What to do - Lumpectomy or Mastectomy - history of breast infections

[Talandjane]

Dear Jan 

Thank you for your reply. It was so thoughtfully written.🙏

I have had my appointment with the surgeon. From the two lots of extra biopsies on both breasts cancer was not found but areas of cell changes were. So that was really good news. From the non cancer breast he wants me to have another MRI scan in 6 months. From the breast with cancer he suggested 2 lumpectomies. I am very small in size and he did say it would leave it quite misshapen. 

I did bring up my years of breast infections, the fact that my Dads 2 sisters both died from breast cancer and I have really don't have an absolute love for them. They didnt work that great with breast feeding either and had mastitis on both occasions. He did start to soften with the idea of a mastectomy but said as I was so slim he would not be able to do a reconstruction. I dont have a problem with that either having been quite flat chested in my youth anyway. So I am thinking very seriously re the mastectomy ( as you intuitively put on your reply you can see which way I might be leaning ) 

I dont know of any friends or colleagues who have had a mastectomy and just wondered if I could ask you some questions. We ran out of time in the appointment and he said he would book me an operation date for 4 weeks time for a lumpectomy but that it is not a problem to change my mind and to let him know next week.

How was it post operatively ? Did you stay in for days ? How was it having a drain in place and how long was it in for ? He said that recovery from a mastectomy is 2- 4 weeks. I sometimes think that medics down play recovery as they dont see it - was this about right for you? Did you get put on antibiotics ? I have had years of gut problems - thank goodness in a good place now. 

I hope you are in a good healing place now.

Jane xx

[Jaybro]

Hi Jane

I’m sorry you’re faced with this dilemma. You are right to acknowledge that the further tests might uncover more details but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It will help you make an informed decision once you get the information. Remember, they may find nothing.

Lumpectomy or mastectomy is very much a personal choice, depending on how important your breasts are to you, so no one can tell you what to do. It does seem to me though that, reading your post, it’s almost like you know what direction you’re heading in. You won’t be forced to make a decision there and then unless they have uncovered seriously aggressive breast cancer. In these cases, the consultant generally ‘knows’ before confirmation from tests and indicates what s/he suspects may be happening (in my experience).

If you are encouraged to have a full mastectomy, the option of a reconstruction will be there too. It’s all very much a personal choice. Me? I just wanted the whole thing removed as soon as the words ’ breast cancer’ were uttered, but it was academic in the end as I had to have a full mastectomy and axillary clearance (removal of the lymph nodes). I just knew that, left with a partial breast, I’d be obsessing over lumps and bumps! But that’s me. You are used to years of breast problems and may have a different perspective.

Wait till your consultation. Meantime, write down your questions so you can tick them off and not come away wishing you’d mentioned something you forgot at the time. Include the question about connection with your breast history. If it’s allowed, have someone in with you who can take notes because sometimes in consultations, you realise your brain has turned to mush. Stay away from Google - it really is not helpful since it’s full of outdated sources, full of irrelevant stuff that exacerbates anxiety and generally leaves people regretting what that’ve done. Once read, rarely forgotten!

I hope the results tomorrow are clear, leaving you with your original question - lumpectomy or mastectomy? If they aren’t, remember there are many different kinds of breast cancer and many different treatment routes, and it’s all manageable (despite the horrible public image campaigners give of breast cancer - forget that!). Take care

Jan x

[Talandjane]

Hello 

I have just been diagnosed with early breast cancer stage 1 which I know if you are going to get it is a good one. However since then I have had to have 2 more biopsies one with ultrasound and one with an MRI - results of which I will get tomorrow. My decision might therefore be made for me if the results are not good.

However I seem to be a unusual case as i have had years and years and  probably about 20 breast infections over that time with periductal ecstacia. I used to have to have antibiotics to treat it and then I got very good at dealing with it with highlevels of  vit C and zinc and rest. Early on I did have an operation to clean out and remove some milk ducts and they found some cell changes but not cancer. They said I did not need to be monitored or anything.

Now I am wondering are they connected. Do I want to have the worry of the infections as it was because of the infection that they stumbled across the cancer while having the ultra sound. I have never heard of anyone else being in my position. Is there anyone else out there ? So confused. 

Jane xxx