Decision Time

Options
LaurieKM
LaurieKM Member Posts: 1
edited July 2018 in Just Diagnosed

I am 42 and was diagnosed yesterday with Stage 0 DCIS and was told to decide between a mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation and I am completely torn between the two. I would love any feedback that helped others make their decision.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Golfnut33
    Golfnut33 Member Posts: 30
    edited July 2018

    I can’t really help but I’m in a similar position ... DCIS grade 3 (>5cm) had one lumpectomy but no clear margins so either another lumpectomy with radiation or mastectomy. Having been through the recovery from lumpectomy- not as pain free or easy as I was expecting, I’m leaning towards another lumpectomy as I can’t imagine how hard it is to recover from a more major op! I’m also putting faith in stats which show similarly good outcomes. The downside is that this has all taken so long I will just about be done in time for the 6 month check on the other boob ....

    Still also trying to decide whether to get a second opinion or not

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited July 2018

    This is a decision many of us face. All I can say is you need to make the one you're more comfortable with and then not second-guess yourself.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2018

    Dear LaurieKM,

    Welcome to the community. We are so sorry that your breast cancer diagnosis brought you here but glad that you reached out to our members. We do hope you will stay active here and benefit from the support and shared experiences of our members. Here is a link to content on our main site that offers others' stories about making the decision of Mastectomy or Lumpectomy.Keep us posted. The MOds

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2018

    I had a BMX for peace of mind. I wanted nothing to do with radiation. My double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction wasn't a walk in the park, but it wasn't horrific either. Best of luck. Please pm any questions you may have

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited July 2018


    Hi Laurie, this is a hard decision for everyone. Insitu seems to make it harder because you try to see into the future and that's impossible. The worst has happened so try to breath. No matter your choice there are no guarantees 5 years away but yours is more favorable than the many of us. I can only share what I told my doctor . I chose lumpectomy because i had a grade 1, stage 2A HR+. I told the doctor if there was lymph node involvement or bad margins go ahead and do the mastectomy. I wanted one surgery and get on with it. Outcome:beautiful margins, no node involvement and no chemo after oncoDX and genetic testing. I had 16 radiation treatments-then began femara-hormone therapy. You're type of cancer,grade, etc. should help you and your doctor chose the best path. if you trust your doctor he's your best resource. If you're not afraid of info, this site along with MD Anderson will give you every scenario with the info you have. It also helps with questions to ask. Good luck and try to stay in the present. It's too hard to try to live the future and and present.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited July 2018

    I don't have the links, but there are studies that show that at least with Stage 1 BC, no node involvement, LX with Rads has a lower recurrence rate than MX w/o rads. Pls get all of the information you need, before you decide and a second opinion may be helpful also. It is a hard decision and not one to be taken lightly. Given that is its DCIS, I would think you have plenty of time to research and gather information before you do anything. Do what is best for you and don't look back:). Best wishes.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories