I guess you have many questions you need to ask and to think about.
What is your family history like? Do you have many women /close relatives with either Breast or Ovarian cancer in your family on either mother's or father's sude. Perhaps a genetic referral should be considered to out rule a gene mutation.
What is your breast density like? Is it moderate or high? Would there be risks of a new primary occuring and being undetected in the other breast. What better screening options are there fir higher breast density?
Can a reconstruction be done at time of surgery? Will I be able to have a reduction done on the remaining breast to help match the implant or flap reconstruction.
Be sure you understand your reasons for a bilateral. A bilateral doesn't prevent spread from the original cancer site. That is why chemo and radio are used.
I'm assuming they believe you have some positive nodes which is why they are planning clearance and radio already. This isn't unusual but a reconstruction can be started just prior radio and then finished off once it is completed.
So lots to think about.
I chose a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy with immediate tissue expanders put in due to my family history and breast density. It was however at my surgeons suggestion. It does considerably reduce breast cancer risk of that breast, but what your surgeon probably means that most women do not get breast cancer in the other breast without those other risk factors.
What we need to realise that even with reconstruction you lose sensation in most of your chest and if nipples are kept very very little sensation would return. Just a very light touch can sometimes be felt. So all this can impact in sexuality and it is lost forever. So it needs careful thought. Knowing all the facts. Knowing all procedures. Weighing up risks and understanding why you feel you should have both removed is important.
This link might be helpful.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/prophylactic_mastBest of luck. Sorry you have had to join our site but hope you find the support helpful.
Kath x
