"Its up to you!!! "

Hi there @Scorpio101. I was diagnosed when I was 58 and had cancer and one node on the left side. It was multifocal stage three grade three triple positive. So, caught at a fairly late stage, but as least not yet metastisied On the right side, they found "abnormal geography" and wanted to do more tests...biopsies and so on. I said "forget it, just chop both off" for much the same reasons as you said. They had been my pride and joy in my youth, had fed my babies  and had provided much entertainment to my husband and myself for decades, but now they had to go...both. My medical team tried to talk me out of it, mentioning "overkill" and "unnecessary surgery" Increased risk of lymphodema in the right arm ( the so far unaffected side". They assured me that I would be very closely monitored and a close watch would be kept on the right breast, assuming the further tests were negative for cancer.I thought about it, and then replied using a story ( as is my way). I said the following. "If you lived next door to a man who you thought was a very friendly and trustworthy person fpr years, and then found out that he was a sex offender, would you still feel comfortable living next door to him? Especially if he could get easy access to your home? Well that was how I saw my right breast. A threat. Only a potential threat, but a threat no less. No matter how the police may tell me that this man had received therapy, and was also wearing a tracking bracelet around his ankle, and was required to report to his parole officer each week...that is...he is being very closely monitored and we are keeping a very close eye on him...." (sound familiar?)...would you still be happy for him to live in your shadow? No bloody way!!! Well, thats how threatened I am about this potential problem...off with it". Well, that turned their heads completely, and they said they would do as I wanted. After doing six months of chemo, I had both chopped off, and in the right breast were what was termed pre cancerous cells. No malignant, but of the type that have a strong tendency to go bad. I have not regretted my decision at all. I have not had any reconstruction and wear my prosthesis only when going out. I don't wear them for swimming either, just wear a loose top over my cossie.