Breast cancer

Good, never be afraid to ask for a second opinion, some of these surgeons seem to have poor people skills!  

Sorry to hear your sad News, I also too have been diagnosed with stage 2 breast and grade 3 lymph node they said they want to do chemo first then surgery to remove 

had mri and ct - there all Clear on major organs but something abnormal is showing on my l5 in my spine - got to have a pet scan - I’m absolutely bricking it

your not alone in all this. I found this forum very comforting and to discuss how we’re feeling 

it’s your journey and your right in asking for a second opinion xx

Hi, I was diagnosed last October with stage 2 breast cancer, Ductal carcinoma in situ and Invasive ductal carcinoma right breast. My surgeon said he wouldn’t do a mastectomy as I didn’t need it, he said he would do a lumpectomy to conserve the breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal, thankfully no spread to the lymph nodes. I had 5 sessions of radiotherapy and did not need chemotherapy.

I am now in recovery and on hormone treatment ( tamoxifen) for 5 years. I had my 1st mammogram since diagnosis in October and was all clear.

Good luck on your journey

Hello from what I gather a mastectomy is recommended if more than one lesion is found, although I may be wrong.

I was diagnosed in May and initially with small lump with lumpectomy recommended however, after having an MRI they found three lesions in total and therefore mastectomy was only option. The surgeon was amazing but he said mastectomy was really best option which I had to my left side with immediate reconstruction.

 Now half way through Adjuvant chemo.

Hi,

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer - sizable lump with a second area of concern. MRI  showed 4 lumps and a lymph node deep in the left side. My lumpectomy changed to mastectomy for multifocal breast cancer. - I would loose too much tissue to clear the cancer (over 9 cm total tumour area and 3 lymph nodes after surgery). I wait to see if I  need chemo or just radiotherapy and hormone blockers.

It's scary to be told you need a mastectomy, but you do need to have confidence in your surgeon, and a second opinion is your right, especially for surgery which has such a large impact. I'd seen the MRI scan on the screen at an ultrasound appointment for a 3rd biopsy, and knew there would be so much tissue removed that I expected the news when I got it. A mastectomy was the only way to ensure all the cancer was removed and I wanted my best chance at a cure.

It wasn't what I'd hoped for, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought. 

I wish you well for your results on Thursday.

Hi, sorry you find yourself in this situation.  I think it depends on the size of breast too whether or not a mastectomy is required.  I was told if I needed a second operation a mastectomy would be required but I had a second lumpectomy.  Three areas of tubular cancer.  My margins were not clear and showed up DCIS.  

Hi Allyarn, it’s good to seek a second opinion if you are not happy with what your surgeon is telling you. It’s not good if they don’t listen or fully discuss the reasoning behind what they are telling you. A good bedside manner is so important. A mastectomy may have been recommended based on the number of lumps seen (sizes) and the shadow plus as a lumpectomy might not be possible as it may not get everything out or they would have to make more than one incision. Plus they need to ensure they have clear margins around each lump when removed so maybe this is also why a mastectomy was suggested. I was lucky and had a small lump of 22mm and a D cup so was able to have a lumpectomy. No other lumps and it was just in the upper quadrant of my breast. 
I think a mastectomy or lumpectomy will also depend on biopsy and scan results too. 
Wishing you all the best 

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Just to follow on from that, each of my lumps were in a different quadrant of the breast as I recall so was relieved to have breast taken away (I know sounds crazy to be relieved) . I just wanted it gone and actually asked if I could have double mastectomy which was not an option.

I have ductal invasive stage 1 as it’s in lower quadrant of my right breast I am having lumpectomy and partial reconstruction on 7 December, n lymph nodes removed, am really anxious about how I will be afterwards in terms of pain n also effects of tamoxifen, I’m 56 was on hrt n came off it some menopause symptoms back does it get worse with tamoxifen? Hopefully I will be having the radiotherapy too that’s the plan for now x 

Just to say that you do right and are perfectly entitled to a second opinion. 
Sending you a big hug x