[Westcoastgirl]

Hi Joan, I had the decision to make; lumpectomy vs mastectomy. They had found a suspicious area in a mammogram that when biopsied was malignant. The surgeon wanted a mastectomy and the oncologist thought otherwise. I went with the surgeon as he was older, I thought wiser, and had had way more experience. I was later told that he was one of the most respected surgeons in the area. What I did find out however was in pathology they found another area in my breast that was precancerous and despite being in a very accessible area did not show up in mammograms. So if I had not had a mastectomy I would have been dealing with another cancer a few years down the road. As it is I will be doing radiation but I thank my lucky stars I had such a determined surgeon. He told me if I wanted a lumpectomy I would have to find another surgeon. Thank goodness I didn't. But then that is just my experience. I wonder if a mastectomy would cut back on some of the treatments you would have to do and that would always be a blessing. Such a difficult decision. I wish you all the best. Carolyn