Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy: My doctor says it is up to me...what should be my guide in this decision?

Hi Peg - First, ask the doctor about taking the Oncotype DX test, which will show pretty definitively how well (of at all) chemo would work for you. That will inform your chemo decision. As for lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, please read our post on making this choice - I think it'll help you out. Readers, what do you think? Mastectomy or lumpectomy, everything else being equal? PJH

Have you had your surgery yet? If not, I would go with the mastectomy.  I had a friend who had a lumpectomy and a year later she had to have a mastectomy.  Just make sure that they get all the cancer out and that your diagnoise is correct.  I had a mastectomy on the right breast, not a choice and I think I made a good one.  Wish now that I would of had the other breast taken out even if no cancer was found just for the future sake. 

Mary

I too had a mastectomy on the right breast, and I think I made a good choice.  I wish now that I would of had the other breast taken out even if no cancer was found just for the future sake.  Both would be done at same time, I would not have to worry or have the other one done later.

If you have cancer in 1 breast you have a 3% per year of getting it in the other breast. 

Another reason to get both done is you are physically "even" on both sides.  If both were gone, I could go braless in the evening/home with my robe/jammies without having a flat spot on my chest and summer when it's hot.

I opted out on reconstruction for many reasons including:

     1.  I saw all the medical issues my mom and sister had with their implants:

          a.  they get hard and you have to have another surgery,

          b.  sometimes nerve ending are rubbed with the implant and causes pain

     2.  Implants can cover up cancer in tests (mammo, manual feeling, etc.)

     3.  I wanted to keep the pain level @ a minimum. 

I was shocked that the mastectomy was not more painful - it really wasn't that bad.  I had arranged from someone to come in and help me for a week, and I only needed them for a couple of days.  The only thing that I wasn't able to do was drive for 2 weeks.

Good luck on you decision.  Whatever you decide, let us know what you decide.

Carolyn

Please ask your surgeon the following if they do a lympectomy and check your first two nodes and they find one is positive but the second one is not will he then take out all the nodes in a axilla dissection? If so ask him the long term side effects like lymphedema when you sign a surgery authorization there is a state mandated printed material make sure it is recently updated and if you have axilla dissection will they keep you over night will they make sure the drainage tube is left in long enough? Is your oncology doctors educated on long term lymphdema effects will your insurance pay for all the medical compression garments, therapy for life lymphdema bras, etc. Fact if you have a total axilla dissection then radiation there is a good chance lymphedema will develop if it is treated correctly asap it can be reveresable if not it is a chronic painful condition that really limits quality of life