Hi newly diagnosed 4 days ago seems scary but reading others stories I’m worried as they are just removing the nipple ducts together with the lump they say I won’t need chemo or radiotherapy. It must have come from somewhere so surely cutting this out won’t stop it again
can I insist on some form of treatment following surgery
HI SueW
Welcome to the forum although sorry that you DO find yourself here - courtesy of the dreaded BC.
When you say they are removing the lump, is it invasive ductal carcinoma or DCIS ductal carcinoma in situ? If it's DCIS, it tends to be a collection of cells rather than a lump as it's not yet turned into invasive cancer. I'm presuming as they are saying you won't need chemo. or radio. it's DCIS, but often DCIS is treated with radiotherapy after removal. I often read stories of women having to go back for more surgery as they didn't get clear enough margins around DCIS because it is harder to find than a lump as it's a collection of cells rather than formed into a tumour.
I had IDC and DCIS and although I was treated for the 'worst one' - being the IDC, I still would have had radiotherapy had it been the DCIS only, so I can totally understand why you would want some other treatment.
The radio. is there to 'mop up' any stray cells that might be missed by surgery and if I had been told this, I personally would be concerned as to whether I should be having radiotherapy. They might be microscopic and radio. would get them.
There is a list of side effects to radio. but I was left sided, so it was over my heart and I couldn't even do the breathe technique - no problems except for a few burns which obviously healed and I'm 6 years down the line now with no issues from radio. whatsoever. The only thing is that once you've had radio on the affected breast, you can never have it again. So yes, it's definitely worth you while pushing for more information about radiotherapy/ 2nd opinion on whether you should be having it.
Best wishes, Lesley
