I’ve had a lumpectomy after a grade 2 ILC, but now they want to take more, although lymph nodes are clear. I’ve completed the genetics form but they told me that they won’t get around to looking at it till October. My mother had bc, as did her mother, her aunt and also my sister. The op for the 31st aug is for a further lumpectomy but I’m feeling more and more that I should opt for a mastectomy…..although the thought scares me. This will be my 4th general anaesthetic in the last 12 months and I know with covid shielding I’m not as strong or resilient as I was. I’ve put my fears to my bc nurse but not heard back for a week….it seems such a long week. I’m wondering if I do opt for a mastectomy, will they still be able to slot me into the same date? I’m worried with all the pressure on the nhs, if I delay I may not manage surgery or have it further delayed. Just appreciate any thoughts or experience.
Hi
Just some thoughts from my experience.
A mastectomy is a bigger operation than a lumpectomy , even without reconstruction (you haven’t mentioned this, not sure if there is something you would want?) and usually needs an overnight stay , so it may not be possible for you to have a different operation on your given date ?
if you don’t have a mastectomy but your genetics is positive , you will be then in a different treatment pathway, so would likely be offered a bilateral mastectomy as part of that process.
if your genetics comes back negative , you will be in your same pathway. My mum had breast cancer, her sister died from it and I also had it- no genetic link but my oncologist has said there probably is, but not one they know about yet , so the answer was No in terms of the different pathway and any preventative surgery.
I would definitely chase up your BCN , but also contact your surgeons secretary and explain the situation to them. I have had to do this several times over the years (my journey has been a bit of a roller coaster) and always found them helpful. I had a similar situation to you , no clear margins , and had two further ops and still no clear margins so had to have a mastectomy anyway , so maybe also worth asking at what point your surgeon would advise mastectomy?
I would just concentrate on what you do know dor now , and not what might be ?
Hope this has helped a bit ?
Jo x
Thank you so much Jo, your reply has been very informative. I couldn’t find my way to reply to you before now as I’m still learning my way around this site. I now have a telephone appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday to discuss my issues but I’m a bit clearer in mind. Good luck with your journey. X
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