Hi Ladies,
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October via routine screening. I had 2 lumpectomies in the lower quadrant of the same breast to remove cancerous cells at the beginning of November along with SNB. I was disappointed to find I was SN +ve as the previous FNA was -ve.
Also, in my breast DCIS was noted beyond the clear margin and in the other area the there was a +ve margin. The MDT have recommended mastectomy over re excison as I am small to medium size breast.
I am really struggling to visualise myself without a breast and using a prosthesis even for 9 -12 months whilst I wait for reconstruction.
My query is whether any of you have had surveillance of remaining DCIS via a core biopsy after about 4 months whilst making intensive lifestyle changes, eg., diet, exercise, stress management etc in the hope that lifestyle changes have shown an improvement in reducing DCIS?
My lumpectomy was successful with clear margins, however as a non-invasive lump was found a masectomy was advised. Yes 2 years on I still feel odd but so far all follow ups have been positive. At pre-op clinic I was told by nurse I was in perfect health with excellent life style and enviable bmi. She did then realise that perfect health was not the best thing to say. I’m writing this as evidence that breast cancer is not caused by life-style but as consultant said for some of us it’s just bad luck.
I think i can share your fears about having a mastectomy especially when you had hoped that the lumpectomy would be enough.I too was diagnosed last October and like you hoped that a lumpectomy would clear the cancer. However the pathology showed otherwise and I was advised that a mastectomy would give me the best chance of survival in the long run. I fretted over what had caused it and looked to blaim myself for every little weakness I had , and I felt guilty for having brought suffering onto my husband. The thought of loosing a precious boob was horrible and I found it hard to think that such a drastic measure was neccessry for such a small thing- I never even had a lump- just some abmormal chalk deposits on a routine mammogram.
In the end I chose a mastectomy and the reason I gave to myself was ‘that my life is more important than my breast’. I have resolved to live my life more healthily and I hope I will have a life to live.
Its 10 days since I had the operation and of course I will miss my breast but it is bearable and I know that I wont have the worry hanging around me. On the night before the operation my husband and I cried and held my breast and said goodbye to it. I have to say that it was a very painful moment but looking back even over such a short time it is a very powerful memory and one I am glad to have. It is a horrible time for you and I do wish you well.x
Hi Pattisue,
this probably won’t help - but its my story
Before I had my mastectomy I always thought that if I got cancer it would not bother be to have it removed. I had a mx 19mths ago because of DCIS over 750mm, turned out to be intermediate but every surgeon(7)and breast care specialist/nurse(5),4 different hospitals, has told me that I had no choice it had to be done… I read the books and wanted to change my mind but everyone told me that my life was more important than my boob. Well 19mths later and I still don’t know. It’s a head and heart thing; head definitely says YES, glad to be rid & asap, heart says my god what have I do!
2mths after I found a lump in my other breast and the journey started again, only a fibro adneoma(?) appartently I’m unusally old to have one! but it was a relief to have it removed and confirmed as such, but while I was in this 2nd time around I met a lot of women who had only had lumpectomies 1st time and 2-7 years later it was back and worse than ever - so head wins, heart grieves. Sorry.