What should I expect with ER/PR positive breast cancer and double mastectomy?

Facing a breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when there are still unknowns about staging and treatment plans. Many people in this community understand the anxiety that comes with waiting for more detailed information after surgery. The surgical team and oncology team will have much clearer answers about next steps once pathology results are available, which typically helps create a more specific treatment roadmap. This community has many members who have navigated similar journeys and can offer valuable support and insights as more details become available.

Hello Diane! I too have IDC (in my right breast with lymph node involvement) and DCIS (in my left breast. I’m stage 1b category 3. Axilla lymph node biopsy came back malignant. My treatment plan was to start chemo first (I’m triple positive so I’m doing TCHP). I will have a bi lateral mastectomy in June (last chemo treatment is May 15). Followed with a DIEP flap reconstruction. From my understanding I won’t know if I need radiation until after the surgery and the dr gets the pathology reports back. After surgery, I will do 11 cycles of Herceptin and Perjeta (for the Her 2 targeted therapy) and I will start some type of hormone therapy for the PR and ER part (hormones). I’m not sure what that looks like. I’ve learned to take treatment in “phases”. Phase 1 was getting through chemo, phase 2 will be surgery, stage 3 will be my targeted therapies. I’ve also learned that no two cancer/patients are alike. So your treatment plan may look different. I wish you the best 🩷🩷