Decision Time - Need Advice

Jackie07 · 06-02-2011, 12:47 PM

I've always regretted not to have insisted on a mastectomy when I was first diagnosed in 2003. Her2 is aggressive. The statistics (that lumpectomy + radiation = mastectomy) cited by surgeons (like mine did both when she was talking me into having a lumpectomy and later in an upset tone when my recurrence was finally discovered. She's a specialized breast surgeon) really doesn't apply to us Her2 gals.

Almost 4 years after the lumpectomy and radiation, after I'd lost three jobs in three years (very fatigued at work - always thankful that the minor accidents I'd had were not 'on' Interstate Highways), I finally requested an early mammogram through my breast surgeon. She confirmed those so-called 'scar tissues' interpreted by other doctors in the prior three years were indeed cancer recurrence.

Several members have 'reexcisions' listed in their sigature (treatment history.) If you read the story of Susan G. Komen, you'll know the horror of failed surveilance. She'd gone to doctors again and again, always was told her mammogram was clear (she had dense tissues)... until it's too late.

Why take the risk?

[I tested positive for BRCA1-VUS even though my medical oncologist had not thought it was probable. I'm the youngest of my family, but I was the first one to have experienced major surgeries (for brain tumor - unrelated to BC) After Mother and 2nd Brother's cancer diagnoses and treatments, it became clear that cancer runs in my family [HNPCC] ...

Estelle · 06-02-2011, 01:32 PM

This is a really personal decision. I had a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction (I was large), but when the path report came back with 10 + nodes (Stage 3c) I changed my plan. My cancer was very small .7 cm and another 1 cm in the same duct -- only detected in a mammogram. I figured if some that small did that much damage, the ladies just had to go. At the time I opted for no reconstruction -- I was only interested in finishing my treatment as soon as possible, without any possibility of complications from reconstruction slowing that down. But I had 10 positive nodes and considered myself blessed that it had not already spread. I have not regretted my decision, although now (2 years NED), I am thinking about maybe some reconstruction. I'll probably wait another year before deciding. Bottom line -- have a conversation about options down the line if you opt for a mastectomy and no immediate reconstruction now. I'm 61, I didn't think I cared at all, but surprise, I do care -- at least a little.

Hope this helps.