2nd Primary Cancer- Benefits of mastectomy

Hello,
After being dg 3 yrs ago with grade 3/HE2/hormone positive cancer and having a lumpectomy/chemo/radio/herceptin. After my most recent mammogram I’ve been told, after a fine needle biopsy, that I have a new primary cancer in the opposite breast. At the moment I don’t have the grading etc and treatment plans have not been discussed. However my feeling is that I would benefit from a double masectomy/ reconstruction. My consultant/breast nurse don’t seem that supportive. Has anyone had any experience of this? Thanks

Hi 123Lab

While you are waiting for some replies to your post it might also help to give our Helpline a call to talk this over.  They will be able to offer you information and support.  The opening times are 10-2 on Saturdays and 9-5 on weekdays.  The number is 0808 800 6000

Very best wishes

Janet

BCC Moderator

Hi 123Lab

I found consultants are not that keen on mx too.  I wanted mx from the start (intermediate DCIS) but was persuaded to have WLE - no clear margins so in the end I had the mx (I did not want another attempt to get clear margins) and was told it was a good decision because it revealed the surrounding cells were changing. However a few months later problem identified in the other breast (high grade DCIS).  I was offered further investigations but I wanted to go straight to mx and this time the consultant was OK with it - mx then revealed extensive invasive cells so ended up with chemo, radio etc.

 

I understood why they wanted to try WLE for DCIS and I know long term outcomes are similar but I felt confident about mx both times (even before the results) - and as it turned out I was told both times that it was the right decision. It must be difficult for them because obviously lots of people don’t want mx if they can avoid it but I would have liked a more positive approach to mx - and of course second time round it was better. I did not want reconstructions - I was told I could change my mind later which was helpful to know although I was pretty sure I wouldn’t!    

 

I hope you can get what you want - perhaps once you have grading results they will be more open to a discussion. In any case I do hope the results are as good as possible and you don’t need chemo again.  Very best wishes.

Hello Somerset,
Thank you for responding.
Like you I feel that this is the right thing for me and I am going to press the issue with them. I’m also hoping that I don’t have to have chemo and I’m exploring possible alternatives depending on histology.
I just hope they will listen to me and not try and press for the WLE.