Not removing my breast tumour yet

Hello

I've been on treatment for a year ish and it was the same for me. 

I intially really wanted them to remove both breasts just in case. I felt very strognly about this, why have something in me that wants to kill me?! BUT Surgery was not seen to be helpful/necessary/useful in my case because the lump was so close to the skin. Fast forward 3-6 months and very importantly the lump has ceased to exist because of the meds I am on (palbociclib/letrozole and zoladex). So I got to keep my boobs (win!) Sometimes when I'm self assessing, I'll have a feel of where the lump used to be and I find it reassuring (silver linings!)

In hindsight, I am pleased I got to keep my boobs. Keeping them caused no harm. My meds were and continue to be just as effective.

You should do whatever feels right for you, armed with your team's advice because they will know all the facts about your case.

Hi Greenery

Thanks for replying- that has reassured me and that does make sense and that’s great news! I’m worried though that mine hasn’t shrunk enough- I feel mine is quite large but am I just being impatient? The fact that it has shrunk a little I know is good as it’s going in the right direction! I can feel it in me and I hate it but would rather it shrunk and disappeared rather than surgery I suppose!

Thanks

I had another cancer before this and the words of my oncologist and my dad always rings true. If your drugs/treatment keep the tumour steady or decrease it, then they are both a positive result and what you are after.
The only thing that might be considered a concerning result is if it grows while you are on treatment. That’s not the intention. Yours is moving in the right direction, which is fantastic news. 

Forgot to add- as it means you are responding to treatment rather than not responding to it. 

Hi Jo6

my first diagnosis was secondary in Nov 16. I have not had an operation to remove breast tumours. It took me a long time to understand why they wouldn’t remove the breast. I did have some growth of the breast lumps maybe after about 9 months of treatment but they zapped it with radiotherapy and it has been stable ever since.  

Just thought it might be useful to see there are a few of us not had the op.

take care

Thanks Greenery and Angela for your replies. I suppose it makes sense. I just hate carrying it around with me sometimes and knowing that it’s still there!