Diagnosed in July. Surgery in August. Confused

Leees

Hi. I'm 44 years old and I was diagnosed with IDC in early July after a routine screening. I've been going for almost 10 years, since my mother was diagnosed. This was the first year my doctor included an u/s. The u/s is what picked it up. The biopsy confirmed it.

All I know is that it's grade 1, and so far stage1 (< 1cm), ER/PR + and HER2 -, and they are confident that it hasn't spread to the lymph nodes but obviously won't know for sure until surgery. Surgery is scheduled the last week of August.

I've opted for a mastectomy but now am trying to decide whether I want prophylactic at the same time. I don't think I'm high risk but I haven't had genetic testing yet. The only person in my family (other than a cousin of my mother) to have breast cancer was my mother. And hers was not aggressive that I remember (she passed away last year so I can't ask her).

My surgeon and family doctor are great and haven't pressured me one way or the other. But i do need to make a decision soon. I'm trying to do that based on logic rather than emotion. My first instinct when I was diagnosed was "Take them both off!". But is that right for me? My husband is very supportive of whatever I decide so I'm very lucky there. I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 17th because I have more questions about risk, etc.

I've opted to NOT have immediate reconstruction. At least I'm positive about that part.

I'm not afraid of the cancer. I'm afraid of making a decision I'll regret.

cive

Any decision you make you may regret, that's life. Any particular choice does not guarantee any particular outcome, unfortunately luck plays a role. That said, just let your options simmer, not boil, until you speak with your surgeon and you may find your decision has actually already been made in your gut. Good luck my friend.

farmerlucy

It sounds to me like you are being remarkably level-headed about everything. Since you've already decided not to do immediate reconstruction, you could also decide do the other side later, with or without reconstruction. That way you have a chance to see how you feel about things. I did screening for almost twenty years, and had long decided to do a BMX if anything came up. Best wishes for a successful surgery. I found it extremely comforting to join the surgery group here for the month I was having surgery. It really helped me get prepared.

Moderators

Leees,

We just wanted to welcome you to our amazing Community. As you can already see, we are an incredible source of support and advice -- we are all here for you as you make these tough decisions.

In the end, the decision is yours, with the help and advice from your medical team -- as well as the many knowledgeable and helpful members who post here!

We look forward to hearing more from you, and following your journey!

--The Mods

NancyD

I agree with farmerlucy. If you plan on delayed reconstruction, the "good" breast can be removed then, after you've had some time to think about it and possibly have genetic testing.

I had a BMX and chose delayed reconstruction (DIEP). After a year and a half flat it took considerable work by my PS to remove hardened scar tissue. So there's that to consider.

Also, there is no feeling left in your breasts with any reconstruction, so some women want to leave a natural one on, especially if they have strong sexual stimulation through their breasts.

Symmetry is another issue with a unilateral recon. Ask to see the PS's photos of previous recons of the type you choose.

leftduetostupidmods

I understand perfectly what you're going through. My initial diagnosis was 10 cm DCIS but I chose prophilactic for the other breast as i didn't want to go through that scare again. Post-surgery pathology proved that I was right.

Now, i don't say "this is what you must do", you make your own choice. I am just saying that I understand where you are.

Also, as NancyD said, think very well, once you take it off, it's gone. I was able to have skin-sparing, but lost both my nipples. I regained sensation on my skin after a couple years, but those nipples are gone. And it's not the same.

Leees

That's a good way to put it. No matter what I choose, I'll regret something. And yes, I can always do it later if I want or need to. Tough decisions. But I know in the end I'll be stronger.

radgal

Hi there,

Sorry that you get to be a member of the big C club.

Last July, I was diagnosed with IDC and had my surgery on 8-25-2016.

Our tumor pathologies appear to be similar.

Mentally, I went through the gamut of options -- bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (Angelina Jolie made it seem so easy), unilateral mastectomy, lumpectomy or do nothing.

I learned about intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) with lumpectomy and that is what I had done. I am sooo grateful I did have that done. Basically, my breast surgeon did a lumpectomy and then, during surgery, the radiation oncologist administered 20 minutes of radiation directly to the tumor bed. Once my surgery was over, that was it.

I am grateful that I had a lumpectomy and IORT. These forums helped me a lot with my decision.

Meet my surgeon discussing the procedure:

http://drholmesmd.com/breast-cancer-surgery/intrao...