Discussion

Hi @LynJoan

Welcome to you, love the name, my Mums name was Joan :) ! Thanks for sharing, this is a great place to come and talk, there are so many ladies that are in your position or have been there, that can offer some support. 

I had a recurrence in 2015 after 4yrs so due to that 16 months after that in Feb of this year I had a single mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction. Before I had the surgery I had to have genetic testing, as we thought, it came back negative but the surgeon wanted to know as if it were positive he would have done a double. The Geneticists said based on my pathology and history a single was only warranted, in their opinion a double wasn't necessary. All specialists agreed. I had a 2.5cm tumor ER+ Stage 2, Grade 3. Chemo and on Aromasin now. 

It is a tough decision, you have to do what you feel would be best. I chose a single mastectomy purely as you said, if it came back I was NOT doing Chemo again. It is one of those questions, nobody knows. It has to be what youre comfortable with doing. I didnt want to lose my other breast and there was no reason to. Im now 2 years clear and over 3 months post surgery and getting on and enjoying life. 

Hugs Melinda xo

Hi Melclarity, Thank you for your post, yes it is a hard decision to make. The surgeon has said she would do the right breast if I was so concerned.
I guess I will wait till I have the mamagram and see how it is.
But I still think I would be better with having the surgery.
so pleased you are going so well.

LynJoan that sounds like a great plan! I think the biggest thing is to trust your own instincts, nobody knows you better than YOU! it is a huge worry of course. Gee I found it so hard for me it was like, do it not do it, will it or won't it come back. So it really is purely what sits with you, I think you're comfortable with having it done and it does give you peace of mind, agreed! 

Hugs xo

I chose to have bilatetal due to my family history and breast density and my surgeon actually suggested it. I had a breast mri to exclude a hidden cancer before hand. My Aunt had 2 different primary breast cancers and ovarian cancer and at the time of surgery they thought I may have the same gene. I didn't it turns out. But I haven't regretted my decision. My cancer wasn't detectable on a mammogram 5 weeks before I found a lump. I didn't feel confident that another cancer could be detected before it was huge. I was just lucky it was surface close for the one I had. I do miss my breasts and the sensation of having breasts, but for me the fear of a second new primary in another breast was greater than my desire to keep it. 

I had immediate delayed reconstruction...saved skin...tissue expanders in then changeover later. My bc side nipple could not be saved so opted not to bother with either and plan to reconstruct later. 

Basically be guided by your gut and the advice from your surgeon 

Kath x

Hi LynJoan I was diagnosed in Feb this year and was told I would need a single mastectomy. I opted for a double mastectomy which my surgeon wasn't that keen on doing but a single just didn't sit right with me. My gut instinct was telling me to follow my heart and have a double mastectomy and I have no regrets. My reason for doing so was that I knew if I left it there every little bump or pain or strange feeling would have me worrying myself sick. I have two small children and don't have time to be stressing out about cancer coming back in the second breast. That's just me. It's your choice. Trust your gut instinct. Good luck xx

Hello @LynJoan, sorry to hear your diagnosis but welcome.  You will find a lot of information and support here.
I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy (with immediate silicone implant) last August, 13mm stage 1, grade 1 IDC. Clear lymph nodes so no chemo or radiation.
I also worried about cancer in the other breast so I had an MRI on both breasts before I saw my surgeon. It was for 2 reasons.  To check that I only had the one cancer in my left breast but also to see whether the other one had any "unstable" tissue.  Fortunately my other side was healthy and my surgeon said without any family history I have the same chance as the average women in getting cancer in my healthy breast.  Actually now that I am taking Arimidex that decreases my chances even further.
That decision was fine for me but in the end you just need to do what will let you sleep at night.
Your medical team will help you with your decision and as the other ladies have said, go with your gut feeling.  Wishing you all the best with your decision LynJoan.  Jane xx

@Lynjoan every breast cancer is different. In my case I have triple negative. My surgeon did not recommend a double mastectomy even though I also have the bracken2 gene. The reason was this type of cancer if it returns hits brain /bone.ovaries not breast. Radiation oncologist confirmed this opinion.
 So getting my breasts removed is pointless. I had another friend different cancer wanted breasts removed as didnt want the worry of mammograms.
So having a secondary breast removed is no guarantee cancer will not return. Of course trust your instict . My personal belief is if there is nothing wrong with any part of the body leave it alone. 

hi there @LynJoan I had triple negative breast cancer last year aged 43 and had it in my left breast and then decided 6 months later to take the other one off, it just felt right for me to make that decision, and @fairydust I have not heard that about triple neg recurrence, I must ask my oncologist next time I see him about that. I have had a hysterectomy a few years ago kept my ovaries and was negative for the gene test and my oncologist said not to take my ovaries out as the chemo has forced me into menopause. would only suggest taking them if I was positive for the gene test. and yes its true it cant guarantee a return of the cancer somewhere else but just made me feel better and I trusted my gut with that one too as I was worried I might get hormone receptive breast cancer in the other one.  Did you take your ovaries out anyway fairydust??? Margie :)

I had a double mastectomy ten years ago and then got a recurrence in my armpit anyway. This is a shit of a disease.

The other thing to consider, apart from cancer, is the physical issues that can arise from only having one breast, particularly if you are big breasted. If you are not interested in having any reconstruction you can have problems with your back, neck and shoulder. Tits can weigh a surprising amount and having only one can put you out of balance. A few ladies here are dealing with that at the moment. Marg

Yeah I must admit, my Oncologist checkup last week, he said he's not worried about it returning in my breast, its the secondary somewhere else. Ummm Im like so I had a single mastectomy why????!!!!!! LOL sheeeeesh!