Diagnosed with breast cancer today - Grade 2, 3cm, HER-, ER+ PR+. All a bit of a shock, as went to breast clinic with a lump last week that the GP was 95% sure was nothing. It’s also in the lymph node.
The consultant said they will do surgery but she wasnt sure if they would be able to do a lumpectomy as I have v small boobs and it’s a big lump so there wouldnt be much to work with. I just want them to do the mastectomy to make sure they can get it all but dont know if I just being a bit naive about it all. She said they will do radiation, hormone therapy and maybe chemo. The maybes confuse me - I’m 43, single parent to a 12 year old and want them to just throw everything at it. It’s really shocking as I am fit and healthy and feel fine, ran a half marathon not long ago and training for a marathon. I am trying to tell myself that because I feel fine then it’s unlikely to have spread - is that realistic?
Waiting for MRI on the 2nd and then back to consultant on the 11th. The MRI will determine the type of surgery. I guess my question is whether I should push for mastectomy and hope that means they book in the surgery sooner, or just wait for them to make the call?
As far as I know, recommendations for lumpectomy versus mastectomy are based on size of tumour versus size of breast, ie what gives the best cosmetic outcome. This is because the clinical outcomes from lumpectomy plus radiotherapy are consistent with those from mastectomy. The MRI will give them a lot of information, I don’t think you would be offered surgery any quicker by trying to force it down one route. Chemo (or other follow up treatments alongside hormone treatment) will depend on the pathology of your tumour. Most of us feel fit and well and get an awful shock when diagnosed - cancer has to spread rather a lot before it brings symptoms. Wishing you all the best and do keep up the running if you can - fitness will help you get through whatever is facing you.
Hello, I’m sorry to hear that you received this news today.
I’m 42, with two kids aged 11 and 12. I was diagnosed at the start of April, fit and healthy and running 5Km (small fry to your marathon😳). The diagnosis came as a huge shock, as I was referred as no cancer suspected by GP. I too have quite small breasts and if I could go back and tell myself one thing in April it would be to get your breast care team to explain all your options (including reconstruction), this wasn’t something that was explained to me very well in April. I think if it had, I would have chosen a different journey to what I have taken. I was only given the option of lumpectomy, but I could have had a mastectomy if I’d asked for one (Hindsight is a wonderful thing!).
When you see your surgeon ask lots of questions, don’t just go along with the first thing they say.
Keep running and taking care of your body, so it can do its thing healing and getting you though it’s made a big difference in my recoveries at each stage.
Hi Ruby, sorry you are here and with us but I am glad you’ve joined the forum. You’ll find lots of support and definitely answers to all your questions.
Im recently diagnosed and just waiting on surgery. My boobs are a fair size so I cant comment I’m afraid only to say that the MRI will give them all the info they need to make the best choices for you.
I know it’s awful waiting for results and waiting for the doctors to make such life changing decisions for us. Please dont feel alone in this. As its been said above, ask all the questions you can think of. Its helpful to write them down and take them with you when you go into the clinic. The breast care nurses are so good at explaining all your options.
It’s really great you are starting this journey in a strong and healthy position
None of us expected the diagnosis. I’m 47, work as a healthcare professional, slim, eat well and do a lot of exercises. I also eat organic food and no breast Ca were in my family.
Got the same cancer like u, and agreed to mastectomy ( small boobs+ large tumour). After the op I’ve found out that one of the nodes were affected. Got radiotherapy, escaped chaemo ( low oncotype score) and starting hormonal and targeted therapy this week. The surgery wasn’t too bad and I jave done a lot of exercises since. Good luck! You have got the diagnosis, so you’re on the right path. Sending you a big hug.
Thanks all, it’s all just such a shock and I am really not the most patient of people! It’s really helpful to hear other stories as feeling quite alone - my mum is currently going through cancer treatment for multiple myeloma and she suggested the forums.
I do feel for you, it’s a horrid place to be. The waiting is the worst time. I am now 8 weeks post mastectomy (with simultaneous implant reconstruction) and feeling great!
I had early stage disease and it felt so brutal to be advised to have a mastectomy. It was because the lesion was relatively large compared to my small breasts. Apparently the cosmetic result is not good if more than 20% of breast tissue needs to be removed and it would have been 30% for me. But I am pleased with my implant and glad that I don’t need radiotherapy. I recovered quickly from the operation (my surgeon said I could resume running after 4 weeks, so I did!) and no one could tell if they saw me in my underwear.
I’m 44, fit and healthy but in June this year was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, 3 areas across the 2 boobs. I also have smaller boobs.
9 weeks ago I had a lumpectomy on one side and a single mastectomy with implant reconstruction on the other.
Once you’ve had your MRI the plan will be finalised for you. But it’s good to be thinking of what you want now and come up with some questions for your team.
The mastectomy on my right was mandatory as I had 2 areas close together and they felt that they wouldn’t be able to remove it all and leave me with enough of a viable breast. The left they felt they would get clear margins with a lumpectomy.
My first reaction was just take the lot, and I asked about a double mastectomy, my surgeon explained that it wouldn’t change the outcome but left the decision to me. In the end I opted for the lumpectomy on my left, and they got clear margins.
Having had both surgeries I can say the lumpectomy is much quicker and easier to recover from. The recovery from the mastectomy has been much tougher and harder than I expected, and is still ongoing. But everyone heals differently, I’ve been unlucky with wound infections that have delayed healing.
Thanks all, spoke to BCN on Tuesday and she said they had decided mastectomy which was actually quite nice to have the decision made for me. Will know more on 11th once they have had the MRI results…..the waiting continues
it’s made a big difference in my recoveries at each stage.
