35 Yrs. Old & Diagnosed with IDC

Hi Bookworm14. I’m so sorry about your diagnosis. It’s good it was caught early though. It sounds you’re on the right track so far. Once you have your genetic testing it’ll be easier to make the decision on type of surgery. That was and still is the toughest decision for me.

I was diagnosed in July with IDC er+/Pr+ Her2- stage 1. Things moved so fast for me that I had no time to think and I was scheduled for a lumpectomy beginning of August. After a few weeks thinking about it I decided I’d rather have a mastectomy and remove the whole breast than to do a lumpectomy and have the possibility of it coming back. I’m meeting with Plastic surgeon on Tuesday to decide on type of surgery I’m eligible for.

There are different options that I know of but I’m thinking of having reconstruction right away to avoid multiple surgeries. They also told me if I did mastectomy I wouldn’t need radiation. This is also important for me and shifted my decision to have mastectomy.

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions but my family and friends (at least those who I’ve told) have been a Great support.

I’ve been reading a lot of the posts here to see how everyone else is handling things and decisions. It’s been very helpful.

Hang in there. Wish you best of luck

Hi, I was diagnosed on the 8th June (I'm 39 with 2 small kids) IDC 8mm right breast with extensive DCIS. I decided on a bilateral mastectomy for the same reason many do, to reduce the risk of recurrence in the other breast. My decision was based on doing everything possible for the best oncological outcome. That said, there are no guarantees whichever choice you make. Just important to feel most comfortable with your decision. I've since had the Oncotype test, 12 score so no chemo. I'm discussing radiation with my MO because of the very extensive DCIS. Thereafter will start Zoladex and Tamoxifen.

It's a tough journey but each day gets easier. I wish you all the best with your journey.

I opted for a lumpectomy, even with an aggressive TN tumor. For me, taking away the entire breast just seemed wrong - I couldn’t get comfortable with the idea, especially because a woman I met had a BMX and less than a year later had a recurrence. However, I understand why people make this choice. I feel that I can make that decision in the future - it is hard to decide.

So sorry to see you are joining the club no one wants to join. My gynecologist in WI was dx with breast cancer at 31 and she had 2 small babies. She had a bilateral mastectomy but that was nearly 30 years ago and treatment choices and standards of care are different now. She's still alive, a grandmother and flying around the country offering free clinic care to women. May you be as fortunate as she is.

Hi, I also was diagnosed with very extensive DCIS this summer. I'm 39, have one little kiddo. I had a bilateral mastectomy on August 15 with node biopsy. Node and margins were clear but a small 4mm invasive tumor was found. Grade 3 and aggressive characteristics. Mastectomy went well (!), but I'll be working through the next steps over the next few weeks. We're waiting to see if they can do the Oncotype test on such a small tumor. I'll definitely be on some kind of endocrine therapy and chemo isn't off the table quite yet. Wishing you and your family the best!

You don't have any lymph nodes involved that you know, and with the size of your tumor that would be considered stage 1. (if there are no lymph nodes involved) and you don't get that information until AFTER surgery typically.

My wait was around 4 weeks.  I initially had a plastic surgeon, but immediately realized I look good flat and should have gone that way to begin with, (Plus the TEs felt foreign and hurt like a MF).. so I had another surgery about 2 weeks later to remove them and be flat and fabulous.  Then I started PT about 3 weeks later.  I'm doing great 2.5 years later.

Bookworm, I was diagnosed in August and I am now scheduled for UMX October 25. I am in a bit of a different boat though, the ILC I have is typically slow growing. I also had to wait on a second round of biopsies because this sneaky little monster tends to hide in imaging. We were getting mixed results. The tumor board finally decided my cancer was too big for lumpectomy. I was relieved in a way, because like you in the beginning, I was back and forth with the decision. I think it is perfectly normal to worry, I wish we could all get the whole picture right away. I am a worrier though, theck on some days I worry that I worry too much LOL!! I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery.

Hi Bookworm14, it is possible that they are waiting for the path report before ordering the Oncotype test because the path from the MX will be most revealing. Actual tumor size, confirmation of hormone sensitivity etc. Size will dictate if you go straight to chemo, hormone sensitivity will confirm treatment with Tamoxifen. Remember Oncotype result assumes smaller tumor, early stage and tamoxifen treatment. All of which will be confirmed with your path from surgery, as I understand it.

All the best!