Hey all,
im really struggling to help my mum with what to say and what to ask she’s been told her tumour is right on the border of 5cm meaning if she chooses mastectomy and it’s over 5cm she will have radiotherapy regardless but if it’s under and has a mastectomy she won’t need it. If she has just the lumpectomy then she will need radiotherapy regardless. She’s terrified of having the mastectomy but we were told there is a possibility with a lumpectomy if the tumour turns out be bigger then 5cm then they will have to go back in. Does anyone know how common this is and has anyone got any questions that we should ask at her next appt. The next appt we have been told is where she will make the decision and get a surgery date so if anyone has any advice on what to ask to make sure my mum has the full facts I’d be very grateful. Thank you
Hi Scared daughter 24 welcome to the forum. Unfortunately second ops are relatively common as they often can't tell until they go in to perform the surgery. That means a second op to take more breat tissue, however there is only so much breast tissue they can take without the suggestion of a mastectomy. It's a difficult decision to make and not one anyone can really make except your mum. I wish I could say something that could give you some absolute answers but unfortunately until the 1st surgery there is always an element of doubt if that makes sense? Xx
gail
