Hi everyone, Thanks for adding me in here , I am recently diagnosed with DCIS on my right breast ( extensive, intermediate grade ) . My surgery date is on 18th Nov . I feel overwhelmed with everything at the moment My surgeon said My treatment will be mastectomy on right breast and one lymph node will be taken out for further test. My question is should I have both mastectomy or just single?part of me want to have bilateral Mastectomy for a piece of mind preventing cancer coming from the other side, But also Considering I am single mum with teenage boy and one dog. full time work and really need to recover quickly , I have no family here to support. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated . Thanks all 🙏

Hi @August_tran21So sorry to see you here - to the club that no-one really wants to join! However, here, You can raise ANY issue, and get helpful replies from those who’ve gone before you. Nothing is off limits. We have ‘private groups’ for some more personal discussions - eg you can join the Reconstruction group .... so feel free to join any of them, if they suit you.We are happy that you found us - as we were in the same boat not that long ago - and like you, many of us copped that bit of 2 x 4 to the head - coming from 100% non cancer families, me included. The members here are just wonderful and will provide you with as much support as you need. Just ask away!Where abouts are you - town/area - we may have members nearby who can point you towards specific services in your area - or even meet up with you for a coffee after your surgery. You can 'add it' in your profile.You will 'gather' HEAPS of paperwork - bloods, reports, Xrays etc - so find yourself a BIG BOX to put them all in - cos an A4 expanding file just won't be big enough! This way, everything is in the one place & if you need to find it later - it should be there.If you live in Regional/Rural areas - you will be eligible for IPTAAS assistance with travel & accomodation costs (the name may vary from state to state.) Ask your GP or Specialist about it, as they will have to sign off your first appointments. The NSW one is here:https://iptaas.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/If you can, take someone with you to your appointments for support - as it can be daunting sitting there alone. A 2nd set of ears also picks up points raised that you may have missed - and ask relevant questions too (as did my Sister in Law with me.) Also, consider recording your meetings on your mobile phone - so that you can go over it again later, if you have to, to query a statement, or just to have as a record.We all know the absolute turmoil that comes with a BC diagnosis - those 3 words ....Your whole world is turned upside down in a millisecond, as you start to navigate unknown areas of our health system! It is almost a conveyor belt! First you do this, then this, then go there and do that, then come back here and do this .... and it may take a year or two for your life to settle back down again - but just know that it WILL. xxIt is totally 100% ok to skip between anger, denial, sadness - but if you find the sadness is overwhelming you, please seek professional help! Your GP may be able to refer you to a psychologist ... or your local Breast Cancer Centre May have help there .... where you are more likely to find a bc specific psychologist who is more familiar with BC issues. Just talking about it openly and sharing it with a professional should be able to give you coping mechanisms ... You will make new friends who will support you (specially on this forum) and may lose some old ones, who just do not understand what you are going thru. Most of us here, have found wonderful friends within the group and have even met up with them in ‘real life’ before this Covid thing and since - hopefully we'll be returning to the 'new normal' next year! If there is anything you want to discuss in a more private manner, you can message a member (or a group of members) and chat in total privacy. Personally I found that it mucked with my BRAIN more than anything else! And that is very hard to control, as it has a mind of its own! I found that keeping BUSY, doing things is the secret . .... get back into your hobbies or take up a new one as you are able - even more so now with Covid as we can’t get together with buddies as readily as before - tho things are opening up again now ..... we hope! Try & keep your sense of humour 'up there' - we have a really good 'funnies page' (called Friday Funnies, but we add them every day!!) Just click on the link to add pics and posts ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19116/friday-funnies#latestIf you are into arts & crafts, we have a 'Creative Corner' https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/14979/creative-corner#latest and if into your garden, a Gardening post as well!! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/186078#Comment_186078And we now have a Fishing post, as that is one of my passions!https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/19494/fishing-brag-picsIf you have 'fur kids' - put their pic here & describe their funny antics ... https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/92526#Comment_92526We even have a funny Xmas page .... feel free to add any that you’ve seen!https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20086/christmas-funnies-put-them-up-here-for-a-laugh#latestWhen you have some time ... check out this blog by a female British Breast Surgeon who went on to develop Breast Cancer, with recurrence. She was amazed at just how much it changed her life, both mentally and physically - as she really thought she 'knew it all' from being a surgeon to her patients ... and it really validates all our own ‘aches and pains’ & fears ... if your Onc/GP doesn’t believe you when you discuss side effects etc - get THEM to read this too! http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/Try not to use Dr Google too much (difficult tho it is) as there is just so much conflicting information out there (and much of it is REALLY OLD & OUT OF DATE), and every BC case is totally 'unique' and it will only scare the pants off you!As you haven't had your surgery yet, we have some posts here on what to take with you to hospital, to make it 'easier' on you. https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20232/hospital-bag-what-to-pack/p1And for your annual checkups, here are some ‘tick sheets’ to help you put your questions together for your medical team. (Make sure you click on the documents at the BOTTOM of the post, as the others are only sample pages.)https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment/p1Take care, and all the best for your upcoming surgery! xx

Regarding recovery, everyone heals differently and my own experience was not with implants ( which is a much shorter surgery and recovery time than DIEP flap surgery).I had to have the mastectomy then radiotherapy then wait 6 months for the reconstruction surgery but if you are going straight to implants when you have the mastectomy then that will only be one surgery.I had my husband at home to help me when I got out of hospital both times and I did need help .I had a lot of pain from the tissue expander in the first surgery and was on Endone for 6 weeks but the second surgery I only needed Panadol after hospital.I still took about 6 weeks to feel myself again.For example I didn’t feel comfortable driving again until 6 weeks.If you just have a desk job I would say you may be back to work after 4 weeks but if it’s a physical job I would factor in 6 weeks.Thays just a rough rule of thumb, you may be ready to go back earlier or you may need more time.But see what your medical team say.Do you have a Brest care nurse, they will also be able to give you advice on your situation.

@August_tran21 Go the start of this post by Sandramj, link below Gold Coast Cancer Support Sisters and a link from a community directory to the groupTake carehttps://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/158064#Comment_158064https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/Queensland/Gold_Coast/Communication___Information/General_Communication___Information/14867/132315/Breast_Cancer_-_Cancer_Support_Sisters

Dear @August_tran21 It’s always so difficult making a decision when you feel as if someone just hit you over the head with a piece of two by four! Have you any family history of breast cancer? And has there been any sentinel node biopsy? The main issue is whether you are at greater risk of breast cancer again or whether, like me, your so far unaffected breast may be no greater threat for cancer again than other parts of your body! I had a single mastectomy and lost 17 lymph nodes (only one was positive, but a whole lot looked suss!). Nine years on, so far so good. I had nofamily history of cancer, of any kind. I found a single mastectomy a quick recovery as I did not have reconstruction, which is possible at a later date although I have decided against. More surgery, more reconstruction obviously adds to the recovery time. Others on this site may be very helpful in how you may be able to access financial support if you go bilateral. A list of questions to ask your surgeon may be useful at this juncture. Best wishes.

Hi @August_tran21 Like @Afraser, I had a single mastectomy and no reconstruction. Another point to consider (when weighing up a single or double mastectomy) is comfort. Are you a small or large breasted woman? Some larger breasted women find it uncomfortable to have one breast and feel 'unbalanced'.It's a tough choice to make, single or double mastectomy, but it's not necessarily one you have to make right now. Some women who have a single mastectomy go back later to have the other breast removed if they feel it's the right choice after they have had time to consider all the options and after the stress of treatment has lessened.Take what time you can to consider all sides of the question and treat yourself kindly.Everyone path is a little bit different on rocky road, I wish all the support and care the world can offer,All the best,Susan

Single or double mastectomy.? | BCNA Online Network

15 Replies

August_tran21
Member
4 years ago

Dear Sue_w

Thanks for your input. I’d consider to remove one breast at the time. It could be best option for me in this situation. I will discuss with my surgeon this Monday, I plan to have reconstruction after mastectomy.
It is Rocky Road and so unexpected. I am so glad i’ve found this group. It's has been extremely helpful and informative for my lonely journey to fight back cancer.
Thanks again
iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
"Surgery | Breast Cancer Network Australia" https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/

https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-breast-cancer-pathology/

"Types of breast cancer" https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/what-is-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/

The above links may help give you more background and understanding of recovery et cetera as well as an explanation of your type of breast cancer
August_tran21
Member
4 years ago
Dear @Afraser
Thanks for getting back to me. My breasts are quite small, cup B. I have thin and small body. My family has no history of cancer. Mum & grandma are healthy. I don't know why it happened to me. The decision is tough as I have to make it in very shortest time.
Sue_w1
Member
4 years ago
Hi @August_tran21
Like @Afraser, I had a single mastectomy and no reconstruction.

Another point to consider (when weighing up a single or double mastectomy) is comfort. Are you a small or large breasted woman? Some larger breasted women find it uncomfortable to have one breast and feel 'unbalanced'.

It's a tough choice to make, single or double mastectomy, but it's not necessarily one you have to make right now. Some women who have a single mastectomy go back later to have the other breast removed if they feel it's the right choice after they have had time to consider all the options and after the stress of treatment has lessened.

Take what time you can to consider all sides of the question and treat yourself kindly.

Everyone path is a little bit different on rocky road, I wish all the support and care the world can offer,
All the best,
Susan
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Dear @August_tran21

It’s always so difficult making a decision when you feel as if someone just hit you over the head with a piece of two by four!

Have you any family history of breast cancer? And has there been any sentinel node biopsy? The main issue is whether you are at greater risk of breast cancer again or whether, like me, your so far unaffected breast may be no greater threat for cancer again than other parts of your body! I had a single mastectomy and lost 17 lymph nodes (only one was positive, but a whole lot looked suss!). Nine years on, so far so good. I had no
family history of cancer, of any kind.

I found a single mastectomy a quick recovery as I did not have reconstruction, which is possible at a later date although I have decided against. More surgery, more reconstruction obviously adds to the recovery time. Others on this site may be very helpful in how you may be able to access financial support if you go bilateral.

A list of questions to ask your surgeon may be useful at this juncture. Best wishes.

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Single or double mastectomy.?

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