What should I do?

Options
tina98
tina98 Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer stage 0. I had surgery in June, 2011. However, recently, the doctor found out that there is single linear calcification measuring 1 mm in my breast.

He gave me 2 options:

1. To do a biopsy and to see whether it's malicious or not. If it is, I could remove the 1mm, then radiation treatment. If I pick this option, I need to do mammography every 3 months. Also, I wouldn't lose the entire right breast.

2. To remove the entire breast, and no radiation is necessary. The benefit of this is that it unlikely that cancer will reoccur. However, I am still in my early 40s, I feel like having a right breast is rather important. I don't think I will do breast reconstruction though.

I am so frustrated. Which option should I pick?

Thank you.

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Comments

  • suzanneinphoenix
    suzanneinphoenix Member Posts: 208
    edited August 2011

    I wish someone could tell you what to do, and that it would be the right decision.  But this is too personal.  Only you can decide what's best for you....

    I would research the main BCO page...where doctors list side effects, etc....then you can make an informed decision. Best of luck to you.....

    Suzanne

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited August 2011

    Sounds like you are getting advice from a surgeon. I think a medical oncologist's and probably radiation speciality opinions are in order. You might also need hormonal therapy (tamoxifen) as a follow-up, depending on the pathology of the lesion: ER positive, etc.

    Did you already have lumpectomy but the margin was not clean? Hopefully, they looked at the sentinel node if that was the case. A "linear" formation could describe lobular carcinoma, much sneakier than ductal. I would need a lot more information before a decision like this could be made. 

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  • Lena
    Lena Member Posts: 1,036
    edited August 2011

    If I were wearing your shoes, I would go with option #1. But that's me.

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  • virokie
    virokie Member Posts: 85
    edited August 2011

    Oh Boy, I've been in those shoes.  Get lot's of information and decide what "you" can live with.

    My oncologist said something that helped me through all this:  "People just seem to make the decision that is right for them.  No one can tell you- just give you options."  I know it drove me crazy at first, I really wanted someone to tell me.  I am happy with my decision though it has some consequences that I did not know about.  I guess any decision will. 

    I picked option 2 for myself.  I was not going to get reconstruction but at the advice of my dh and oncologist I did and so far I am glad I did, I am still having the reconstruction done so I don't really know how it will all turn out but so far it seems fine.

    A side note:  I did not start posting right away and I have to tell you that you have taken a huge step that will help you the most.  I wish I would have posted from the beginning.   

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  • jbagley
    jbagley Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2011

    Hi, I'm Jennifer, again it it really your choice to do lumpectomy or mastectomy. I have alswys said, if I ever get breast cancer, I would have the whole breast removed. Remove the tissue that is causing the problem.



    I am 38 yrs old, 2 kids (9yrs and 3yrs), I would be worse off right now if I didn't have the mastectomy. My mammogram showed a lot of dense tissue and the lump under my arm that I found. I informed my surgeon (whom is very good) that I wanted mastectomy. Good thing bc the path report showed 10 tumors spanning 11cm and I NEVER FELT THEM. Ifelt the lonely sentinel node that was rpentirely encapsulated by cancer cells.



    Think about it. If you're done having children, not breastfeedling, what is safer? Having lumpectomy vs mastectomy?

    My tumors were very aggressive, if I didn't have the mastectomy, it would be in my bone.

    jennifer

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited August 2011

    Tina: I am probably no help what so ever because I am 57 years old.. I just had a lumpectomy and radiation. Then this week, found out that my sister has breast cancer.. We had no family history of it until I found mine.. Looking back on what I decided, I now wish I had that second option, but they didn't give me one... I was very uninformed and just wanted the lump out... I couldn't have a biopsy because of where my lump was so 2 weeks after finding it I had the lumpectomy and SNB... I then found out it was cancer.  I'm just not sure now if I made the proper decision but what is done, is done and have to live with my choices... The ladies above suggesting you look on the boards and read up are right... read up before you make the decision..

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