Lumpectomy vs Mastectomy

Thank you for the reply Fowkey
good luck to you for the future xxx

Thanks for the reply BigT
Your story is what bothers me with a lumpectomy. I get that no one wants more surgery than is necessary, but the thought of having to go through another load of chemo is really worrying. 

Good luck with your surgery. i wish you the best for the future x

Hi Pink belle

Thank you for the reply, I too have a nagging feeling that a mastectomy would be better for me. I'm not sure i'll get much of a say, i was told my team would have made the decision based on all my results. But i'm told i'm no push over so i will go to my appointment as informed as i can be and hope they listen to me.

I wish you well for the future Pink belle xxx

Hi, 

I got to decide whether I wanted a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I was ‘borderline’ because of the size of tumour and I didn’t want to risk it so opted for a mastectomy. However Im aware it can still come back even after this. 

Good luck with your decision xx

I had this exact same worry, I’m still having my chemo  so haven’t made the decision yet. I did go back to my surgeon though to talk to her about it and the only thing that made me rethink the lumpeomy, because I was adamant I wanted a mastectomy - double if possible- my mantra was get rid of them I don’t want to go through this ever again! Then the surgeon said a mastectomy does not give you better chance of it not reoccurring, I asked her three times and she repeated it does not give you a better prognosis, secondary cancer if you are going to get it could be anywhere ! I have researched the pros and cons think the thing that is swaying me to lumpectomy now is the recovery time because this treatment has already taken so much of my time  good luck in making your decision xxx

I had breast cancer 9 years ago.  It was her2+.  I found it early and it had not spread to the lymph nodes.  I was advised to have a lumpectomy, which I did.  I had 6 sessions of EC chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and herceptin injections, though I couldn't finish all of he herceptin injections because it caused heart failure.  I found the chemotherapy easy, and just carried on with my life thoughout the treatment.  But 9 years later the cancer came back.  Same cancer in the same place!  I wish I had had a mastectomy!  I've now had to go through a mastectomy, and 12 weekly sessions of Paclitaxel chemotherapy. I am also having 18 x 3 weekly herceptin injections, (if i am able to get through them). I had a seroma, and trouble with my mastectomy wound leaking and the chemotherapy had to be stopped twice. They said it might be because I previously had radiotherapy.  I am now 74, and the chemotherapy was much harder for me this time.  I couldn't do much as I was very tired.  I finished the chemotherapy last week, and the last 4 weeks were pretty bad!  I still don't feel any better, and I am very weak.  I cant walk far, and I feel bloated.  

So I would say have the mastectomy, unless you feel it may difficult for you psychologically. 

Good luck! xxx

Hey, I have made my decision for a mastectomy and go in on Monday. When I mentioned about the chemo and radiotherapy afterwards. The surgeon said that I would not necessarily need radiotherapy if I had the mastectomy as long as it has not gone to the lymph glands. This was not the information I received initially so I am glad I have gone with my choice. There is still time for you to choose the right option for you. 
take care 

xx

Thank you for the replies. They were really helpful.

I spoke to the surgeon and he was really helpful. We settled on a lumpectomy as there wasn't much difference between the two in the risk of the cancer returning.

I mentioned a nurse was concerned about an anaesthetic due to my cardiac issues and as soon as i told him what the issues were, he said he's upgraded my lumpectomy to a mastectomy as radiation therapy can be hard on the heart.

I've a pre op appointment with the surgeon soon and by then he will have spoken to a load of people about the risk of radiation therapy to me and will have a final decision then as to what surgery i'm to get.

I'm glad i came on here to ask advice, i went to my appointment armed with questions.

I wish you all well for the future

Bettie x