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Breast Cancer
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Posted 1/8/2005 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help and response.  My aunt who is a nurse is helping my Mom to get a second opinion.  Have any of you ever heard of a Dr. Deck?  Both my Aunts feel that it is strange that my mom's HMO is already talking about a Mastectomy.  They brought it up almost from the start when they could not find the lump using a regular Mammography.  Have any of you ever encountered surgery happy Doctors?!?

Thanks,

Christina

Posted 1/8/2005 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Do you live in a big city or small town? North or South? I have heard that different demographics tend to have different recommendations. But , if they have used several techniques to find the cancer (mammography, ultrasound, CT), there are not many other options. If they know she has BC but they cannot locate the primary, I would think a mast is necessary, as the best chances to remove the primary tumor from the body. A 2nd opinion is definitely warranted, especially because this may be an unusual case.

Lori
Posted 1/8/2005 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
IMHO no doctor would take a woman's breast if he did not feel it necessary. In fact, sometimes I feel like they try to conserve breasts more than they should. Quite often I have thought, and it is only my opinion, that having a lumpectomy sounded pretty chancey. Not always, tho, there are many cases where a lumpectomy is fine, when they know the cancer is low grade, very small and very early. I probably could have gotten away with a lumpectomy but I chose mastectomy thinking I wanted rid of the cancer period. I did not have to have chemo or radiation after chosing the mastectomy because the doctor's felt I was clear of cancer. It is now over eight years later and I have had no problems with recurrence or any other cancer. My diagnosis came at age 58, I think that made a difference, too. My daughter was dx at 39 and also had a mastectomy and then one round of chemo and she seems to be fine six years later. Tell us where your mother lives, perhaps one of us is nearby and can offer some other doctors to check out. A second opinion is never a bad idea. But it should be with a breast cancer specialist if at all possible. Hugs Mary K.
Posted 1/8/2005 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Second opinion is always a good idea. But, recommendations are different with differing types of B/C. I had a rare type of cancer that could only be treated with a mastectomy. So, I really never thought my doctors were surgery happy, only lending their expertise and knowledge to the information I needed. Good luck. Love and hugs, Candy
Posted 1/11/2005 2:30 AM (GMT 0)

I agree with the second opinion if you're concerned.  I had a choice the first time and went the way of a mast.  Now almost 9 years later and a recurrence 10 months ago - wish I had been given the choice of a double mast back then.  As my husband said, "Who needs those breasts, anyway, all we need is our Mom (yes, he calls me Mom most of the time too)!"

I figure I want the whole deal and all of the treatment needed to survive this nasty beast!!!

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