DIagnosed at age 52 with stage 1 triple neg (sentinel lymph node biopsy all 3 nodes clear). Just found out I have BRCA-1 gene so back for two more chemotherapy sessions before radiotherapy. Decided to have my ovaries removed and considering double mastectomy. My sister was also diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34. That was 19 years ago and she has had no recurrence. She is awaiting her gene test results. Do I have a mastectomy or wait and see if it comes back?
I hear you. That's why mine came off.
All the best.
Paula xxxx
Lisa, I've tried to fin stats on recurrence from the approved and recommended reading but can't. Could you point me in the direction of good research that details this?
sandy
Oh Paula thank you for responding. I just don't think I want to spend all that time worrying about if it will come back.
sandy
Hi there,
sorry for the late response but only just catching up. I did have a recurrence of my TNBC about 18months after first diagnosis. I don't know if I have the gene (no family history) and waiting for an appointment. I had a lumpectomy first time around and second time had to have a mastectomy. Once all my treatment finished second time I decided to have a reconstruction and chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy of my healthy breast. Both my tumors were nearly 3cm and not long after clear mammograms. That was enough for me and helped me make the decsion I made. However as Lisa says it is a very personal decsion that only you can make when armed with the facts. There are a few ladies in the breast reconstruction online group who have had the gene and decided to go ahead with double mastectomies. I don't envy you your decisions.
Big hugs
paula xxxx
PS I am 4 1/2 years clear of second diagnosis. Yay :)
Thanks Lisa, yes I guess it is a very personal decision. My team are great and I aslucky. Thank you for responding
sandy
Hi sgtoohey
Sorry no-one replied to your post- I only just read it. I think that this is a decision that only you can make after looking at all of your options. As you have the BRCA gene the research indicates that your chance of recurrence is increased compared to someone without the gene. No doubt your medical team will advise you on all of this. It is always a tough decision. The great news is that your cancer was caught so early.
Good luck with your decison making
Lisa
