Is there a trend for bi lateral mastectomies now ?

Thanks for that. Yes, my first cancer I found myself whilst  in the shower. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. It returned in the same breast and I had a mastectomy and chemotherapy - lymph nodes clear. It has been 3 years since the last and the Femera is awful but if it helps then I take it. My cousin, aged  27  had a prophylactic bi lateral mastectomy as her mum and grandmother had breast cancer and was positive for one of the BRCA genes. She died last Xmas aged 30 from breast cancer . No guarantees either way the Geneteist  told me. 

There are no 100% guarantees when it comes to bc. I truly hope that all the publicity (Angelina etc) and sharing of people's opinions/stories/choices is not creating an unnecessary fear that having had cancer in one breast means that you have a really high chance of getting it in the other. For most of us that is not what the research shows.

It Concerns me that people who have not even been diagnosed and who have no comprehensive understanding or knowledge of bc are making statements about what they would do if faced with a diagnosis. I for one learnt an awful lot in the first few days after diagnosis. Most of this from the highly experienced and qualified female surgeon that I was referred to.

I listened when she explained why she recommended the surgery (a single mastectomy) she did, for me, in my particular situation. She explained that I always had the option of further surgery (and reconstruction if I wished) if that was how I felt after treatment. My treatment for the cancer I had already was the priority.

I then learnt a lot from my doctors, from other women with a bc diagnosis and from my own research while I was having chemo and radiation. I also had my own experience of what it was like to have a single mastectomy and had time to think about all the possibilities I had to consider.

For me, I decided that I was most comfortable with no more surgery. I believe that I have a relatively low (but understand it is not 0) chance of getting cancer in my healthy breast. I based my decision on information from my doctors. I choose to live a healthy lifestyle which I hope reduces my chance of many serious diseases, not just bc. If nothing else it gives me the best quality of life for now. None of us can totally control the future and what might happen, even by removing both breasts.

The important thing is to feel informed about your choices and to feel you have a doctor who listens to your concerns and explains your options. Then it should be YOUR choice as it is your life to live the way you feel most comfortable. There are different views because no 2 people face the exact same situation. All that matters is that you understand and are as satisfied as you can be with your choices.

I think it depends on your surgeon.  I had always said that if breast cancer ever happened to me, I'd get them chopped off, no hesitation.  When I was diagnosed, I went into my surgeon and said I wanted both off, she said she supported that but then we discussed options and I opted for the wide local excision.  When the results came back, it had spread to the sentinel node, so I had to go back for more and said to take both off, and she had no problems with it.  I had no family history so no reason for it, I just knew I didn't want to worry about it coming to the other side.  When the results came back, the left breast (the un-cancer side) had an LCIS in it!  So it was certainly for the best for me.  I have no regrets, 2 months post surgery.  Will probably reconstruct next year.

I do have another friend who also opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy 4 years ago and her surgeon referred her for psychiatric testing before operating.  My surgeon is female, so I do wonder whether that made a difference too?  She was wonderful and I'm so grateful for her!

Good luck everyone with your decisions.  Dx

My sis in law had one side off 16yrs ago. It has never recurred in the other one to date. I kind of like my hubby still has one fun pillow to play with but if I was advised it needed removal I would go with it. Mine isn't a large size at all so I am not really lopsided that much.

Hi. I dont believe surgeon's are recommending double mastectomies. Mine didn't but she supported me in my decision. No choice in a single. My decision was decided after I had an mri on the healthy breast. It came back 75% dense tissue, and they think that is how my tumours were missed by regular mammograms. I just didn't want that risk. The girls I have chemo with have asked for mastectomies but were told no. The surgeons seem to advice breast sparing. I guess it all depends on what sort of cancer it is. I hope you get some answers. X

I do not think medical profession is encouraging it... If anything my exoerience has been the opposite where every surgeon breast care nurse and my gyno pushed me towards a lumpectomy strongly assuring me mastectomy would give me no advantage and in their opinion would cause more unpleasant unecessary sideffects...

Like Kath I think there is more publicity out there and that a lot of women may be going down that path based on information available in the media - as it seems the 'right' choice for them...

I gues for everyone it is a very much a personal choice and we do not get much time to.make the decision usually so who knows what each of us would do if we are to do it all over again...

Jel.

I believe women are asking more for it. The publicity of Angelina Jolie has given a lot of women information about bilateral removal and reconstruction. ..information they night not have had or thought about before. Research doesn't support the need for bilateral gor standard breast cancer. Having said that my palpable breast cancer was undetected by mammogram due to dense breast tissue. ..I'd  been having mammograms  for 10 years and was unaware of this. I am awaiting genetic testing but due to the multiple family members with breast and ovarian cancer opted to have both removed and reconstructed. I couldn't  see how having to do major work on the unaffected breast as a better option and then the same risk issues remained. I would suggest a new appointment with a genetic counselor around this discussion may be a good option. I guess now they are concerned there are still genetic cancers in some families that they can't  identify the gene for as yet.