Checking Your Lymph Nodes
You will need to know whether or not the cancer has traveled beyond your breast. One way to test for this is to examine your lymph nodes. There are two surgeries that accomplish this, both of which share a potential side effect:
Making Your Surgery Decisions
Once you have your comprehensive diagnosis, it's time to sort your options for surgery. Ask your surgeon all the questions that are important to you, consider your priorities, and make your choice.
Therapeutic Breast Surgery
Breast cancer surgery is done to prevent cancer recurrence. The goal is to remove the tumor so that it won't reappear in your breast or spread to other parts of your body. You may have several choices for breast surgery, depending on the size of the tumor, the type of cancer, and the size of your breast.
- Lumpectomy: Breast-conserving Surgery
- Quadrantectomy: Segmental Mastectomy
- Mastectomy: Removing the Breast
Navigating Breast Cancer Surgery and Recovery
Now that you've made your decision, schedule your surgery and then begin to prepare yourself. Check with your insurance provider, pack your things, and collect all your comfy pillows. Make sure you know the sick leave policies at your workplace, and talk with your supervisor.
Next Steps in Your Journey
After you recover from surgery, you may need additional treatments to lower your risk of recurrence. Be sure to take a break between surgery and radiation or chemotherapy. Use the time to learn more about what to expect during your treatments. Gather supportive people around you, and spend time with those you love. Most of all, take it easy as you recover from surgery.
