Haven’t seen a breast cancer thread in a couple years, but may have missed it. I was just diagnosed. Good news is that it’s small, and early. Bad news is that they want to fight it with surgery, 6 weeks of radiation, and 6 months of Tamoxifen. Then I’ve got my primary care doctor pushing for a double mastectomy. So confusing!
DW just had a similar deal. She choose double mastectomy in a heartbeat.
Good luck whatever you decide.
Don’t listen to what your primary care doctor says. Make sure you get your advice from a specialized cancer institute, my family member got treated at M.D. Anderson and it makes a world of difference to get treatment from a place that knows the very latest and does very careful evaluations. There are several top notch cancer institutes and you should choose one of them if you have a choice.
The good really is that it’s small and early. You have lots of resources in the area - use them and most of all, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
@toledo I was dxed in 2003, stage 1 dcis. A lot has changed since then. I agree with above posts to get a second opinion at a specialized center if you’re not near one get a 2nd opinion still. I was HER2 3+. Due to being so young, chose the bilateral mast.
Glad to hear you’re stage 0. I know it’s scary. Big hugs to you.
I agree with second opinion. Pushing double mastectomy for even Stage 1 raises doubts. Most important, don’t rush without getting more opinions.
I’m so sorry you have to go thru this. Hugs
I should add that we had access to world class Oncologists. Even my wife’s father & sister (both physicians) questioned her choice for double mastectomy. In the end, it was the right choice for her.
I too would suggest getting multiple opinions.
hugs and prayers, @toledo…
Oh toledo, best of luck. Take your time to learn everything. And if you decide to come to NYC to consult with doctors here, you’re welcome to stay with us. {{{{{Hugs}}}}}
Good luck, and get that second opinion from an expert in breast cancer.
Ignore your primary care doctor. Treatment of Stage 0 DCIS is a fast developing area. You need a breast cancer specialist and should get at least two opinions. The danger here is over treatment.
As a stage 3 survivor of 9 years…get opinions. And remember, this is not a popularity contest. Three days before I started chemo I had a total meltdown. My ex doctor, when I asked what was going to happen to me his office mailed a phamphlet on chemo. I got another doctor…pronto.
No advice, just thoughts and prayers.
@toledo …I know your head is swimming and you’re probably in a mild shock. Hugs to you. Get that second opinion, find the online message boards for your condition and research the heck out of it. Try to know what things to ask the doctors. It sounds like things are on the positive side with the size and we are all thankful for that. Please let us know how things proceed. Hugs to you.
No advice–just sending you positive energy and healing thoughts.
Hey @toledo . Sorry for your news. Went through this in 2008 and had a lumpectomy and radiation. suggested I do tamoxifen for 5 years.
All is well. Lots of new info on treatment of very early breast cancer. Get a second opinion. You have time.
The lumpectomy was easy. The radiation annoying. They are getting better with the amount of radiation and directing it.
Wish you the best. It will be okay.
I don’t consider myself a cancer survivor. I really pretend i never had it.
((((Hugs))) to you Toledo. I agree with the above posters who recommend getting a second opinion and doing your research. I was stage 2. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. In hindsight, I might of skipped the chemo, but I had an unusual situation with my lymph nodes.
I found it helpful to have my H accompany me to Doctor visits. I also recorded my conversations with my doctors with their permission. For many women, the process moves quickly and can be overwhelming, leading to a “deer in the headlights” reaction. Researching, writing down questions, and replaying the visits helped me to feel more in control.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry Toledo, but the early diagnosis is wonderful. I’ve had too many friends diagnosed but all are survivors!!. Agree with everyone else that another opinion is a must. There is no one size fits all approach. Also try to find other resources. For example, one hospital in our area has a breast cancer center and offers resources and support to patients to treat the whole patient, not just the cancer. It’s a more holistic approach. Best wishes through the coming months!
D2 was diagnosed with triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2A last year. (D2 was just 25–and no, she’s not BRCA carrier.)
@toledo
It’s incredibly important to be seen by an oncologist who specializes in breast cancer. There so many new treatment options that need be reviewed before you make any decision. Your oncologist will probably recommend breast cancer genetic marker testing. There are new tailored immunotherapy drugs that target breast cancers that have specific genetic markers. These new immunotherapies are very effective.
There are also new surgical techniques that can spare your nipple should you have a full or partial mastectomy.
D2 had 3 months of chemo that included 2 immunotherapy drugs plus tamoxifen, followed by a partial mastectomy and another 9 months of immunotherapy. These new immunotherapy drugs literally have saved her life.Five years ago her cancer subtype had terrible outcomes with poor 5 and 10 survival rates; now the outcomes are extremely positive.
@toledo thinking of you. Been there, had that, have the t-shirt, the scars, the slight perma-tan from the rads. Did tamoxifen for 5 years.
Second opinion all the way. My DCIS was focused, not diffuse, so mastectomy wasn’t even considered. Since my mom had BC, the doctors looked closely at the cells and decided that the extra treatment was warranted. In the years since, two of my sisters have been diagnosed with More serious cases of BC and I’m happy I went for it.
My surgeon was the best. I saw one oncologist who was so obnoxious I never went back. Radiation oncologist was phenomenal. I still see a medical oncologist every six months for alternating mammograms and MRIs.
Depending on grade, size, location, etc, treatment can vary. Do what’s right for you.