Discussion
Hi , This is my first time on this site, and I hope to get some other ladies who have had to make this decision as well. I am 68 and had early Breast Cancer, the cancer was 10 cm in the left breast. ...
Forum Discussion
Hi LynJoan, I am going through the same decision myself at the moment.
I had a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction in January but due to the unexpectedly bad pathology have to go back for a right mastectomy and lymph node clearance after I finish chemo.
I too do not think a one sided breasts is a good idea especially as I already struggle with twisted spine issues due to my work.
I also worry about the left breast getting cancer.
I really do not want to do this chemo thing again.
My surgeon and Oncologist are not keen to remove the left and both looked as though I had slapped them in the face when I suggested it.
The tissue removed from my left breast during the reduction was sent to pathology and returned a normal tissue result.
I have dense lumpy breasts which are hard to scan.
I have been told.
The oestrogen inhibitors I will be on will help protect the other breast.
As I get older the density will reduce making the breast easier to scan.
I will be scanned more regularly so any changes will be picked up earlier.
I can always have the left breast off later if anything changes.
my Oncologist said it was more likely that any spread would be into bone than the other breast in my type of cancer, however, there could be precancerous changes in the other breast as well, so I should check that out before surgery.
If there are any doubtful areas in my left breast it will come off too.
I will have a breast MRI ($605 no rebates) before surgery to make the final decision.
I had to go to the Cancer Centre psychologist to get the whole thing so clear in my head as I was struggling with the decision and didn't want to make the decision based on anger and a tendency to cut my nose off to spite my face.
I am planning to go on the wait list for the DIEP flap reconstruction as I have to have radiation after surgery.
If I wasn't going to consider reconstruction I think I would have both off, my lifestyle and hobbies do not lend themselves to unevenness in body and balance.
It is very hard to get your head into a clear enough place to make such a decision. I can recommend going to a psychologist to help there. It did not take long for her to ask the questions that started me thinking more clearly, and ended up giving me a clear plan to follow.
The whole thing is still going to be an emotional mess to go through, but at least I feel better about the decision making process
Good luck with your decision, I hope you can come to something that you are comfortable with, Jennie
I had a lumpectomy and bilateral reduction in January but due to the unexpectedly bad pathology have to go back for a right mastectomy and lymph node clearance after I finish chemo.
I too do not think a one sided breasts is a good idea especially as I already struggle with twisted spine issues due to my work.
I also worry about the left breast getting cancer.
I really do not want to do this chemo thing again.
My surgeon and Oncologist are not keen to remove the left and both looked as though I had slapped them in the face when I suggested it.
The tissue removed from my left breast during the reduction was sent to pathology and returned a normal tissue result.
I have dense lumpy breasts which are hard to scan.
I have been told.
The oestrogen inhibitors I will be on will help protect the other breast.
As I get older the density will reduce making the breast easier to scan.
I will be scanned more regularly so any changes will be picked up earlier.
I can always have the left breast off later if anything changes.
my Oncologist said it was more likely that any spread would be into bone than the other breast in my type of cancer, however, there could be precancerous changes in the other breast as well, so I should check that out before surgery.
If there are any doubtful areas in my left breast it will come off too.
I will have a breast MRI ($605 no rebates) before surgery to make the final decision.
I had to go to the Cancer Centre psychologist to get the whole thing so clear in my head as I was struggling with the decision and didn't want to make the decision based on anger and a tendency to cut my nose off to spite my face.
I am planning to go on the wait list for the DIEP flap reconstruction as I have to have radiation after surgery.
If I wasn't going to consider reconstruction I think I would have both off, my lifestyle and hobbies do not lend themselves to unevenness in body and balance.
It is very hard to get your head into a clear enough place to make such a decision. I can recommend going to a psychologist to help there. It did not take long for her to ask the questions that started me thinking more clearly, and ended up giving me a clear plan to follow.
The whole thing is still going to be an emotional mess to go through, but at least I feel better about the decision making process
Good luck with your decision, I hope you can come to something that you are comfortable with, Jennie