Breast Cancer Options...?

Question

My mom was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer... its a small tumor, not sure if its spread yet. She has two options... either completly remove the breast, or remove the tumor and start 4-6 weeks of radiation. She doesnt kno wat to do. Looking for woman who have, or know someone who was in this situation and has had one of the procedures. Why did you choose it... and do you think it was the best option? Please help. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone!! You have all been so helpful!! :)

Answer 1

Sounds as if your mum's cancer has been caught at an early stage which is great

Like Share I did not have the option of lumpectomy. I think if I had had the option I would have gone for lumpectomy. I agree that a mastectomy is not the painful operation your mum might fear.

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy because I had stage 3 grade3 cancer with several lymph nodes involved. I found radiotherapy tedious but painless; the treatment itself isn't painful and I just got a little pink and tender towards the very end of my 25 sessions - like very mild sunburn.

Some people I know (not all) who had a lumpectomy or immediate reconstruction had rather more discomfort, particularly under the breast.

Good luck to your mum whatever she decides. I am fit and well over three and a half years after treatment ended.

Answer 2

My cancer was too far advanced to have the option. I had to have my breast and lymph nodes removed, followed by both chemo and radiation.

I can tell her this. A mastectomy is not a painful surgery They can even do Reconstruction at the same time (which is a more painful procedure but is much easier to do at the time of the mastectomy than trying to come back and do it later). However, a reconstructed breast is not very sensitive and she would not have the same sensations.

I had radiation following chemo, which probably makes a difference. Many people say they don't have any problems and very little discomfort from radiation treatments. That was not my experience. I found radiation to be quite painful and that the treatments zapped every bit of energy I had. But again, I'm sure the fact that the treatments followed six months of chemo (and that I had stage three cancer) made a big difference.

For me, the fear that some cancer cells might be missed with just removing the tumor would sway me towards the mastectomy.

I hope I have not confused her more. Studies have shown both of her treatment options to be equally effective. She needs to think about it and decide what is important to her.

She can take comfort in knowing that whichever treatment option she chooses, the cure rate for early breast cancer is very high and her future looks bright.

Answer 3

I was faced with either a lumpectomy or mastectomy and decided on lumpectomy, with axial node clearance to determine spread. I was aware that on biopsy of the lump following surgery there was a possibility that I would still require a full mastectomy but opted to go with a conservative approach.

I went on to have chemotherapy and radiation afterwards and have had 2 1/2 years clear of cancer since completing my treatments.

Biopsy showed that they had cleanly removed the tumour, so further surgery was not warranted, however there had been minor spread to the lumph nodes which necessitated the chemo and radiation even if I had a full mastectomy, so it ended up the best choice for me.

Everyone is different, and your mother can only make the decision she feels comfortable with after full discussion with her surgeon and oncologist.

Answer 4

I ended up with a mastectomy. When they went in to do a lumpectomy they said there were cancer cells to the end of the tissue so they felt there was no other choice. My own thought is to forget the breast and go for your life. My sister had a lumpectomy and later had a mastectomy. It varies for people. You take in all the information and make the best decision for yourself from what information you get.

Answer 5

Here is the address for the ACOR breast cancer listserv. They currently have over 300 members with breast cancer. You can just read the Archives or ask the opinions of others who have had to make the same choice. This group is non-commercial and is monitored to keep conversations on topic and spam free. ACOR (association of online cancer resources) runs lists for over 100 types of cancer.

http://listserv.acor.org/archives/brca.html

My mother who also had a small breast tumor opted for the complete mastectomy and no radiation or chemo. She remains cured after eight years. She did take tamoxifen for five years after the surgery to prevent recurrence. She also had reconstructive surgery to reform her breast.

good luck to your mom

Answer 6

on one of the luckiest day {it was when we found my wife having early stage of breast cancer} ,my wife pulled my hand towards her right breast and said she felt some small thing protruding,though it is not pain ful,she feels somewhat new about this .casualy,and lukily we went to an orthopedic surgen,who directed us to have a check with onocologist.after several tests,mamogram,xrays,biopsy ......he confirmed that my wife has breast cancer.
we were given choice to takeup either remove the portion of tumor or completly remove the breast.my wife took a very bold stand that she would opt for removal of breast,and she was also not concerned about reconstruction of breast.
the breast was removed,and biopsy report /result - small tumor - not spread to lymph nodes,nipple and arolea.
had 4 chemotheraphy injections.the stage of cancer - as according to the doctor is of 2nd stage,with estrogen positive.
no radiation theraphy done as it is not required.
i am not well versed with medical terms and could not describe i that way.however,i wanted to tell that now my wife is having some sort of relief that she has been cleared totaly of the cancer tumor.this psychological feeling has given her more hope and she is almost near normal,though not fully.
In my opinion ,i would suggest full removal of breast,so that it would also give scope for more thoruogh biopsy,and would provide more clues for the best treatment.opting for part removal,or removing tumor alone had always in most caseses lead to further surgeries ,and the patient would have gone through the course of radiation theraphy ,which would cause more side effects,but in vain.removal of breast is the best option.pl.bear with me ,if my narrating is poor,or if i have missed using exact medical term.I have pointed that it was my lukiest day when we found the tumor.if we were not lucky ,worst would have happened,by way of neglecting ,the tumor would of spread,..............pl excuse my spellings and grammer.i am rushing to write this with full of emotion ,and between tears that i still could have my wife with me for many more years.

Answer 7

well i would tell her just to get the tumor remove and dont do radiation instead detoixe her body by eating organic foods and making carrot juice and drinking it about eight times a day.the carrot juice is the main ingrediant to getting ride of the cancer.my motherinlaw had breast cancer she did this and she dont have it anymore and they wanted to do the same thing to her and she said no tell your mom to do this and rely on god and watch a miricle happen.remember everything has to be organic