Patient Opinions

I was diagnosed with triple negative which is a grade 3. Although no one likes the diagnosis of cancer, grade 1 of course is not as aggressive as some. My personal belief is to try to conserve the breast whenever possible. The statistics for re occurrence are no different whether you have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. However, there may be circumstances when a mastectomy may be advisable. Some people may think a mastectomy may guarantee them to be cancer free which may not be the case at all. This is a personal decision and you will need to weigh your options very carefully. Take into advisement what you surgeon and other doctors recommend, think about it, research what you can, and then make a decision that is good for you. I, myself did just that-my surgeon advised me to have a mastectomy after a second lump was discovered, I researched, thought about it, got several opinions and decided against it. And I am glad I did since on the third surgery which was exploratory there was no cancer found. Each person is different so just try to decide what you really feel in your heart is the best way for you to go. My heart goes out to you. What a tough, tough day it must be for you. I remember walking around in a shocked limbo state for a few days.

I was diagnosed with a grade 3/stage 1 tumour in October of 2009. Given my age (30) and my BRCA1 gene mutation, my doctors recommended that I start with a lumpectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy, but also suggested a follow up bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction as a precaution against a second breast cancer diagnosis (either in the same or the other breast). All of this being said, my aunt who has the same genetic mutation had breast cancer (stage 2) 18 years ago and opted to have a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. She still gets screened regularly, but has been cancer free ever since. It was not an easy decision, but I went through the double mastectomy in May of 2010 and had my final stage of the reconstruction in January of this year. I won't lie and tell you it was easy (physically or emotionally), but I am so relieved to never have to get another mammogram or MRI again. The results don't look as good as I imagined, but I am alive and cancer free. For this, I will always be grateful.

Know that there is no right answer because what might be right for me; might not be right for you. Although so many of us have been through breast cancer, we all have a unique story. Thank you for reaching out to the community and please let me know if you have any follow up questions or just need an ear. Big hugs, Terri