I met with my surgeon, who went over my pathology reports. I was told everyone on the team (surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, cardiologist- hope I didn't forget anyone- lol!) felt that the size, location, pathology of the tumor, my current health- other than bc of course- allowed me to be a candidate for either surgery. She went over what it would mean to have the lumpectomy- in my case, chemo first to shrink the tumor so the surgery would be less invasive, as they take the tumor and some tissue surrounding it (called the margins). If the margins are clear of cancer cells- yay! If not, a second surgery may be recommended to get those clear margins, and radiation. In case any additional surgery might be needed to "even things up" between the two breasts, etc. a plastic surgeon would join the team.

If I chose the mastectomy, in my case, it would be surgery first- (they would still test the margins), then chemo, and radiation might be considered depending on the type of reconstruction I chose- and again, this would be something to discuss with the plastic surgeon. I asked what the protocols would be for no reconstruction- and it was surgery, chemo, no radiation. I went with that option as I just wanted to get back to healthy, and my life as quickly as possible. My husband was there for all the discussions and agreed he would support whatever choice I made, though he later admitted he was hoping I chose exactly what I did.

My surgery was December 2018- and so far, no regrets- I am just sorry that we are ever placed in a position where we have to make these decisions. But if ever there was a time for You do You!!- this is it! Wishing you all the best as you weigh the pros and cons- and make the choice that is best for you! Tight Hugs!

I want to say this just to put it out there and not to scare anyone. I am stage four so I wasn’t offered either, but I am apart of two Facebook groups where there are women that are all stage four and some.. actually large group of them had cancer previously, and chose a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. I am not a medical professional, and I just got diagnosed right after I turn 36 the week after I turn 36 so I’m still learning, but I am a little bit into this journey and all of them who have had the lumpectomy said they’d wish they had had the mastectomy. Some of them have a debit, where there a lump was taken out. Some of them have a smaller breast on that side, but all of the women who have expressed their opinion about lump ectomy versus vasectomy that I’ve read on the page wishes they had had at least one or both taken off at the same time, and then you can always have reconstruction once you heal. so while your medical professional may say it’s overkill just read the percentages for reoccurrence in lumpectomy patients. And again this is not to scare you or anybody else and I’m not speaking from experience, but there are a lot of women and some of these groups so before you make a decision just do some research and be your own advocate if you want them both done push for it. If you want one done push for it. If you decide to lumpectomy is better for you than push for it we are our own best advocates And he can say it’s overkill but he’s never had breast cancer.

My surgeon recommended lumpectomy with radiation but i never could get comfortable with the choice. I ended up having a DMX. It was just the choice the gave me peace of mind.

I had a mastectomy due to my small tumors being far apart in the breast. this was determined by mammography, 2 biopsies, ultrasound and an mri. I trusted my surgeon and he did a nice job - I still have my nipple! Also had 5 weeks radiation because one sentinel node had cancer cells.

Ah, the decision I agonized over! I told my breast surgeon I wanted a bilateral mastectomy. She said I didn’t need one, but since I had to have chemo first, she told me to research it. If I still wanted the mastectomy, she would do. I did do research, and got a second opinion. I ended doing a partial mastectomy, she removed half the breast and I got reduction on the other side. I did need radiation because I did not get a mastectomy.
Factors the suggest a mastectomy include: being BRCA positive, having a prior lumpectomy with radiation on the breast, having multiple tumors.
Good luck!