Should I Choose Mastectomy or Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer?

The answers I got was that lumpectomy statistically is the same as a mastectomy. That being said I would think the grade, stage, number of tumors (one or more?), chemo candidate or not, radiation ?, type of cancer (invasive or DCIS), triple negative or estrogen positive and etc. would weigh in the decision to have a mastectomy vs a lumpectomy. Maybe your doctors could elaborate on why they think the lumpectomy is the route they recommend for you. Also, second opinions are an option. It helped me decide on what route to take.

From my experience, I was diagnosed with DCIS in November 2023. My original thought was due a bilateral mastectomy and let’s just be done. After other biopsies and MRIs, my surgeon believed I was a good candidate for a lump ectomy, because the DCIS didn’t show up anywhere else except for one small area. I had a lump ectomy in January 2024 and out of all the slides. I did not have one clear margin. Turns out the DCIS was more extensive but not invasive. My surgeon and oncologist both said a single mastectomywould be the way to go, I opted for a bilateral mastectomy. I felt if the lumpectomy didn’t work, and the DCIS was more extensive, why play games. As I said, I can only speak from my experience, but I do know of folks who have just had a lumpectomy, and it was successful. I will say, I trusted my surgeon when she suggested a lumpectomy, and I trusted her again when we had to go back for the bilateral. I knew that it was a possibility that that could happen.

I had a lumpectomy on Nov 29 with sentinal node biopsy. I have no node involvement but my margins were not clear so I had revision surgery Feb 9 and now my margins are clear. So I will have 6 rounds of radiation with a "boost" over the incision. I was told after my 2nd surgery that if I had had a mastectomy instead of revision surgery I would not need radiation as my nodes are not involved. My scar is a straight line across the top of my breast where my 3cm tumour was located. Not sure what my breast will look like after the radiation. It is different for everyone. At this junction I am not disfigured. Yes, my breast is a little smaller but not noticable with my bra and clothes on. Don't overtreat yourself out of fear.

This is such a personal decision that can feel overwhelming when weighing all the factors. Many community members have faced this same choice between surgical options, and it's completely understandable to feel uncertain about the best path forward. Having open conversations with your surgical team about your specific situation, including your concerns about potential revision surgeries and radiation effects, can help you make the decision that feels right for you.