Mastectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Mastectomy (mas-TEK-to-me) is surgery to remove the breast. It may be done to treat breast cancer (tumor) and keep the cancer from spreading. Mastectomy is usually done if there is more than one tumor present in the breast. It may also be done if the size of the tumor is big in relation to the size of your breast. Sometimes, mastectomy is done as a form of prevention in women who are at a very high risk of getting breast cancer.
  
  
• Mastectomy may be done on one or both breasts and may be total, modified radical, or radical. Total mastectomy is removal of the whole breast, without taking out any other part. In a modified radical mastectomy, axillary (underarm) lymph nodes are also removed in addition to the breast. Radical mastectomy is removal of all the breast, axillary lymph nodes, and chest muscles under the breast. The type of mastectomy to be done will depend on what type or how far the cancer has spread. You and your caregiver will decide which type of breast removal surgery is right for you.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Breast exams: Do a monthly breast exam on your other breast. If you are having periods, do it 2 or 3 days after your period ends. If you have gone through menopause (change of life), check your breast on the same day each month. You may also need to have a mammogram taken regularly. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to do a breast exam and when to have a mammogram.

Radiation: You may need to have radiation therapy after your mastectomy. This is a treatment using x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation may help kill cancer cells that were left and keep these cancer cells from spreading.

Reconstruction: Reconstruction surgery is done to make a breast that comes close in form and appearance to a natural breast. If a breast reconstruction has not been done, you may have one done at a later date after the incisions from the mastectomy have healed. The breast may be reconstructed using a flap taken from another part of your body or an artificial implant. If you choose not to have a breast reconstruction surgery, you may use a prosthesis (artificial breast) that can be worn in the bra. This may be made of foam or polyester fiber. Ask your caregiver for more information on breast reconstruction or other forms of prosthesis.

Rest: You may feel like resting more after surgery. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have discharge or pain in the area where the drain was inserted.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery, illness, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel something is bulging out into your chest and not going back in.
  
  
• You have pain in the chest or armpit that does not go away even after taking pain medicines.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• Your incision has blood, pus, or a foul-smelling odor.
  
  
• Your shoulder, arm, or fingers feel numb, tingly, cool to touch, or look blue or pale.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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