The aim of surgery is to remove the cancer cells from the breast and to provide pathology to determine what, if any, further treatment may be best for you.
The main types of breast cancer surgery are:
- breast conserving surgery (also called lumpectomy, partial mastectomy or wide local excision) -- the removal of the part of the breast affected by the cancer
- mastectomy -- the removal of one or both breasts
In most cases, breast cancer surgery will also involve the removal of one or more lymph nodes from the armpit (axilla). See the section on types of surgery for more information about this procedure.
During your breast cancer surgery, a sample of the breast cancer tissue removed by the surgeon will be sent to a pathology laboratory for testing. For more information about this, including how pathology test results are used, see the Breast cancer pathology page.
In some instances, especially for women with large tumours, chemotherapy may be recommended to shrink the tumour before breast cancer surgery. This is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. See the section on chemotherapy for more information.
Making your decision
The type of surgery you have will depend on a number of individual factors relating to your breast cancer, and your personal preference. Before making a decision, make sure you have all the information you need. Don't be afraid to raise any questions you have with your surgeon, or to seek an opinion from another surgeon if you are not happy with the advice you receive.
If you are offered a choice between breast conserving surgery and mastectomy, ask your doctor if there is any reason he or she would recommend one over the other.
Breast conserving surgery is often followed by a course of five or six weeks of radiotherapy -- you may want to ask about radiotherapy before making your decision.
You may also want to ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon before your surgery if you think you may want to have a breast reconstruction. Some types of reconstruction are done at the same time as breast cancer surgery, so it is important to consider reconstruction before proceeding with any surgery. The Breast reconstruction page provides more detailed information about the procedures involved in breast reconstruction.
Does your surgeon participate in the National Breast Cancer Audit?
The National Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA) collects data and information from breast surgeons across Australia and New Zealand about the treatment and care of women with breast cancer. The NBCA was established in 1998 with the purpose of improving the quality of care for women with breast cancer. It now has more than 270 surgeons from Australia and New Zealand participating in the reporting process.
If you are in the process of choosing a surgeon, you may wish to check the participation list on the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons website to see if your surgeon is participating in the NBCA.
Information about some of the research that has resulted from the data collected through the Audit can be found on our National Breast Cancer Audit page.
Staying in hospital
The amount of time you spend in hospital will depend on the procedures you have. Here are some tips to make your stay more comfortable:
- front-buttoning pyjamas are easier to undo and make it easier for your medical team to check your dressings
- earplugs and/or a music player might come in handy, especially if you are sharing a room
- if you have a breast care nurse, ask him or her to order you a free My Care Kit which contains a bra designed by Berlei especially for women to wear after surgery
- before you go to hospital, you could order a free breast care cushion from Zonta, which can be tucked under your arm to provide support when you sleep. Zonta breast care cushions are also available from most major hospitals.
Side-effects of surgery
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is swelling in the arm or the breast following the removal of lymph nodes in the armpit, and can be a side-effect of breast cancer surgery.
See the section on lymphoedema for more information.
Seromas
Collections of fluid (seromas) are quite common following surgery and occur in the area where surgery took place. In most cases the fluid will be absorbed by your body over time, but if it is uncomfortable, it can be drained by a member of your medical team.
Cording
It is fairly common to develop tender vertical cords in the armpit after the lymph nodes have been removed. This results in a pulling sensation down to the elbow or wrist. It is not harmful, but if tender, a warm pack on the area may help to reduce discomfort. They will disappear on their own within a few months.
More information
- The free My Journey Kit has more information about mastectomies and breast surgery.
- The personal stories section contains stories written by women who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery.
- Join our online network if you think talking to others online and sharing experiences will help.
- The breast reconstruction page provides more detailed information about the procedures involved in breast reconstruction.
- The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute has a brochure called Your Breast Cancer Operation which helps to explain what to expect before and after your breast cancer surgery. A brochure is also available on post-operative Wound Care. You can order these and other brochures free of charge through their website.
