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Sue_in_FNQ's avatar
11 years ago

Bilateral / Prophylactic Mastectomy in Public System

Hi, I am new to this network and very much appreciate the insight and guidance shared.

On 27th June 2014, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma along with focal areas of LCIS in my left breast. There was no lump, no tell-tail signs and there is zero family history. My diagnosis came after a routine mammogram which lead to a core biopsy.

I live in rural far north Qld (with Cairns Hospital 1.5 hours drive away). I have been appointed a Breast Care Nurse, who has arranged a consultation appointment at the Public Hospital for next week 11th July (this will be the first time I meet her). My situation will be assessed and surgery and a surgery date scheduled.

With three children (youngest 8 yrs) my husband and I have had to console them daily, to reassure them that the doctors will "get all the cancer" - and yet they keep asking "what if you get it in the other breast too".  Hence, for the psycholgical health of our family (and other reasons) we have decided to ask for a Bilateral Mastectomy. I feel very strongly about this decision. My question is :- how confident can I be that this request will be granted, within the public system ?

As a parent, I need to know that I have done all that I can, to ensure that I do not put my family through this emotional upheaval again !  I / We can handle the surgery, my time away from home and farm and family, the chemo if necessary and all the rest - we just CANNOT go through the discovery of cancer in the other breast, so feel it best to have it removed at the same time. Also, I have very large "ductile" breasts, with dense tissue (18 E) ... and know that the remaining breast will be a constant reminder of how vulnerable I am to getting breast cancer again. 

Can anyone tell me if they have made a request for a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy within the public system - and if it was granted ?

Thank you in advance, Sue

 

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