This study was based on women with breast cancer electing to have the other breast removed out of concern for the risk of it returning in the other breast. Let's be clear it was not about women having to have a mastectomy because of their cancer diagnosis.
It's an individuals choice and that's what's so important about ensuring women have the right to make choices like this based on their own personal circumstances. If a women wants to reduce their risk of return from 10-20% down to 1% with mastectomy then that's their choice. If a women is happy to continue with the screening and choose breast preservation than that their right.
No one in their right mind makes this decision based on vanity. I was holding a baby when I was diagnosed and I was told that my only option was mastectomy. I'm also a mother who knows what it's like to loose a parent young. I made my decision to take my other breast for my kids. And guess what once they removed it they found a radial scar. The roller coaster ride would have started all over again for me.
I now know that I made the right decision for my family. I have read the article in the women's weekly and I have tremendous admiration for how brave each and every single one of them were.
Making any of these decision is challenging and heart breaking. My heart goes out to anyone who has to choose any type of procedure, be it lumpectomy, partial mastectomy or full mastectomy. I'm just grateful we all have choices and can share our experiences and information.
