Why just remove lump not whole breast?

This is a very personal choice and it is good that the choice is given, but women have the right to ask for a mastectomy if they feel that this would be the better option for them, just as you describe. Some women, though, would prefer to have a lumpectomy, not only for the sake of saving the breast with all of its significances, but because of what each surgery option would entail in terms of the surgery itself and the recovery after. 

What I want for every woman here is to be treated by teams who are willing to listen and allow each of us the surgery option we want within our own medical paremeters. 

It can take a while to get to grips with a diagnosis. Many here find that the sooner they get all the information they want and the sooner they know what their treatment plan is, the better. I hope things get better soon.

Hello

I agree, all options should be discussed. I was initially told I'd have lumpectomy and radiotherapy, but after my MRI highlighted additional areas of concern I was told I'd need a mastectomy and still radiotherapy. 

So having a mastectomy doesn't always mean you won't need radiotherapy too.

In my situation I found out yesterday that I need a second surgery to remove more tissue following my mastectomy just before Christmas. My surgeon hopes this means I then won't need radiotherapy after all.

It's all to do with the margins of clear tissue. Not enough margin then re-excision and or radiotherapy is needed.

I definitely found that the plans can change all the time. This can be a lot to take in and get your head around, but hopefully also a sign they are being very thorough.

Best wishes to you x

I think this is a very personal choice. I wanted them to save as much breast as possible, and especially my nipple, as that was important to me for sex (sorry if that's TMI!). If I'd had a mastectomy, I would have gone flat as no point in having a boob if there's no feeling with it.

So for me, I was happy that they did chemo first to reduce the lump to save as much breast as possible. It is smaller than before but I'm really pleased with the outcome and very lucky that I still have sensation, albeit that has taken a while to come back fully after radiotherapy.

Mine was on my right so heart damage not an issue - but you are asked to do breathing techniques if it is on the left, to protect your heart.

Beatthebreast said:

that was important to me for sex

Exactly the same here! I ended up having a mstectomy in the end, but oddly, I find that there is an erogenous area in there even with no breast and nipple.

By the way, I don't think sex should be off limits here. I think no subject should be off limit here actually as it relates to breast cancer. If not here, where else can we talk about such things while in the company of others who may be going through same or similar? If I ever find here anything I might feel too delicate about (that would be the day...) I could always skip it and not get involved, but the door must be left open for any of us to discuss anything.

I had lumpectomy back in 2015 as only small area removed - 11mm tumour size.  I have a small, neat scar on top of breast and a small dent only I notice.  Aside from that I have no lasting skin damage or discolouration 7 years on.  

I think we all panic and want rid of whole breast but dealing with losing a breast is very, very hard for many ladies .

Hi did you have radiotherapy?

I had 80mm removed from my breast and I was SO relieved not to lose my breast. (38D). I do have a dent, but it isn't noticeable in a bra.  I was operated on at 4.30pm, home by 7.30pm and was back at work 2 days following my operation.  A lumpectomy (wide local excision) is a much easier operation to recover from.

I was left sided and had 15 sessions of radiotherapy and because of a fixed right elbow from a road accident when aged 17, I wasn't able to be positioned for the breathe technique which is designed to protect the heart.  I am 4.5 years down the line and have had absolutely no side effects from the radiotherapy to my heart or much else to be honest.  My breast is a bit hardened around the area of the 3 inch scar - but I don't know if this is radio. or if it's scar tissue from the op.  It's only smaller due to the dent, but I am still the same sized breast as my other one for bras.  For me, I would have been absolutely devastated to have lost my breast.

As others have said, it is a very personal choice, but after the shock of diagnosis - which took me about a year to get my head around, your thoughts are very different and you might feel regretful of any 'rash' decisions made on diagnosis. I only suggest rash, because clearly you might feel exactly the same 5 years down the line!

Kindest wishes, Lesley

Yea I had 15 sessions over 3 weeks which was standard in 2015.  Now it's usually 5.  Radiotherapy is ok.  You moisturise your skin in readiness before @nd during treatment.  Aloe Vera gel in fridge keeps skin cool - can be hot like sun burn.  If well endowed like me - G cup, you may have mould made to keep breast in place while you lie on bed for max 10 minutes each session.  Skin on skin burns fir large breasts can cause skin to breakdown underneath breast but they give you creams and dressing to reduce skin touching , though I found sanitary towels best !  My skin recovered well,  

I was also left breast but didn't have to do breathing techniques as radiotherapy targeted higher up my breast .

Well im 38dd too so plenty of boob to work with.

Thanks for your details ...it really does help hearing others experiences ... thanks so much.

I'm sure I'll have lump out ...well, it's booked for 3rd of Feb.   Then radiotherapy.

I didn't cry last week when then they  told me probably cancer, didn't cry yesterday when it was worse than expected...her2+ and grade  3.

But today I'm really so so sad and shaking almost...it feels insane.

Thanks everyone.   Xxx

Hello, I initially told my oncologist I wanted a mastectomy, but she advised me to have a lumpectomy. I agreed with this, but had to go in again for a further WLE to get clear margins. Following this I had 5 day radiotherapy, which finished a couple of weeks ago. My breast seems to have survived radiotherapy, but I'm very itchy above the breast. I'm now in Anastrozole. Do I think it was the right decision, yes for me it was and I'm glad I took her advice. Yes I have a dent in the breast and my nipple has sort of folded inwards, which it didn't after the first op, but I'm still happy with my treatment. I believe I have a good breast care unit where I've been seen and so feel lucky.  Had I insisted on a mastectomy, they would have done one.I asked about protecting my heart as radiotherapy was on the left side, but I didn't have to do the breath hold, although I did start practising just in case and they can do things to protect your heart. This is decided at the planning stage.Hopefully you'll be ok with the results, but if you're not, once things have settled down, you could request a mastectomy. Sad and shaking is pretty normal, amongst a host of other feelings, you've had a huge shock.