Stage 2 breast cancer: What treatments decisions did you have to make?

@100154 Congratulations on your success with your surgery and your radiation treatments. How are you doing with the Anastrozole? I have been on it for 15 months.

Hello Penpen - I've read all of the responses here to your question and there's a lot of great information and insight for you here from women who had to face the same decision. So much depends on your cancer and your doctor's recommendations but as members have said, you must make the decision that you feel most comfortable with and that will come to you (it's hard though and you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed, it's a big decision). I chose bi lateral mastectomy and I am happy with my decision. I didn't struggle much because I'd been first diagnosed with Stage 0 cancer in my left breast and had a lumpectomy then two years later Stage 1 cancer showed up in the right breast. That is when I decided to remove them both. My cancer was lobular (not ductal) and it's an 'equal opportunity breast cancer invader' (ha ha). Lobular is more likely to appear in both breasts vs. one breast. I was given the choice of lumpectomy for the second appearance of cancer or a bi lateral mastectomy and I jumped at removing the breasts because I was concerned about having cancer appear in both breasts and the sneaky nature of the lobular type of cancer (grows in a linear fashion instead of lumps and harder to find). I had benign lumps removed twice when I was much younger as well and I really didn't find the mastectomy any more painful than the lumpectomies. There is a longer recovery and it is a more major surgery but still very manageable. I have heard that from many women. They are pretty good at mastectomies now. I didn't do reconstruction and that was a second choice that must be made. I didn't want foreign objects in my body (the implants) and the length of time for reconstruction and recovery for me was going to be harder (because I was an ex smoker of only a couple years they would not do an immediate reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy). I'm older (61 years now) and had this surgery 3 1/2 years ago..... I opted to have my breasts removed so I wouldn't worry quite so much about recurrence and perhaps not be as lucky as I was to find it early both times. My cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes and I didn't need radiation or chemo. I was, unfortunately, unable to take the hormone blocking AI drugs post mastectomy, so I have some worries in that department but I'm coming up on 4 years cancer free now and hoping to keep it that way. Research, talk to your doctors, keep sharing on this site and other support groups and follow your heart......we've all been where you are and it's a tough decision but one that you will come to you. Hugs..........

I was just diagnosed 3 months ago with invasive ductal carcinoma and had to make the same choice...I had a bilateral masectomy with reconstructive surgery at same time...have phase 2 coming up in June. My decision was determined because of a very strong family history.. and I have never looked back..had hyperplasia cells in other breast as it turned out.My family and friends whom had cancer prior were a huge factor in my decision...it is different having implants but really...It was not a terrible surgery at all! But having said this, like so many have said...everyone is different and you have to do what feels.best for you...we are so blessed for the medical care we have available now compared to 10 years ago!

I so appreciate all of the information each of you have posted. I have been diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I too have an extremely strong family history with all of my 5 siblings having cancer. My sister had it in both breasts, my mother, my two grandmothers. My brothers coped with pancreatic, kidney and prostate cancer. I am strongly leaning toward bilateral masectomy as well. Again, thank you to all of you for input!

What is proton beam therapy? What is bilateral mastectomy?

@penpen
Bilateral mastectomy is the removal of both breasts.

I went on line to see what was the bilateral mastectomy....looks like a lot of work and pain. I did look up proton beam therapy and that sounds like it is a better way for treatment.

Proton beam therapy is the most technically advanced method to deliver radiation treatments to cancerous tumors available today. The unique advantages of proton therapy lead to potential fewer harmful side effects, more direct impact on the tumor and increased tumor control.

It is a difficult decision. No option looks or sounds good because frankly, part of you is saying this can't be happening to me and I just want the cancer out of my body now! So mentally, it is hard to make a decision period. I wish that there was some guarantee, but either way you decide, there are no guarantees. They really don't know the full picture until you have surgery and they can more fully evaluate the tumor and your lymph nodes. My advice is to read the information the doctors give you, get your doctors opinion, ask your doctors lots of questions and listen to your heart and what is right for you. What option gives you the most peace? Remember that you are working with some of the best doctors in the world with lots of experience and knowledge. Whatever you decide, it will be ok and is right for your. Just take it one day and one decision at a time.
In July 2017, I had stage 2 estrogen positive invasive lobular carcinoma and chose a lumpectomy and 30 radiation treatments. I had never had a surgery before this, so I was extra nervous about any surgery. I took the advice of my doctors to have a lumpectomy. I had low risk factors for reoccurence. My lymph node results from surgery was 1 of 4 with a small amount of cancer. Anyway, I found that the radiation skin affects were not that bad. When I started radiation, it was suggested that I use Mepitel, which is a breathable film that they placed on the skin over the area receiving radiation and you leave on as long as you can before reapplying. Mepitel doesn't shield the skin or interfere with the radiation, but basically prevents your skin from sloughing off. You have to try not to get it wet so it will stay on longer, but I believe that it minimized my skin issues. I had a great Oncology nurse that applied it and helped me evaluate and told me what to do with the skin issues I did have. The worst part was that I didn't shower during this 6 weeks time. I just took baths so as not to get the area wet, but they recommend during radiation that you minimize anything that dries out your skin anyway. It was all very doable. Hope this helps. Praying for you and all faced with the decisions that cancer brings.

I also had invasive lobular .. are you on any hormone blocker such as anastrozole?