Can't Decide Between Lumpectomy or BM(x)
Age: 51
IDC stage 1 (possible2) right breast
Estrogen Positive
Tomorrow, I see my breast surgeon again, and I am supposed to share with him if I want to go for a Lumpectomy or mastectomy. If I did a mastectomy, I would do a double mastectomy.
I have been thinking and thinking. In one way, it would be easier to do a lumpectomy. However, the radiation doesn't thrill me; I would also worry if I got it all.
Double Mastectomy would make me feel like I gave it my best shot and not so much follow-up.
I have very bad anxiety and depression, and I take meds. So that is also factored into my decision. I am currently leaning toward Double Mastectomy but worried about the recovery.
Any advice, comments, suggestions.
Comments
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Hi @nilespark44 -
First of all, KNOW that whatever decision you make for YOU…it is the RIGHT decision. No one but you knows how you will feel. Others (like me) can only tell you their experiences. What was the right decision for me, may or may not be the right decision for you. This is one of those 'gut' decisions. What is your gut telling you?
I have been dxd twice. The first time I did a single mx with delayed reconstruction. I was dxd again 19 years later and had a mx on the other side with recon. For me, it was the right decision at the time. Once I made it, I had no regrets. Could a double mx the 1st time have prevented me getting it again? Maybe. Maybe not. We just don't have a crystal ball. So, we think it through, we make a decision and once made it is absolutely the RIGHT decision for you.
Listen to your gut. Your decision WILL BE the correct decision regardless of what happens in the future.
Hang in there. Best of luck to you.
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mandy23, thank you. That was just what I needed to hear. The best decision for me. thank you.
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@nilespark44, we know this decision can be very difficult. We wanted to point you to a very helpful discussion here called Considerations: Lumpectomy with Radiation vs. Unilateral Mastectomy vs. Bilateral Mastectomy which helps you undersand the benefits and drawbacks and questions you should be asking yourself in this decision.
Additionally, our page on Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy may be helpful.
We hope you come to your decision with confidence clarity! Let us know what you decide, and we'll all be here to support you!
—The Mods
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Hi,
I had mastectomy with no reconstruction twice.
2020 I had left mastectomy with no recon.
2023 I had right mastectomy with no recon.
I was 50 when I had my right mastectomy.
Both times I had DCIS.
I wish I had double mastectomy in 2020 if time can go back. As at that time the right breast also had ADH and I had lumpectomy on my right breast. Anyway I am happy that I did not have reconstruction. But it's me. Everyone has their own opinion of whether or not have reconstruction after mastectomy. No right or wrong answer.
You will need to listen to yourself and any decision is right for you.
I was worried about the recovery before my first mastectomy but it turned out really not that bad. I recoved in 2 weeks and went back to work in 3rd week. No pain. But that's a single mastectomy. Double mastectomy you might need more time healing.
Good luck and you will be fine!
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Niles, the decision is probably already made so I’m just wondering whether anyone referred you for genetic counseling. Even without strong family history, if testing is suggested and significant mutations are found, you may want to alter follow-up procedures & inform others.
Almost too much to consider when facing choices like this. My motto has been “Be confident that the path you’re taking is due to selecting the best option with the information you had available at the time”. Hope your surgery goes well with an easy recovery!
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Hi, I was diagnosed with In Situ DCIS (estrogen & progesterone positive) I had a lumpectomy on my r side and have an expander in place for my radiation treatments.
There is a mass on the left side they will remove next round of surgery in the fall after I have recovered from the radiation. they couldn’t get it out successfully this past surgery. I chose the lumpectomy because my cancer was caught early and I’m 52. I do have an implant (I chose to also have a reduction with my reconstruction surgery) in my left breast and will have reconstruction to match it in the fall when they go back in to remove expander and the mass on the L side. I hope you feel better with all of the insights and can make a decision that works FOR YOU. 💕
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When I was diagnosed, a friend who was a breast cancer survivor and a surgical nurse told me that if I had the option, told me to pick the lumpectomy. I did & have never regretted it. I wanted to get back to my 'normal' life as soon as possible, which I could do with a lumpectomy. A mastectomy is a major surgery with a longer recovery time, more potential for complications. And if you opt for reconstruction, that's a multi-step process with more medical procedures, down-time, and uncertain results. I believe that someone who has a lumpectomy with radiation actually has a lower chance of recurrence than someone who has a mastectomy without radiation.
I don't really know of anyone who has gotten their ovaries out as part of breast cancer treatment unless there was a genetic component involved.
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I listened to experiences, the doctor's information and I made the decision for myself. I was provided information in form of statistics for recurrence and long term survival rates, how a mastectomy improves by how many % the chance for recurrence versus a lumpectomy. Same with long term survival rates. First, decided against genetic testing, but had the blood drawn, canceled the testing, but called to have it done the next day. Did the OB/GYN genetic testing. Then there was the oncology genomic testing from the tissues taken at the time of surgery. Now I have the question what a 0.9 difference between HER2 9.8 (negative) versus HER2 10.7 (positive) means. My progesterone is a low +5% and I learned that doctors like to see a higher number. Still do not know why. I feel that it comes down to trusting my doctors, evaluating my options and making my educated decisions and asking questions when I have one. I am very fortunate to have studied Mindfulness, helps with staying present as it gets scary. The Force be with us:-) Namaste.
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