Mastectomy vs lumpectomy

Penelope, I just finished 16 hypofractionated radiation treatments and just have 5 more boosts of radiation to the tumor bed.  I opted for a lumpectomy and oncoplasty, so I had the lumpectomy, a reduction and lift.  I'm 50 year old and struggled with the same decision.  I had a hysterectomy in my 20's from an ovarian cancer (my Brca was negative), When I first was diagnosed I wanted a mastectomy.  Then one day I was just getting very angry, very very angry and I looked at my husband and yelled to him in a fit that "no way, I lost my reproductive system to cancer, that defines me as a woman, and now it wants my breasts, no way.  I came into this world a woman, with breasts and i'm going to die with my breasts, its all I have left of being a woman".  And there it was, I made my decision.  I had the same fears of heart damage, lung damage, etc.  I have a very small node on my lung, and prior to radiation I saw a thoracic surgeon about removing it and doing a biopsy, I had a conversation with him about my fears of damage to the lung and heart.  He told me he operates on women's lungs all day, and he just really doesn't  see the damage from radiation from breast cancer.  He said he may see some damage in cases where there was a very large tumor up against the chest wall and radiation had to be given to the chest wall directly, then he may see a small bit of damage, but even that is usually very mild.  But with the radiation I would get, whole breast radiation, he just doesn't see the damage.  So Penelope, that made me feel much better.  Also the position i'm in is on my stomach so that my breast hangs down and pulls away from the heart and lungs.  Also, in my own head, and I have no idea if there is a medical basis for this, but I thought if my breast cancer comes back and I have a mastectomy, where will it go if my breasts are gone, will it jump to the next place?  I don't know.  Here I am at the last leg of my radiation journey.  It is a difficult decision, but one day you will just come to your decision and start on your path.  Have faith in yourself, in your heart and soul and in whatever decision you make.  Keep a positive attitude, I know that is sometimes very difficult.  Much love to you

choosing lumpectomy vs mastectomy is a very personal decision. I'm a big fan of going with whichever option leaves you with a feeling of peace about your decision (the decision that calms your gut so to speak so that discomfort isn't there anymore). Only you can say which option that is. As far as rads (if you're in your 50s, maybe even 60s,or younger) I worry more about secondary cancers caused down the line by the rads more so than lung or heart damage.

I chose lumpectomy. I trusted my surgeon and it's 4 years later. The only hard part is annual testing but I don't regret the decision. Just my 2 cents.