I’ve been lurking on this forum since 7th April but haven’t had the courage to post yet.
I was diagnosed with cancer in my right breast on 7th April after mammogram, ultrasound, and core biopsy.
I’m book in for lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy on the 11th May.
I have a long term mental health disorder which I take a lot of medication for.
My question is, has anyone had a lumpectomy/masectomy and just radiotherapy for their treatment?
I understand my treatment plan will depend on the pathology results from my surgery but due to taking to a lot of medication, I am reluctant to take more tablet and/or chemotherapy. Radiotherapy doesn’t scare me so much.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I had a mastectomy for two patches of DCIS in my left breast in Feb 15 with immediate reconstruction. My lymph nodes were clear so I didn’t have chemo or radiotherapy. I am on tamoxifen but that was optional as I was considered fairly low risk so you could be lucky with onward treatment, just depends what they find! Tamoxifen hasn’t caused me any problems really but I know some people suffer with it. Keep looking on this forum as it is a great source of support. All the best, xx
In answer to your question… yes lots of people will have been treated with lumpectomy / mastectomy with just radiotherapy. However this will have been dependant on size stage and grade of their tumour. Have they given you any indication of size, whether the tumour is ER+ PR+ or HER2 neg. These are all specific components that can determine the treatment pathway.
If you don’t know the answer to these things at this stage it may be better to wait for the patholgy and a treatment plan after surgery.
Is it possible any of your medications could be reviewed / stopped by your Doctor. Are they managed by GP or a Consultant. If you were to be recommended Chemo it would be a good idea to liaise with your prescriber / care team to ensure you remain stableas they would be aware if there are any specific contra indications with your medication.
I think Tamoxifen is out due to being on SSRI’s. I’ve been under the care of a Consultant Psychiatrist for many years. After a bad relapse a few years ago I’m now fairly settled on the psychiatric meds that I’m on, but it took a while so reluctant to change.
I know I’m getting a bit ahead of myself as I know I will need to wait for pathology results after lumpectomy and SNB.
The Breast surgeon is aware of my mental health issues and said that the multidisclipinary team would discuss my treatment after my surgery.
Obviously, suffering from an anxiety disorder, I worry and overthink things a lot!!
I’ve had lumpectomy and just started rads so no chemo. I am taking hormone tablets BUT I have been told that due to low grade of my tumour and no lymph node activity if I don’t get on with them I can come off them even though my cancer was hormone fed. The tablets are a preventative therapy from reoccurrence and give me better odds (but only by around 2% I think) of it not coming back. Early days on them at the mo so can’t make a call on whether I continue or not. Hope that helps xx
Hi
I was diagnosed on the 21st April with invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3. I have been told that my treatment will be a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and then will be on tamoxifen for the next 10years or so. Since then I had a mammogram and core biopsy where they took 11 samples. I’m waiting to hear the results from this and am due back at hospital on the 5th for my pre op. I’m having a sentinel node probe localisation on the 11th then having my surgery the same day. I can’t lie that I’m very nervous about it all.
I think this is the worst part. The waiting for something to happen.
At least we are in it together.
Good luck xx