Jussnunu, hi, and I’m very sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

I too was diagnosed with IDC in January; right breast. I had two tumors ( much bigger than yours) so the placement eliminated any possibility for a lumpectomy, but it may possible for you. I had a unilateral mastectomy with 8 nodes dissected ( removed). I did not need chemotherapy based on a typing called ONCOTYPE.

I was terrified when I got the diagnosis and can easily relate to how you feel right now and I too assumed chemotherapy and hair loss ( 5 months before my daughters wedding) was in my immediate future. But as it turned out it wasn’t!

So, the advice I offer, until you have more information, is that you understand that there are lots of variables and no one plan fits all. Allow all the fears and anger and incredulity to have their time to be expressed and then Take a deep breath and step back into Gentle Warrior Mode.

You must educate yourself so that you can self advocate. And pull in a trusted support person who can help you sort through the information and help you make decisions… you will need to make decisions.

Based on the biopsy some information is available but some needs further analysis ( likely requested) . So, are you waiting for any test results now?

Most important is to get the earliest possible appointment with an oncologist. Also of note, IF you are hormone positive you will likely be taking a hormone blocking med. I encourage you to ask your oncologist if you are a candidate for an ONCOTYPE analysis . If you are a candidate there are concerns about starting the hormone blocker before an adequate tissue sample is taken. It may negate the ability for ONCOTYPE analysis.

Questions to ask :
-Stage of cancer?
-Grade?
-Hormone positive or negative?
-HER 2 Positive or Negative?
-genetic based gene mutation?
-Node involvement ?
-am I a candidate for ONCOTYPE DX?

So many factors determine treatment. The good news ( in the not good news) is that treatments have improved greatly over the years and are being tailored to individual situations.

If you are physically close to a major Breast Cancer Center like MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING, MAYO CLINIC, MD ANDERSON, Montclair Breast Center etc. these are GREAT OPTIONS. Many large hospitals have cancer centers with Breast Cancer specialists too.

Lots of great information at SusanGKomen .org.

This is tough and web are here for you!

Please keep us posted. 🌸

Hello, I also was diagnosed with IDC, and the time where you are right now was the hardest for me. You have a tiny bit of information, only the most shocking part. If you can, try not to make yourself crazy with “what ifs”, I know it is hard. Take a deep breath and try to blow out some stress with a powerful exhale, this helps me to refocus some. I also give myself set times to worry and think about it, this way I can then move forward and give myself permission not to think about it for a while.
I agree with others here, I would call and ask for the soonest possible appointment. Also knowing what I know now, I would have someone I trusted with me at every appointment that I could, and I would ask if I could record appointments with a lot of information so that I wouldn’t forget things. You will get a lot thrown at you all at once and sometimes your brain will turn inward from bad news, mine did this without my permission.
I would ask that any and all tests that I need, to be performed before treatment decisions are made, making those decisions well informed.
Now for the best part; if you only have the one small spot, you likely could be offered a lumpectomy, and if you decide or require a mastectomy, insurance is now required to cover reconstruction if you desire it. Fewer women get chemo these days because the new tests will help decide if it will likely be beneficial, but if you lose your hair, rock it with dignity, lots of women shave their heads today and look amazing.
Last but not least tell your doctors you would like to preserve fertility if at all possible and most doctors are very receptive to this. There is actually quite a bit of research into how to manage this.
Breast cancer.org website has tons of information about all kinds of things breast cancer.
https://www.breastcancer.org/
You should absolutely write down every question you have and cross it off as you get answers, you deserve to feel comfortable in your plan.
Are you being treated at a large hospital or cancer center? Do they have a patient navigator you could access?