masectomy
has anyone had one breast removed because of cancer and CHOSEN to have the other removed as well as a precautionary measure ???
Pros and cons??????
sandy
Forum Discussion
17 Replies
My advice is to do all your research and then go with your "gut"feeling.My motto is that if it doesn't feel right and you can't decide then don't do it.You may think differently in a few years .Everyone will have their personal reasons why they choose (or not)certain treatments.Breast cancer doesn't usually give you alot of time to make informed decisions.It's like,just get it off quickly and I'll figure the rest out later.
Tonya xx
- Hi Sandy,Julia,Celeste and Leanne, Last Wednesday I had a precautionary mastectomy and the insertion of bilateral tissue expanders, and do not have any regrets. Nine months ago I was diagnosed with BC, after having 2 normal mammograms 3 months apart. I was in the low risk category, having breast fed 4 babies in my 20s, and having no family history. Like you Sandy, my lump, when removed was a lot larger than expected, 21mm instead of the 4 mm they were after. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy, followed by a mastectomy and 9 more nodes removed, ( none involved) and chemotheapy. I spent the next few months considering a second mastectomy, as I was always going to find it difficult to accept a normal mammogram when my last one actually hid a large grade 3 cancer. I didn't want to go through any of this again, or lose my other lymph nodes. 2 of the 3 plastic surgeons I visited thought it rather odd to remove a healthy breast, but my breast surgeon was quite happy to do this for me. Six weeks ago I booked both surgeon and plastic surgeon to have this done, with the start of reconstruction. I was relieved to have finally decided, and felt a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and that I would now be able to move forward. After locking in the date, I went and had another mammogram and ultrasound so I could have very new results for my surgeon. I felt like history was repeating itself when the mammo was clear, but a lump was found on ultrasound. They said it looked suspicious and I needed a core biopsy. After 2 dreadful days awaiting results, I was lucky to get the all clear. This for me was the strongest sign that a second mastectomy was the right thing to do. After this scare, the date couldn't come fast enough, and now that it has been done I am happy, and feel now that I can get on with my life and put this year behind me. To have a precautionary mastectomy is a very personal thing, and only you know what is right for you. Like you I didn't want to take the chance that it might happen again, and through this site, and from people I know, it does seem to happen. Good luck with your decision. Love Chris xxx
I havent got family history, so not so much as risk. But I also dont want to be doing what I am doing now again, ie. masectomy, chemo and radiation.
Does anyone know if the radiation is as physically exhausting as the chemo??
I appreciate the reply
Thanks
Sandy
Hi Julia, I got the same advice from my surgeon...she told me removing the other breast was pointless (even though it has benign cysts). She told me that they keep at very close eye on it and that there was no need to remove the 'healthy' breast. Yes the pain from the lymph node removal is terrible...shoulder and arm...but it does get better in time. I'm sorry I dont have the answers...for what its worth, I just wanted to let you know that I got the same response from my surgeon, cheers Celeste
I was diagnosed with DCIS in March 2010 and with horrid family history chose to have bilateral mastectomy in July 10.
I made my decision probably 23 years ago when my Mum at 48 had her second breast cancer - her 1st was at 36. As a daughter, I decided that I was not going to put my children through what I watched my Mum go through, nor did not want to have to fight like she did. She is now 71 and has been cancer free for over 20 years which has been the biggest inspiration for us all.
The decision for me was "easy" and I felt a weight was taken from my shoulders as i had always viewed my boobs as ticking timebombs.
However no matter how much i was prepared, it is an experience that you cannot know exactly how you will feel and how you and your husband will deal with it.
I have days that i wish my boobs felt like they used to and that my chest wasn't numb. I look and feel my reconstructed boobs and wonder if I will ever really get used to them!
BUT I never regret the decision I made!
Is such a personal thing and without a crystal ball, we have to make decisions based on what is in our own head and heart and how WE feel. The feelings will change from day to day and year to year, but at the end of the day it is our own body and regardless of what options we take, we will learn to live with it for the rest of our LONG healthy lives!
Keep sharing your thoughts as there is much experience within this network who will listen and happily share with you.
Bye
Leanne x
Funnily enough it was the breast cancer nurse that said that it is something I think about before i have the masectomy. The surgeon was there when this was discussed but the surgeon made no comment so I dont know their feelings to this.
I have had a lumpectomy and axillary clearance but tumour was bigger than anticipated (8cm) and is in 20% of lymph nodes. I am 47 and married and am concerned about to do or not to do. I am having chemo now and dont want to have to repeat all this in a few years!!!
Had the clearance 8 weeks ago, find the exercises really help with pain and stiffness.
Sandy
