I’ve just been diagnosed with Ductal carcinoma in situ in my right breast, intermediate grade. It’s around 2.5cm.
I also have large breasts (probably about 34e or f.
My breasts cause me constant discomfort. They’re heavy, My skin feels like it’s being stretched. It starting to get sore under my breasts. I have chronic neck/shoulder/upper back pain. Absolutely no bra is comfortable all day. I got weather its worse. Ironically before my diagnosis I was considering getting a consultation about breast reduction.
Because of these issues I’m edging towards a double masectomy. No reconstruction - I don’t want implants or the operations. Or having to have implants replaced in 10years or so. I’m 66yrs now and don’t want implant problems in my 80s thanks.
Does anyone know if nhs would even offer a double masectomy?
Is there such a thing as removal and breast reduction combined?
That was my exact rational when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Also had large breasts that were uncomfortable and that I wasn’t pleased with. Got a double mastectomy and truly pretty happy about the whole thing. I’m not completely flat due to access skin left for reconstruction purposes but I’m almost flat and I like it a lot. So if they’d recommend it go for it if you think you’d be pleased. But I do know here in the US we do lumpectomies in the breast with cancer and then reduction in the non cancerous breast to match all the time. Not sure what the NIH offers though.
I’m having the lump removed and a breast reduction on the affected side. I’ve asked for b cup. Hope I don’t find it too small.
Apparently i need to wait 6 months for the breast to settle after radiotherapy. Then I can get the other side done to match. On the nhs May be another 6 month wait so 1 year in a till I match.
As a plus they’ll take a much larger margin around the Tumour as they will be removing a lot more breast tissue anyway.
I’m really looking forward to not having to wear a bra. And not having my breasts feel like a weight on my check in the evenings when I’m relaxing. My skin is very sensitive to physical pressure and rubbing, coming out in hive type marks so I really don’t like any bras.
Surgeon initially assumed I’d want lumpectomy and I had to put brakes on in discussion (glad I had enough presence of mind at the time and had read stuff beforehand). She was fine after that though and seems nice. They assumed the BC Nurse had talked to me about options beforehand, whereas all she said was it would probably be a lumpectomy followed by 5 days of radiotherapy, with no discussion of options.
Now on my third provisional date for surgery, but that’s a different story.