Decision time: bilateral mastectomy with recon OR radiotherapy

Libby, I had a lumpectomy in 2011, the scar too was barely visible around the nipple. My recurrence was in the same breast,same spot and another major lumpectomy with a 2 inch scar was left across the middle of my breast. It didnt bother me at all, my Surgeon said at that point I had nothing to gain from a Mastectomy to the Lumpectomy. Only reason I have done it is to not want another recurrence again. It took me a year to come to terms with and I struggled even with the lead up to a mastectomy, you can checkout my previous posts if you go into my profile. I mean literally a mess. I did however contact a Psychologist from 3yrs previous and that was the turning point for me, it helped so much. I am so settled, and knowing what I know now in hindsight I should have had a mastectomy in 2011 and maybe I would have saved a recurrence and chemo. So I think you make the right decisions at the right time. Its a difficult decision, and personal. Hugs xx Melinda 

@melclarity thank you for the reassurance about having a mastectomy. I really need advice from the surgeon about what options I have but it's so helpful to know you still feel like yourself. I came away from my lumpectomy with a tiny, neat scar, which is barely visible so a double mastectomy seems kind of drastic in that sense. But I really do want to take the no regrets approach and know that if cancer returns anywhere in the future, I've done everything I can to avoid it. 

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. X

Hello Libby,

I think what you need to look at is your actual diagnosis, so anyone here Triple Negative please jump in with your experiences. 

I've had it twice, my 2nd however was ER+ only, stage 3, so different diagnosis to you...Lumpectomy, clear margins, clear lymph nodesI had the same Chemo FEC and Taxol. BRCA Gene negative also. I couldnt have radiation as I had it in 2011. So Feb 2017 I had a single mastectomy/diep flap reconstruction, had the BRCA Gene test been positive it would have been automatic double. I'm happy with the choices Ive made over my 6yr journey based on my diagnosis. I think the radiologist is certainly valid and something to think about based on their professional opinion in response to your personal diagnosis.

Libby, I have to admit I was petrified to have a Mastectomy, but now Im through it with reconstruction I dont know what on earth I was so worried about. I feel incredibly normal and still ME :) 

Hugs Melinda xo

They tested mine twice as didn't believe it.

@primek Thank you Kath. 

Yes, my genetics team seem to believe the same thing - my grandmother died from ovarian cancer and my aunt had breast cancer. I think they were surprised at my being BRCA negative.

Thanks for saying you didn't regret your decision. That really helps me.

xx

Well I could have done the lumpectomy path also. I didn't carry the paternal braca1 gene they thought I had. But my sister (diff Dad) has breast cancer (and passed) and her daughter too (at 34)  Both of us have opted for bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I always thought my regular mammograms would detect cancer very early. It didn't due to breast density. Therefore I felt there was no reliable way for me to be sure no recurrence and no new primary. So I chose the bigger surgery and haven't regretted it. I miss my breasts of course but the fear was far greater for me. Although my surgery doesn't completely eliminate recurrence (can come back in sutre line or in ant timy remaining cells) it certainly reduces your risks and breast tissue by 97%. 

Although gene neg my genetics team believe my family carry a yet to be determined gene and believe all my sisters should at least have a breast surgeon review. 

It's a hard decision but you just have to choose what feels right for you.  Kath x