Making a decision without being given a stage/grade??? Is this how it is??
Less than one minute read time.
FormerMember
Hello I am posting this really for advice for my sister who is 46 and just been told she has invasive ductal cancer in her left breast. She had a negative mamograme after finding a small lump beneath her nipple, went for an ultrasound and had a biosy, then was told by her surgeon to make a decision as to what treatment she wants to pursue. He could not tell her what stage or grade it was and is not clear if her lymph nodes are affected.
She was given a Breast cancer folder to read but as i am sure most of you feel terrified and unsure, the word cancer is enough to scare the living hell from anyone.
I have adviced her to ask the surgeon to stage it first for her as this will surely determine what kind of treatment she decides to pursue.
I am really taken aback that they have not been able to do this for her before they consider any surgery.
Can anyone out there advise me??? Much appreciated gillian
FormerMember
Welcome to Whatnow - I can only speak for myself - but I wasnt given a stage until after my lumpectomy and I think this is common - why don't you give the cancerbackup nurses a ring to clarify things - its a freephone number 0808 800 1234 - they will probably help you out. I hope you let us know how you and your sister are doing! Best wishes and lots of love Jools x
Hi Gillian - I don't have the same type of cancer as your sister, so I can't really give you any advice. Still, I just wanted to say hello to the both of you and wish you all the very best in whatever your sister decides to do. with love kate xxxxxx
hi gillian ,when i was diagnosied april 08 i wasn't given a stage untill after my lumpectomy . my breast care nurse told me that this was common because though the mamogram detects the cancer the size isn't always apparent as in my case on the mamogram it was seen as three & a half centimetres but when i had the lumpectomy it was seven& half centimetres which is a big tumour . i was lucky my lymph nodes where uneffected . but the cancer was in my lymphatic glands these are in the breast . i think that the surgeon can only be sure if the cancer is in the lymph nodes after surgery because everyone i have spoken to has only found out after surgery if it is or not including myself.. i was told after the lumpectomy that i needed a mastectomy as well i opted for a bilateral because i had ,had pre cancerous cells in my left breast five years before .i felt that this was the best decesion for me.your sister will be on a rollercoaster of emotions at the moment as will your whole family . her surgeon will give her the best option for her love all you can do is support her in this. i hope i have been of some help to you gillian feel free to pm me if you want to talk more. sending lots of love & hugs to you & your sister take care love theresa xxxxxx
Sorry your sister is going through this. I can only relate my experience, my tumour was also below the nipple, didn't seem to be apparent one month and then was very visible resulting in puckering aroud my nipple. My GP was fantastic and the day after seeing him I had a letter confirming my hospital appointment the following week, Like your sister I had an examination, a mammogram, an ultrasound and a core biopsy. I did a little info gathering on the Breast Cancer Care site and guessed my results would be positive.
When I got my results I was told it was cancer but not the grade or stage, I did asked about the stage but was advised not to worry about it as this time. The Dr recommended a full mastectomy, full clearance of my lymph nodes plus chemo, plus radio and hormone treatment - so a full house. My op was booked for the following week. On the day of the op I asked for a sentinal node biopsy as there was no evidence the cancer was in my lymph nodes. I know now that there are no conclusive tests to find out if cancer is in the lymph nodes. I got my grade at my post op follow up.
You are right there is a lot of info given and you are so shocked, you want to understand but can't take it in. I have such a quick transition from diagnosis to op, that you almost don't have time to ask questions; and I hadn't found this website which I later found fantastic questions to asks the consultant. Part of me also thought that if they want me in that quick there is a reason.
I agree with Jools, speak to one of the nurses here or on the Breast Cancer Care site or the Breast Cancer Care Nurse - I found the later two in my case invaluable.
Good luck and best wishes to you and your sister. PM me if you want to chat.
