is surgery a must nomatter what stage breast cancer

jessicaellingson4life

im 33 and was diagnosed with breast cancer do all breast cancer patients have to hve surgery

Beachbum1023

Jessica, every cancer is different, and a lot depends on what you have to begin with. The end result we all want is cancer free, and at your age I would see what they recommend and go from there. Have you seen a breast surgeon yet, or the MO? What tests have you completed? It is important to have all of the info to have a treatment plan in place. The waiting is the worst of this. It's all hurry up and then wait. Let us know how it all goes!

Holeinone

Jessica, there is a women that used to post on the alternative threads. She did not have her tumor removed.

Surgery is pretty easy. A lumpectomy is much easier than a mascetomy. Reconstruction can be a long process.

Is there a reason you would not want it out,? I had surgery 7 days after my biopsy

NineTwelve

Not all breast cancer patients get surgery. If you are diagnosed at stage IV, they will tell you "the horse is out of the barn" and there is no point in removing your original tumor. Be thankful if surgery is an option for you - it could be worse!

Whatever you decide, I hope you keep coming back to the board for support and information. It is a wonderful place.

Holeinone

I thought about my line, "surgery was pretty easy". I meant for me. My lumpectomy was easy. The lymph node dissection takes forever to feel normal again.

If you read the different threads, it's the reconstruction that sometimes is troublesome.

I agree with 9-12

MusicLover

There is also a doctor who does laser surgery, personally I don't know any details but here is a discussion on it:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/826513?page=1#post_4228366

After reading so many stories on here and knowing of stories from friends and such, if I could go back in time, I would be aggressive as possible. Best wishes to you.