Mastectomy is my first instinct.

calusari

I have another appointment with my doctor this Friday to discuss my options and learn more about my cancer (when he told me today, I was too in shock to think of what to ask).

I know that a lumpectomy is less invasive, but I also know that I would obsess about the possibility of the cancer returning if I didn't go for the mastectomy...

Maybe I will change my mind on Friday...right now, I just don't know.

moth

Depending on the type of cancer and location, certain surgical options may not even be offered so probably don't get your heart set on anything until you speak with a surgeon.

This comes up a lot so I suggest you have a look at archives and see how others handle this decision. Consider this thread from earlier today where Beesie & I explained the difference between local and distant recurrence & current evidence says mastectomy doesn't prevent distant recurrence.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics...

There I also linked to a brand new study saying in fact: "Lumpectomy is associated with IMPROVED SURVIVAL compared with mastectomy for early stage breast cancer - A Propensity Score Matched Comparison Using the National Cancer Database"

Hang in there. The early days suck a lot - while you're figuring out what you have and what to do.

Did the dr tell you the type of cancer, size and hormone markers?

Moderators

Hi Calusari! We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we're really glad you've found us, welcome!

Besides the great and accurate info that moth shared above, you can learn more on "deciding factors" and the advantages/disadvantages to each choice in the following article from our main site:

Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy

Also, you may find this section helpful: Your breast cancer diagnosis and Your Diagnosis: Questions to Ask Your Doctor.

Hope this helps! Please, come back and let us know about your appointment Friday. We're thinking of you!

The Mods

LivinLife

Welcome calusari! Glad your appointment is right around the corner. Yes important you get a copy of your pathology report to start. The report will list type of cancer, or DCIS if that is the case. It will also list the size, whether or not it is ER+ or PR+ for starters. These are the things that will help determine treatment options. It will be important you hear the doc out and then check back in on this site to learn what you can about your situation. It's important you are comfortable with your team and the decision(s) about treatment, including surgery type if surgery is part of treatment. Please let us know how the appointment goes...

msphil

hello sweetie i too was deciding between mastectomy and lumpectomy was planning our 2nd marriages when found my lump in shower. Didnt want to go into new marriage with one breast. But my husband then fiance urged me to get mastectomy. I decided on madtectomy so i wouldnt worry bout recurrence. Praise God i am this yr a 27yr Survivor.msphil idc stage 2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo( adriamycin cytoxin 5fu) before and after Lmast we were married then 7 wks rads 5 yrs tamoxifen.

calusari

I have been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I am still new to all of the lingo, so forgive me if I get it wrong. The good news is that my hormone receptor status is good; I don't quite understand that yet, but it is a relief that it is favorable! I also asked my doctor whether I should be tested for the gene and he said that since I don't have any family history it is probably not necessary. I may do it at a later date, but right now I'm focusing on getting better.

I'm having a mastectomy (removing my left breast); I asked about bilateral, but my doctor told me that it would be unnecessary surgery since my right breast is currently healthy. I'm not having reconstructive surgery. My husband and I talked about it, and I don't feel it is necessary for me. My concern was what he thought about it, but all he cares about is that I get better :-)

I'm having surgery on Wednesday; I'm not nervous about the surgery, just the results...they will be testing my lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has started to spread. I'm trying not to think about that, since there is nothing I can do about it right now. I'm hoping that I don't have to do chemo or radiation, but I'll do whatever I have to do to get well!

Thanks to everyone who welcomed me to this board; it's been a rough couple of weeks but I am hanging in there!