Almost a year ago, I had a lumpectomy for an 18mm, node negative (assumed from sampling), vascular invasive, stage 1, grade 3, Er- Pr-, HER2+++ tumour in my left breast.
This was followed by FEC chemo, 30 sessions of radiotherapy, and now I'm 8 weeks into a years course of Herceptin.
After I'd had the lumpectomy, the consultant/surgeon advised me to think about a single mastectomy, due to the high grade and vascular invasion.
Two oncologists (one being one of the leading oncs in the UK) said that this course of action seemed a bit drastic, and in their opinion, there was no need for a mastectomy.
I seriously considered asking for a prophalactic mastectomy, because as so many other people say, it feels like it's a time bomb waiting to go off.
I eventually decided to leave it as it was, with just the lumpectomy.
I was told by my oncologist, that I'd have to decide whether to have a mastectomy, before I had radiotherapy. I assume this is due to the skins/tissue reduced ability to heal, after radiotherapy.
I've since finished radiotherapy treatments.
After all the advice on mastectomy, or no mastectomy, I found out I was HER2+++.
I still worry about my decision of not having a mastectomy, and I still sometimes wish I'd have asked for a prophalactic mastectomy. I don't know whether to talk to my onc about it, next time I see him.
To be honest though, he's not one of the most helpful people I've ever known, so I thought I'd ask opinions here..
Has anyone opted for a prophalactic mastectomy, or even a mastectomy on just the one side, for early stage? or are you confident (as can be) that a lumpectomy would be enough?
I know there are no definitive answers on this, but I'm feeling so unsure about my decision.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated
Prophalactic Mastectomy for Early Stage BC?
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