Lumpectomy + radiation VS Mastectomy -- pros cons?

Chose double mastectomy.
I dont regret it at all

@jawold Have decided to move forward with double mastectomy and reconstruction. I feel clear about my choice which I'm thankful for, even amidst it also being intense. I'm looking for any specific tips/insight on things like timeline of healing, how much direct, in-house assistance (as I live alone), basics like sleep tips and bras. I'm searching online of course for this info too- but anything that really helped or worked for you, would appreciate it all! Thank you. And sending love and peace to everyone through the holidays.

I had atypical hyperplasia on one breast after multiple mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsy clips. A lumpectomy was done. I went for the 6 month follow up and was diagnosed with DCIS.
After careful research I decided on a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. I am 68 years old and still wanted to have breasts. It was done in one surgery. Skin and nipple saving. Went home the same day I always worked out hard and even more so before the surgery before the and was in good shape so the recovery was not too bad. Drains are a nuisance but short lived. The first couple of weeks are difficult but it gets better after that. Get pajamas where you can put your drains in. It helps. I had someone help me wash my hair the first week. I am seven months post surgery and back doing everything I want. I do have some creases on one breast… will determine if they can do anything about that.. but overall quite happy with the outcome. When the pathology report came back I had another atypical hyperplasia in the first breast again…. So I made the right decision for me. They give you a bra to wear after surgery. I ordered front zipper sports bras after that. I still wear a bra at night

The Drs. also gave me a choice of a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. However, I had all my treatment before my surgery. That included chemo and radiation. To be honest, the radiation wasn't all that bad. I did get burned some, but the Dr. gave me a cream (Silvadene) that help tremedously with that. I had over 20 sessions of radiation. I didn't question what the Dr.s wanted to do and am doing well so far. The only thing I really didn't like was the AI's. They are terrible! I was on 3 different ones and they are all awful!! Best of luck to you!!

Regarding "terrible" AIs--you might try taking the pill MWF--or half pill daily. This regime lowers estrogen as much as daily pill. Here are some studies:
Alternative dosage aromatase inhibitors--could not find any studies
Letrozole: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4740217/
Exemestane: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36951827/
Tamoxifen: https://www.droracle.ai/articles/79964/what-are-the-options-for-low-dose-tamoxifen-tamoxifen-citrate
No studies for anastrozole that I could find. Also as best I can tell, they all report that estrogen is lowered, but they don’t address the question of whether the lower dose prevents recurrence as well.

I made the decision to have a double mastectomy, because I carry the cancer gene. I also made the decision because I didn't want my breasts to try to kill me again! Now that I am flat, I've realized how freeing it is. No more having to wear those darn restrictive bras anymore? I do have prosthetic breasts I can wear if I want. Why have the possibility of having to heal from two surgeries, and just have one and be done. My cancer was in a lymph node and I did experience some lymphoma, but your shown how to get rid of it. After almost three years I have no lymphoma. It's a decision that only YOU should make!

I chose single mastectomy because to do the other meant driving two hours, five days a week for five or seven weeks. I wish I had double mastectomy, didn't even think of it at the time. My husband has significant cognitive decline, and can't be alone for too long.

I was diagnosed in August with breast cancer stage 1-2 carcinoma. I could have elected to have a lumpectomy, but my breast surgeon suggested mastectomy. I decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery due to the fact breast cancer runs in my family. I said one and done. The cancer did spread to my left lymph nodes but went undetected until I had the actual surgery. I will not need chemo, but will have radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. I also have chronic fibromyalgia in my central nervous system, along with mild lupus. I was told there would be no side effects until 3 weeks in. Fatigue being the main side effect. I have had 3 doses of radiation and the fatigue has already begun. I do not feel there has been enough studies done on chronic fibromyalgia and radiation treatment for breast cancer no matter what stage of cancer diagnosed.
Is there anyone on this forum going through the same thing?

I choose a double mastectomy, they thought the cancer was only in the right sight, after the surgery they found it was also in the left that the testing did not pick up. I am so greatful that I got rid of both breasts. I am wondering whether choosing reconstruction was the right choice. The drains on the right side were a problem. The tissue expander on that side had to be replaced with new drains. Then I was told I still needed radiation which ment that I had to wait another year until I could have the implants put in. I didn't think the reconstruction would go on this long. I'm 68 and think maybe I should have gone flat. My thinking was that with reconstruction I could put it all behind me, but the reality is regardless of what you do you think about it every day.

@buddyboy69, there are several people talking about fibromyalgia and breast cancer treatments. See all related discussions:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/breast-cancer/

I think you'll be particularly interested in this discussion:
- Fibromyalgia and radiation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fibromyalgia-and-radiation/