Having breasts removed

onya

My name is Sonja and new to the group, I have been in remission for 8 years now with having breast cancer twice and not having too many issues until the last 3 years.

The last 3 years having been very hard mentally and physically with many,many mammograms,ultrasounds and biopsies, the results have always been great results which I’m thankful for but I just can’t deal with the trauma off having to do this constantly as it really messes with my head. At this stage I’m talking about having both breasts off, have done a lot of research on these issues and really wanting some guidance from anyone that has been thru this.

At 61 years of age I would like to enjoy the rest of my life and not have to constantly worry about about finding lumps and having to go thru the trauma of what has to be done to get the results.
Any info that I can get would be greatly appreciated.

arpie

So sorry to see you join our select little group @onya .... the one no-one thought they'd ever join!   Specially with an earlier recurrence      Yes, the yearly checkups are quite confronting, aren't they?

Have you considered whether to have reconstruction yet, or will you remain 'flat'?

If you'd like to chat with others who've had double mastectomies - you might like to consider joining the 2 surgery 'private groups' - then you'll get insight into both types of surgery and can ask questions and even see before & after pics.

Choosing Reconstruction
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction      and/or

Remaining Flat
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction

Take care & ask any questions that you like - there are no 'silly questions' xx

In the mean time, I've just done a search on 'prophylactic' - and you may like to read some of these posts:
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/search?domain=all_content&query=prophylactic&sort=-dateInserted&scope=site&source=community

Abbydog

I was considering going flat. I had Mastectomy with axillary clearance, Chemo RT and Aromatase Inhibitor tablets.
I hated being lopsided. I'm not a small lady, and ended up deciding not to go flat, because I would be larger on my bottom half. I had a Latisimus  Dorsi Reconstruction  and a prophylactic Mastectomy to the other side. Done at the same time. Bilateral tissue expanders, then changed to Breast Implants. I am very happy with my choice.
I no longer need Mamograms etc. I have no evidence of Breast cancer, but I still have checkups with the Oncologist. I don't know if this helps. But that was my train of thought.