Hi Chrissy, I was diagnosed last October with 9cm tumour also left breast. My immediate reaction was that I wanted a double mastectomy, whether I had the gene or not. My maternal aunt is my only family member who has had breast cancer, and she had it in her left breast first, then a different type in her right breast 10 years later, so maybe that influenced my decision. Like you, I had chemotherapy first, and had a double skin sparing mastectomy with immediate implant (no expanders) reconstruction on 8th March. I will begin radiotherapy 3 weeks post surgery. I may have to have my left reconstruction re done, either with my own tissue or another implant after radiotherapy, but the radiooncologist said it may not be necessary with modern techniques so we will see. All the best for whatever you decide to do
Kate
