You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in the breast. Early-stage breast cancer means that the cancer cells haven't spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes in the armpit.
The two different types of surgery used to treat early-stage breast cancer are:
With either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, you may need to have a few lymph nodes from under your arm sampled. This is called a sentinel node biopsy. Or you may need more lymph nodes removed. This is called an axillary lymph node dissection.
Your doctor will look at the type, size, and location of the tumor you have and the size of your breast to help learn which surgery may be right for you.
Your doctor may recommend that you have chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It may make breast-conserving surgery an option, because less breast tissue has to be removed during surgery.
If you prefer breast-conserving surgery but are worried about radiation treatments, check with your doctor. Some women, such as those who are age 70 or older, may not need radiation.
Experts now know that there is no guarantee that breast cancer won't come back (recur) in the same breast after breast-conserving surgery or won't come back in the same area where your breast used to be after a mastectomy.
When comparing mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation treatments, studies show:
Your surgeon may recommend a mastectomy if:
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I don't want to lose my breast. It is a part of me, and I don't believe that I would feel the same way about myself if it were gone. Wearing a prosthesis seems like a hassle, and I don't want to have more surgery to reconstruct my breast, so the lumpectomy feels like the right choice for me. I don't mind going for the radiation treatments.
Maggie, age 61
I live about 60 miles from the nearest cancer center. Traveling to and from there each day will just be too much for me. I would rather have a mastectomy and not have to go through 6 more weeks of treatment. At some point, I may decide to have reconstructive surgery to restore my breast, but I can't take that much time off from my job right now.
Ruby, age 49
I don't want to have a daily reminder, a flat spot on my chest wall, about this cancer. I want the doctor to take out only what is necessary. I think if I had a mastectomy, my scar would be a constant reminder of my cancer, even if I chose to have reconstruction. Also, I work really close to the cancer center, so it will be easy for me to have my treatments.
Joan, age 52
I'm choosing to have a mastectomy because I want to put this part of my cancer journey behind me. I'm hopeful that only one surgery will be needed, because right now I just want to get on with my life. I know that I might need more treatments, but I'm okay with that.
Camila, age 65
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to choose mastectomy
Reasons to choose breast-conserving surgery
I am worried that breast-conserving surgery will not remove all of the cancer.
I don't mind trying breast-conserving surgery first and maybe having more surgeries if needed to remove all of the cancer.
Keeping my breast is not that important to me.
I really want to keep most of my breast.
I want to have a better chance of avoiding radiation treatments if I can.
I am worried about having problems after mastectomy, like getting an infection.
I'm worried about the inconvenience of radiation treatment, such as extra time and daily travel.
Time and travel for radiation treatment aren't a concern for me.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Mastectomy
Breast-conserving surgery
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in the breast. Early-stage breast cancer means that the cancer cells haven't spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes in the armpit.
The two different types of surgery used to treat early-stage breast cancer are:
With either breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, you may need to have a few lymph nodes from under your arm sampled. This is called a sentinel node biopsy. Or you may need more lymph nodes removed. This is called an axillary lymph node dissection.
Your doctor will look at the type, size, and location of the tumor you have and the size of your breast to help learn which surgery may be right for you.
Your doctor may recommend that you have chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It may make breast-conserving surgery an option, because less breast tissue has to be removed during surgery.
If you prefer breast-conserving surgery but are worried about radiation treatments, check with your doctor. Some women, such as those who are age 70 or older, may not need radiation.
Experts now know that there is no guarantee that breast cancer won't come back (recur) in the same breast after breast-conserving surgery or won't come back in the same area where your breast used to be after a mastectomy.
When comparing mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation treatments, studies show:
Your surgeon may recommend a mastectomy if:
Have a mastectomy | Have breast-conserving surgery | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I don't want to lose my breast. It is a part of me, and I don't believe that I would feel the same way about myself if it were gone. Wearing a prosthesis seems like a hassle, and I don't want to have more surgery to reconstruct my breast, so the lumpectomy feels like the right choice for me. I don't mind going for the radiation treatments."
— Maggie, age 61
"I live about 60 miles from the nearest cancer center. Traveling to and from there each day will just be too much for me. I would rather have a mastectomy and not have to go through 6 more weeks of treatment. At some point, I may decide to have reconstructive surgery to restore my breast, but I can't take that much time off from my job right now."
— Ruby, age 49
"I don't want to have a daily reminder, a flat spot on my chest wall, about this cancer. I want the doctor to take out only what is necessary. I think if I had a mastectomy, my scar would be a constant reminder of my cancer, even if I chose to have reconstruction. Also, I work really close to the cancer center, so it will be easy for me to have my treatments."
— Joan, age 52
"I'm choosing to have a mastectomy because I want to put this part of my cancer journey behind me. I'm hopeful that only one surgery will be needed, because right now I just want to get on with my life. I know that I might need more treatments, but I'm okay with that."
— Camila, age 65
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to choose mastectomy
Reasons to choose breast-conserving surgery
I am worried that breast-conserving surgery will not remove all of the cancer.
I don't mind trying breast-conserving surgery first and maybe having more surgeries if needed to remove all of the cancer.
Keeping my breast is not that important to me.
I really want to keep most of my breast.
I want to have a better chance of avoiding radiation treatments if I can.
I am worried about having problems after mastectomy, like getting an infection.
I'm worried about the inconvenience of radiation treatment, such as extra time and daily travel.
Time and travel for radiation treatment aren't a concern for me.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Mastectomy
Breast-conserving surgery
1. Which option has a slightly higher chance that cancer will come back in the same breast?
2. Which option has the higher chance of survival?
3. Which option has the higher chance of side effects from radiation, such as fatigue?
4. Which option has a longer recovery time and higher chance of problems, such as infection?
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Current as of: October 25, 2023
Author:
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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