Hi, I have been told I am having a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I have a grade 3 tumor.
But I was wondering if I can ask for a mastectomy instead as mentally I think this would be a better option for me. I feel that I will just continually worry that it will come back if I just have a lumpectomy. Any advice would be great please.
Love Hayley xx
Hi Hayley
Along with the support you will find here please feel free to call our helpliners to talk through your concerns, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 on 0808 800 6000
New Years Eve opening 9-2 and closed New Years Day then normal hours resume 2.1.14
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hayley I was offered a lumpectomy but asked for a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for my own sanity. You need to discuss this with your consultant, it’s patient choice. Many people are happy with a lumpectomy and I think most consultants recommend this procedure as it’s less invasive with good results.
Good luck with your decision making.
XXX
Hello all,
I was told a lumpectomy is what the doctor will try first if they feel they can possible get the tumor and it ofcourse is less invasive!
Double mx was fine Hayley, definitely the right decision for me. I had immediate reconstruction ( implant with strattice) as I was only a B cup ( still a B cup now). They look like mine but much firmer ( don’t move - lol). I have a small scar under each breast as I opted for a nipple saving mastectomy. The worst part for me was the drains which they insert during surgery which are needed to stop swelling and infection but once they were out it was plain sailing.
I’m having chemo as there was a small micromet ( which was originally negative) in my first sentinel node, other nodes were clear but most oncologists go for a ‘belt & braces’ approach due to age etc. I have rads after that then tamoxifen.
XXX
Hi tracy
Thank you. Im still undecided what to do for the best but I think im leaning towards going for the lumpectomy and see how it goes from there. Thank you for all your help.
Hugs Hayley x
Glad you’re able to make the right decision for you Hayley, lots of women on the forum opt for lumpectomy, it’s all down to personal choice and how we’re able to handle things.
Take care and good luck with your surgery
XXX
I have invasive lobular cancer in one breast only but from reading up on this, it has more of a risk of turning up in the other breast later. Can I ask for a double mastectomy to avoid going through this again?
Hi Jane
Welcome to the BCC forums, whilst you wait for replies and shared experiences here please feel free to call our helpliners to talk your concerns over. Lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 and our team are on hand with practical and emotional support for you
Here’s a link to the BCC lobular breast cancer information which you may find helpful:
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Hayley
I had a lumpectomy on 29th January mine was a Grade 3. The total removed was 13mm that was with clear margins and no spread to lymph nodes. I did not have chemo just 15 radiotherapy sessions and arimidex for 5 years. It is a personal choice. I have had no problems so far. Any other questions just ask. Hope you make the right decision for you.
Take Care
Angie. X
Hi Jane yes im sure you can ask for double mastectomy my friend has just been diagnosed with same as you,she has very large breasts (she hates them)and hers is at the side no where near her nipple and was offered a lumpectomy with a 50 percent chance of it returning so that is a defenate no-no they offered her a mastectomy and she asked for a double and they said yes,she goes in hospital on thursday 17th April. hope this helps Yvonne
Hi Hayley
When I was diagnosed on Feb 18th I had made up my mind that a mastectomy was the right decision for me.After having biopsies and more planned my consultant told me that. He was going to do a lumpectomy. This I refused as didn’t want to have the procedure repeated if margins weren’t clear. I stood firm on my decision so a mastectomy was planned. I went for my results 3 weeks later and consultant had told me the area was larger than first thought with other malignant calcifications .My choice was. The correct one even if the outcome had been different I would not have regretted the decision I chose. Iam 3 weeks post surgery and am recovering well,Only you can decided but go with your gut instinct. I hope this helps
Good luck with your journey,
Podge x
Hello,don’t know if this will help but I was DX with invasive ductal end of Jan,grade 3 er & her2 positive. They said lumpectomy & I didn’t even question alternatives - just put my trust in their hands. They also had my treatment plan mapped out - chemo,herceptin,rads,tamoxifen for 5-10yrs. Following my first lumpectomy the results came back that they hadn’t got clear margins & 1 out of the 3 lymph nodes took was positive. I was like ‘right I’m having a mastectomy!’ But after getting a bit of advice I learnt that the margins could be extremely small,mastectomy would take longer to recover & may want recon later on, the lymph nodes are a separate op so would still need to get them & the amount of treatment I was set up for would deal with any stray bits. So decided against & they got everything on the 2nd surgery & no more lymph nodes where found positive.xx