I am booked in for a single mastectomy (followed by chemo and radio) this Thursday. I tried to discuss with my surgeon the possibility of removing both breasts at the same time, one being preventative (as this is what I would really want) but she dismissed it. I have asked again yesterday and she said she wouldn’t do it as it may delay treatment and because of covid, there is a need for beds in hospital.. plus there is double the risk for complications.While I originally accepted her reasoning, I am now working myself up as I am upset that this option was not fully considered and the reasoning do not make all that sense to me. There are pros and cons of course..Anyone been in a similar situation and/or had a second mastectomy later? How long after you finished treatment were you able to have another surgery?I do not want to delay surgery this week, but I also want to do the right thing for myself..

Hi @Fernweh I am so sorry you are being put through all this.I am not a medical professional but my reading of the latest Queensland Health Order is that only urgent elective surgery can proceed at the moment .This is the same position in NSW due to the hospitalisation rates as a result of Omicron compounded by the number of hospital staff who are off work as a result of contracting Covid as well as being close contacts.My understanding is that a mastectomy of the non cancer breast would be classed as non urgent elective surgery so it may be that your surgeon has no choice in the matter.But communication is important and emailing the surgeon and asking the question is worthwhile.All the best.

Hi @Fernweh that is great news.Assuming you want to proceed with the double.I initially was going with the single but ended up with the double after my breast cancer surgeon ( who was private) raised it with me as an option to consider given my cancer was lobular and that had a higher chance of appearing in the other breast.He said it was a 10 percent chance and how risk averse was I?The answer was “ very”.He said the decision was very personal and there was no wrong or right answer.I spoke to my breast care nurse, my female GP and a lady who had the double who was a friend of a friend.I didn’t want the anxiety of wondering if I had to go through the whole shiftest again especially as my cancer never showed up on the mammogram .There is of course the other argument why remove a perfectly healthy breast and 10 percent is pretty good odds.As I said it’s a decision only you can make but having made it I am very happy I did.

I agree, I think also it would be hard to match up the same size also. There was a thread in here about that a while ago.

Where there is a will, there is a way. So pleased you have got a new surgery date. Good you just didn't accept what you have been told, but you have determination, and got some good examples from others that have stood their ground, that is what we can help people with in here. Some members have helped others wade through the bureaucracy, and we have some gutsy members that do not shy away from that. Keep us posted if you would like to.

Here in Victoria I heard a lady on the radio talking about her breast cancer as elective surgery is banned here at present with no suggested end date.She wanted a double Mastectomy but can only have a single. The single breast is Category 1 (breast cancer) the other is a good breast and cannot be done now as it's considered elective COVID hurts in lots of ways.The comment your surgeon made about COVID rings trueTake careBest wishes

Mastectomy this Thursday.. | BCNA Online Network

55 Replies

Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@Fernweh explain firmly to your breast surgeon that your mental health will be at a huge risk if you do not have both breasts removed whilst having the surgery this Thursday, if that is what you truly believe is the case. Don't back down, your mental health is very important, and they will be responsible if they don't listen to you, and you end up in the psych ward because you can't cope. They need to document your desire to have both breasts removed this Thursday. Be pushy if need be.

The doctors need to listen to your reasoning and you are the one that knows yourself better than them.. If you end up in the psych ward they will be responsible. Not saying you will, but they need to listen to you, don't let them try to placate you into believing they know better.

I remember saying when I was not sure if I needed one breast removed or both, I firmly said if one is to go , I want both to go, and he could see my determination, and said he would remove both if I wanted that. Long story, but this is about you and please stick to your guns, so to speak.
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@iserbrown that is really interesting, and how what was considered elective has changed somewhat now regarding the unnamed disease that has got a grip throughout the world. Below is the previous guidelines, but of course all changed now. So disappointing for some of bc people who are going through the system now.

Stages of breast cancer | Cancer Australia
Fernweh
Member
4 years ago
Thank you, @Mazbeth.
I do not want a reconstruction so that would not be a problem.. I may change my mind later, but I want to go flat. The reason is perfectly explained in your comment.. I do not want to have to worry about the ‘good’ breast (plus a little bit of aesthetics too) and one surgery, one recovery would be much better.

It is happening so fast, because I wanted to, and the surgery is now here and I am getting really upset that a double mastectomy was not considered/discussed as an option and is now too late. I should have been more assertive to begin with ..

I see you are in Brisbane too, may I ask who was your surgeon?
Mazbeth
Member
4 years ago
Hi @Fernweh, I was diagnosed 2 years ago but I did chemo first - very stressful as I really didn’t have a definitive idea of my actual pathology for 6 months. I had ILC and I knew from the moment I was diagnosed I would have a DMX and my treating team supported me. I also wanted immediate reconstruction and this was the stage I was possibly not going to be able to have done as it is considered ‘elective’ and the pandemic had really kicked off. The plastic surgeon explained that because of Covid, all elective surgeries were postponed. He explained that it was about minutes in the operating theatre and keeping them available. There was never any question about the removal of my non-cancer breast - I was worried it would be deemed elective. I was fortunate that surgeries opened up and was able to have my planned surgery and start the recon process. The pathology of my non-Cancer breast showed unusual cells, not cancer, just cells that would have needed monitoring. I am still not sure how that would have happened, but long story short, I have never regretted my decision. My recovery was excellent, far better than I anticipated. Keep up the pain medication for as long as you need it - good sleep helps you to heal. My advice, and I am not a doctor, is go with what your doctor is recommending, have the surgery, do the treatment and then you have time to really think about what you want. Remember, I had 6 months to really process everything. If you want the second SMX, find a surgeon who supports you - advocate for yourself. There are surgeons who will support your decision. In the meantime the priority is to remove the cancer do the treatment and get on with the business. Wishing you well 🌺
iserbrown
Member
4 years ago
Here in Victoria I heard a lady on the radio talking about her breast cancer as elective surgery is banned here at present with no suggested end date.
She wanted a double Mastectomy but can only have a single. The single breast is Category 1 (breast cancer) the other is a good breast and cannot be done now as it's considered elective
COVID hurts in lots of ways.

The comment your surgeon made about COVID rings true

Take care
Best wishes

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