How do I choose a doctor?

mommaof4boysk

I was just diagnosed with Stage 2, non-invasive breast cancer.  I am sure you all know what a whirlwind feeling that is!  I am 46 years old and have 4 boys ages 19, 18, 11 and 9.  I homeschool the younger two.  I have 2 sisters and a paternal aunt who have had breast cancer also.  I do plan to have genetic testing done to see if my cancer is genetic.  My plan is to have a double mastectomy.   Both of my sisters had lumpectomies and the cancer returned within a year and they had to go back for mastectomies.  I am not having that happen to me.  

My main question right now is HOW DO I CHOOSE A SURGEON?  I have two that have been recommended: Dr. Ruth Hetland and Dr. Joel Yellin (both in Rochester, NY).  The doctor at the Elizabeth Wende Breast Center gave me these names.  I do not care if I see a man or a woman.  

Any suggestions?  I really don't know where to start.  I have always been very healthy and only seen a doctor regularly when I was pregnant.   

eulabt

Hi,

I am from Rochester as well. I had my surgery 3 years ago and highly recommend Dr. Christopher Caldwell. He is very hard to get into, but I think he is the best. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. I also had reconstruction and would be happy to share my experience.

Eula

SpecialK

Sorry that you find yourself here - the club nobody wants to join.  This site is full of great people who will help you through this.  First - if your cancer is non-invasive I am thinking you might mean grade 2?  Staging is not usually done until after surgery, and there is no such animal as a stage 2 non-invasive cancer.  This is confusing, and a really common error - especially in the fog of new diagnosis.  Here are links to that info:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/cell_grade

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging

Also, it is important to note that having a mastectomy does not completely erase the risk of a recurrence in the breast - a tiny percentage of breast tissue is left behind and some women do have recurrences there.  I am not trying to frighten you, just let you know that having a bi-lateral mastectomy does not take your risk to zero.  Lumpectomy does indeed have a greater chance of local recurrence, but when combined with radiation, not by much.  I am sorry your sisters had recurrence that caused more surgery.

As far as choosing a surgeon - for me it was important to have an oncological breast surgeon - not a general surgeon.  I wanted someone who just did breast surgery.  I would research what type of surgery you want, and whether you want immediate reconstruction with expanders, direct-to-implant, or no reconstruction at all.  Talk to both surgeons and see who you feel most comfortable with, and what they suggest.  Keep in mind that if you do want reconstruction, that you will have a much longer relationship with the plastic surgeon.  You see the breast surgeon a couple of times before surgery, and a few times afterward, and that is about it.  My relationships with my plastic surgeon and oncologist have been ongoing.