New diagnosis!!

wildrumara

Hi everyone - I am a 42-year-old, wife and mother of three just diagnosed last week.  Had appointment with breast surgeon today.  Here is what I know of my diagnosis.  Two masses.  One lesion is IDC, 1.5 cm, ER/PR+, HER2 -, and the other mass 8 mm, DCIS, with  no "obvious" lymph node involvement.   Family history of breast cancer with my mom, diagnosed at 74 and my mom's sister diagnosed in her late 50s and her subsequent death at the age of 70 from the disease.  Other positive cancer diagnoses made in my mom's mom diagnosed with colon cancer in her 80s, my mom's two brothers, prostate and pancreatic cancer, both diagnosed in their late 60s. My uncle with pancreatic cancer died a few years back.   Two second cousins (mom's side) diagnosed in their 50s with breast cancer.  I am the youngest in my family ever to be diagnosed with cancer.  At appointment today, doc scheduled, MRI, PET scan, genetic counseling, BRAC blood test, appt to talk to oncologist, and appt with plastic surgeon.  He told me that I will probably need a mastectomy, but wants to me to talk to onco about chemo before surgery, with possible lumpectomy.  That will all depend on results of tests, obviously.  At this point, I feel like I want to have both breasts removed.  I've read lots of stories and I know that it is a very personal decision.  I know that my doctor is probably going to suggest I not do that, especially if MRI comes back negative for the other breast.  I am just curious as to what some of you think I should do.....even if all results come back negative, is going radical the way to go on someone of my age and family history???   My attitude is very good.  I am in the medical field so I am very educated on the disease and I am ready for the battle ahead.  I don't want to make a decision based on fear.  I know I need to take one day at a time and make decisions one step at a time, based on information that we glean as the weeks go on.  Any thoughts on what I have said so far and as to what you might think be the best course of action.....knowing what I know now??

Wendyspet

I did the BMX, but mine was Grade 3 and Her2 positive.  I felt that waiting for the biopsy results was the worst thing ever, and I couldn't imagine going through that again.  Although I did start to change my mind after I first made my decision.  Docs supported me either way.

My problem was that my cancer was very close to my nipple, and my surgeon said getting margins might 'kill' my nipple.  Also, since I was her 2 positive, I knew I would have chemo.  So continuing on with the radiation schedule was one more treatment I wanted to avoid.

This would have been a really hard decision for me if I didn't have those factors.  There are lots of threads here discussing these choices and I am sure others will post.  Good luck, and take your time deciding.

StillKicking

My diagnosis was very similiar to yours, DCIS, .9 cm, family history of breast and other cancers.  Mother passed of breast cancer.  I elected to have a double mast. based on family history and the DCIS (Stage 0) was all over one breast.  No chance of lumpectomy.

I was 48 at the time and not involved with anyone.  While my BS was against removing the other breast, I was determined to have both removed and move on.  After the surgery the pathology report indicated no node involvement, but a small amount of invasive cancer was identified, so moved to Stage 1.  BS said I made the right choice after all.

I couldn't have immediate reconstruction because of my weight and smoking.  Three years later still haven't had it done.  I am very comfortable with my choice.  The side affects from the chemo and Arimidex are a lot more trouble than the mastectomy ever was. 

jancie

You have time to make a decision.  My first gut reaction was to "cut them off" and after a couple of weeks decided that lumpectomy and radiation was the better choice for me.

However, I was Grade 1 and I believe the grade  should be a factor in making your decision as to what treatment you should do.

survivor11

I was diagnosed at 39 and for me the choice was pretty easy. I have three small boys (all under age of 10) and I was determined to do everything in my power to be there for my boys. I kept telling my docs that they were going to get one good shot at me so they had better do everything they were going to do to me at once, cause I needed to move on with my life. It has not been an easy journey but I am very comfortable with my choice. Have TE to implant exchange at end of Sept and just yesterday was officially clear of cancer.

Good luck with your choice, it is really you and you alone that can make it. Look to your heart to tell you which path to take.

momoftwo526

For each and every one of us, this is a very personal decision and what is right for one may not be right for the other. My cancer was stage 1, grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-. I have an extensive family history (Mother, sister, 2 aunts and 5 first cousins with BC; Sister with skin cancer, brother with prostate cancer, sister with leukemia).  I have had other biopsies and scares and just wanted to be done.  My cancer was/is invasive lobular, which is very different than ductal.  I chose to have BMX because I was tired of being scared and waiting for the other shoe to fall.  I had my surgery on July 21st and now have TE's.  I will not have to go through chemo.  My pathology report after the surgery showed both the cancer breast and the non-cancer breast with pre-cancerous cells and lobular and ductal hyperplasia.  I believe my decision was the right one for me even though I still have 1 drain 6 weeks post op, I have had an infection and now have a seroma on the side with no drains left! 

You have some time to think about it.  Do some research, talk to your Drs and your family.  Pray about it!  In the end, you need to be at peace with your decision!

Good Luck!

Phyllis

KSteve

Wildrumara - I was 44 years old when I was diagnosed almost one year ago (you can see my particilars about my diagnosis below).  No family history. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy (BMX) from the beginning and never waivered in my decision.  Even though I my chemo completely destroyed the tumor and the cells in my lymph nodes, I still feel like it was the right choice for me.  I have never looked back and don't regret doing what I did.  The bottom line is that it is your choice and yours alone.  You will figure out what it right for you.  Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and are really thinking straight.  Good luck with your journey!

Take care,

Kathy

Kathy

etherize

Hi Wildrumara, from my understanding, it's only first degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter and grandmother on either side) being diagnosed with BC that contribute to your risk factors.

Even then, I'm not sure being in one's 70's "counts" as strongly as a risk factor ... but you can check on that.  A friend of mine whose mother died of breast cancer was told her risk wasn't greater than average because her mother was diagnosed in her 70's.    

Other cancers, such as prostate, pancreatic, etc. in relatives don't count, except to make one aware of what a cancer diagnosis can entail ...!   (My mother died of esophageal cancer and my dad died of kidney cancer, but no doctors have been particularly interested in that as a risk factor.) 

Of course you'll want to follow up and do your own research to verifiy what I've said, but this is my understanding from talking with my breast cancer nurse, and from my research.

If I am correct, you can at least cross those things off your list when you make your decision. Hugs and good thoughts coming your way ... I had a hard time deciding, too.

mdg

I am sorry you got diagnosed.....and joined us.  I am glad you found this website though.  It has been a huge help to me since my diagnosis in December.  I am 45 and a mom of a 5 year old.  I was stage 1 and decided on a BMX.  I also had to make a choice on chemo - so I chose chemo.  I knew I wanted to treat this as aggressively as I could.  My surgeons offered me a lumpectomy or mastectomy.  No one judged me or tried to steer me one way or the other.  I am happy with my decision.  I did immediate reconstruction with tissue expander and got my permanent implants in late June.  I also used cold  caps to keep my hair.  I have most of it....it's a lot thinner to my normal pre chemo hair, but it looks "normal" to other people.  My son never had to see me look sick or know what chemo was.  Life has gone on pretty normal for him which is what I wanted.  I know it is hard to make these decisions....once you make the decisions, you will feel better.  Take it one step at a time.  If you have any questions I can help with, feel free to private message me.  I am happy to help since I have been there.....Best of luck to you. Hugs!