Hi my mum has stage 2 breast cancer and was advised to get lumpectamy followed by radiotherapy and hormone blockers for 5 yrs after. She has now been told she can't have an anaesthetic due to health issues.

Hello Nadia,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Megan, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

Welcome to the online community. I can see you have yet to join any groups. You may wish to explore the Breast cancer forum, Family and friends forum or the New to the community forum. We find that experience sharing with others is a great way to garner both information and support, something I hope you will experience through the Online Community going forward.

I am sorry to hear that the hospital team advised your mother would not be able to have a general anaesthetic despite initially advising surgery as part of the treatment plan. I imagine this change in plan was distressing for you all and I do hope you yourself are receiving support during this time.

In short, it depends on the reason the anaesthetist has advised that general anaesthetic is not possible and would be best to further discuss with them if there is an alternative such as surgery done under local anaesthetic or sedation.

Although it is most common to undergo a lumpectomy under general anaesthesia, some hospitals do inform about awake breast surgery without a general anaesthetic online. However, this does not mean that it is an option offered in all hospitals to all patients.

It might be that as part of the operation they were additionally advising removal of lymph nodes, something that may not be possible to do under local anaesthetic. But, as Macmillan is a charity and has no access to healthcare records, I cannot say with any certainty that this is the reason so would encourage your mum to speak with the hospital team further to discuss their reasoning.

If on speaking with the hospital team they continue to advise surgery is not an option your mum may wish to seek a second opinion from a different doctor. However, as explained in the link there are pros and cons to doing this.

As suggested experience sharing with others can be really beneficial during this time and your mum may wish to attend a support group, join an online community or seek other support to explore this further. You may also find local cancer support services through the Cancer Care Map.

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Best wishes, Megan

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Ref MD/BG