Dcis lumpectomy or mastectomy

Manna,

That’s a very personal choice, but I will tell you mine. I have 1.8 cm DCIS grade 3 with comedo necrosis. I also have a cancer gene: RAD51D.

I had a lumpectomy (it was called a partial mastectomy cause they took more than just the lump - 3 areas actually).

I had the lumpectomy bc it was scheduled as a biopsy, but I ended up having a core needle done a week before due to something else they saw on ultrasound. Once I had that initial confirmation, I already started thinking about dmx. I had the lumpectomy to if/what else was going on.

My grade increased, but not too much else. So it’s been peace of mind as I sort through next steps. Next would be radiation or dmx. I’ve decided on dmx and if no surprises, I won’t need radiation.

I’m 35, have family history, that gene, and other microcalcifications in my breast. This is what made me decide. I didn’t want to do this over and over in my life. I have a lot of years with these breasts and I didn’t want those years worrying and getting chopped up over and over.

I’m scared of the recovery process, but I’m completely at peace with my decision. I hope you will be too.

It's a super hard decision to make. There are so many things to consider. What is your future risk of further cancer? Do you want to have babies and breast feed? What if they don't get clear margins with the lumpectomy? What else is happening in your life in regards to how quick you need your recovery to be? Are finances an issue? What does your doctor recommend? What other treatment will you need with a lumpectomy vs. double mastectomy? What are you personally comfortable with? What is your gut telling you?

Whilst on one hand, my instinct would be screaming get rid of as much of the risk as I can as soon as possible, I know not everyone feels that way. The bottom line is, I think, that if you have a lumpectomy, you can always have a double mastectomy at a later date, but once you have a double mastectomy, there's no going back. Huge decision, and in the end, it has to be what you are most comfortable with.