Prophylactic mastectomy

Hi Janine,

I was diagnosed, eventually, with Lobular carcinoma (the sneaky little sucker of the breast cancer world)

By the time it was confirmed I had BC the tumour was a significant size. I had, and this is a direct quote from one of the technicians, 'boobs as lumpy as a kapok mattress' This density of tissue made it really hard to find the tumour. Once it was confirmed I had it in one side, I couldn't trust the other so off they came. The 'good' boob had some sinister stuff happening as well so I felt the decision was justified.

I didn't like it and still miss my tits, but overall it was a good thing for me too have done. Nothing will keep us safe--I did get a recurrence in my armpit--but doing everything you can gives some degree of comfort if that's the way you tend to think. Everyone has different priorities.

It's a tough decision to make. The options for reconstruction are much better than they were when I had to choose what do in that regard. In hindsight, going flat and fabulous probably would have saved a heap of mucking around but that is something that everyone has to decide.

One piece of advice, if you do decide to go for the chop and get retreads, start the reconstruction early if you don't have private health. Depending on where you are the wait lists can be daunting for reconstructions if you don't do them at the time of your initial surgery. Find out about that as part of your research process. Good luck, Marg