. Take care, you're not alone in this.
I wish you well with your decision. Take Care.
I've been in this cancer battle for almost 5 yrs now and have learned alot. I find most surgeons will push for lumpectomy..even when in SOME case (not all) a mastectomy would be a better options. It seems to me far to many women that had lumpectomies end up with having a 2nd and sometimes 3rd surgery due to not getting clean margins.
I didn't want to go thur several surgeries...I just wanted IT out of me & be done with it!!! But then again I had a very aggressive bc with lymph node involvement...so easy decision for me. Big factor was being told I had a VERY BAD prognosis. So I went with mastectomy even though my surgeon "pushed" me towards lumpectomy.
Push if you think about it...if women go with lumpectomy they dont' get reconstruction which is less costly for insurance companies. (HMO's) But on the other hand in all fairness many women do NOT require a mastectomy...it really depends on their personal DX. If it's a small mass and no node involvement...DCIS and caught early and able to get clean margins...I say lumpectomy is very approperate. But if you have Her2/neu bc like I did...you get as aggressive as the cancer is and hit it with everything you can!!! You BEST chance to be cured is the FIRST time around so you want to do everything you can to kick the crap out of it.
My surgeon as I mentioned pushed me to do a lumpectomy even though I have a very SERIOUS aggressive cancer but told me it was my choice..he would do what I wanted. (I had kept telling him I wanted a mastectomy...I wanted it gone from my body!) My surgeon had my so called lumpectomy scheduled but said to call him if I changed my mind over the weekend.
I called him and said I want a mastectomy and I have no doubts about it. Then he actually said "Chelee...I feel you made the best decision and that is what I was hoping you would decide to do." (So it makes me think they don't want to push you into being too aggressive because they do know our breasts are very important to our entire body imagine and how we feel.)
All this being said...I have NO idea what your dx is? If you just have DCIS...or stage 0 or stage I with NO nodes and they are able to get clean margins...and your NOT Her2/neu...lumpectomy would be very reasonable. :) You have to go with your gut...you are the one that has to live with your decision and believe me...I know it's not easy. But keep asking questions...express all your concerns and questions with your surgeon and go from there.
What is your dx...are your Her2?
Sorry this is so long but I was just trying to help because I KNOW what a difficult decision it is. But just know surgeons always push for lumpectomy...but again...that might be all you need...I don't have any backround to go by on you. But I wish you the best of luck...hang in there and keep asking questions...stay informed. Be pro-active. If there is anything we can help you with just holler.
Chelee