second breast cancer

pinkcarnation

On Dec 1, I was a 24 yr survival of left breast cancer.  I had a lumpectomy/chemo/rad.  On Dec 2 I was diagnosed with breast cancer right breast  8mm.  My surgeon feels this is a new cancer, surgery is Jan 7 & I have elected to have a lumpectomy again.  My surgeon says very few women have had double bilateral lumpectomies, that most women would elect to have a mast.   My surgeon says there is only a 2% difference between on a lump & mast for a recurrence.  What I'm looking for is info from any women who have had double bilateral lumpectomies....there seems to be no info out there.  Treatments have really changed over the last 24 yrs.....but I still have that same fear I had the first time.   Thank you for any information.

bevin

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/01/28/for-early-cancer-lumpectomy-beats-mastectomy-for-survival-study

Hi Pinkcarnations, I am sorry you have a second cancer and hope treatment goes well.  the article and study quoted above may help with your decisions.

For those with early stage breast cancer, "lumpectomy is just as effective if not more effective than mastectomy," said researcher Dr. Shelley Hwang, chief of breast surgery at Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, N.C.

"There are lots of women who think the more [treatment] they do, the better they will do," she said. "This refutes that."

 

Moderators

Pinkcarnation-

First, we want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for the circumstances that bring you here, but we're so very glad you've found us.

In addition to this forum, you might also want to check out our surgery forum, and more specifically, our Lumpectomy Lounge: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/.... It's large topic, over a hundred pages, but there is a lot of really great info there, and plenty of other members you can connect with you can offer some insight or advice.

Please keep posting, and let us know if there's anything we can do!

The Mods

pearlady

Pinkcarnation I have not had a double lumpectomy or mastecomy, but a very close friend of mine has.  She was originally diagnosed in 1996 and had a lumpectomy with chemo and radiation.  In 2006 she was diagnosed in her other breast with a new cancer and also had a lumpectomy.  Her Drs. recommended a mastecomy, although the cancer was Stage 11 with no lymph node involvement.  I believe the reason for the recommendation is that she is BRAC1.  She went for several opinions and only one Dr. out of the three that she saw said that a lumpectomy would be as effective, but that she would have to continually monitor due to the BRAC1.  Also, she is triple negative.  So 8 + years later and so sign of cancer.  Wishing you the best with your treatment. 

auntyj

Hi

Like you I have just had a diagnosis of a new tumour in my right breast  15 years after lumpectomy/chemo rad in the left breast. I have been told lumpectomy is as good as mastectomy but am concerned that I have a genetic predisposition ( my sister and I both had breast cancer at age 40). I did go for genetic counselling before but was told I was low risk.I am now being re referred for the blood test for brac gene.

It certainly brings back all the fear ,especially as one of my lymph nodes was affected this time and I have had to go back for axillary node clearance.I have been told if I test positive for the gene then I can have a double mastectomy.

Good luck

shorfi

Hi Auntyj...I know the fear, but I'm ok now. See my stats below. I thought I was finished with this beast, but fortunately it was a new primary in the opposite breast and I elected to get the bilateral mastectomy. I am praying that this is it for fighting. Take care.