What should I know about stage II breast cancer surgery options?

Thank you for sharing your questions about stage II breast cancer surgery options - this is such an important decision and it's completely natural to want to hear from others who have walked this path. Many community members have found it helpful to consider factors like tumor size and location, personal lifestyle needs, and how they feel about reconstruction when making this choice. The recovery experience can vary quite a bit between the two surgical approaches, so hearing different perspectives from others here should give you valuable insights as you work with your medical team to determine what's right for your specific situation.

Hi Victoria I was diagnosed originally with Triple negative breast cancer , January 30,2025. After talking with my husband and breast surgeon, I decided to have double mastectomy with breast reconstruction. I chose this for my treatment due to witnessing my mother fight cancer and then the recurrence and then she passed away. I was afraid this would happen to me. Chances of recurrence would be smaller with double mastectomy and I didn’t want to have any regrets later. After the surgery they did biopsy on the actual mass, I am ER+ and PR +. My only treatment now is Tamoxifen. I don’t regret my decision at all. I would recommend you fully recover after surgery, I didn’t and developed a breast infection. I had to have 3 additional surgeries. I don’t regret my choice for treatment at all. You have to do what you feel is best for you.

I had stage 2 and was given the option of a lumpectomy. I chose to fo a double mastectomy as I didn't want the constant worry of 'when will it cone back'. I chose every form of aggressive treatment to give it the least chance of voming back and I regret nothing. During the surgery they found it in 2 of the 4 lymph nodes that they originally thought were going to be clear. 16 rounds of chemo and 26 rounds of radiation complete and now on anastrazole and kisqali. 1.5 years NED and other than a few side effects, feeling great.