Hi,
I’m 29, I found out I had bc last month, everything seems to have been such a whirlwind and my head is spinning! I had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and 2 nodes removed which came back clear 
They told me my lump was a grade 3 so I am at high risk of it spreading, and it is also a genetic cancer. My mum had bc when she was 40, it came back 3 years later and she did not survive, I was 15 at the time.
I am seeing a fertility specialist next week as I am really concerned about having children, and I am due to start chemo in 2-3 weeks time.
they have told me that I can take the time I’m having chemo which will be about 5 months to decide what I want to do next, this is where I am struggling because there is just so much to think about, the pros and cons of everything are giving me such a head ache, as well as trying to come to terms with what has happened over the last month.
I can either have radiotherapy or more surgery, is there anyone that has had one or the other and can tell me how they feel about their decision? How badly does the radiotherapy affect the skin? I also have implants any way so that will cause more problems as far as radiotherapy is concerned, has anyone been in this situation?
Or instead of radiotherapy I can opt for a subcutaneous mx which will help reduce my risk for the future…and then should I go for a bilateral mx for further protection?
I’m sorry for rambling, but I just have so many questions and would like to hear from girls that have had to make these decisions and know how it feels Thankyou! x x x
***************just bumping up for you*************
Hi bebelou,
I’m sorry you haven’t had many replies to your question, but I will put for you below links to some of BCC’s publications which might be helpful. Could I also suggest that you give the helpline here a ring and have a chat with one of the nurses who I am sure will be able to support you and point you in the right direction for further information and support. Calls to the helpline are free, open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2. 0808 800 6000
Fertility issues:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/84/
Standards of care for younger women:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/87/
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
There are some stories on this website shared by women at risk of genetic breast cancer. You might find them useful.
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If it’s any help, I had a subcutaneous, nipple-sparing mx a couple of years ago, with an implant. There’s a slight loss of sensitivity in the nipple but that doesn’t really worry me. One reason I had that rather than a lumpectomy with radiotherapy was that I’m very fair and burn easily, so your colouring might have a bearing on how well you react to it. Feel free to DM me if you’d like to know any more…
Hi Babelou
I am so sorry you are going through all of this, you are so young and my heart goes out to you to be faced with the shock of diagnosis, your treatment and the worry of fertility.
I can only tell you my experience I was diagnosed last september, I needed a mastectomy and I had immed recon using tissue expansion with implant, I have been through chemo and finished that the end of feb, I then went on to have radiotherapy my skin burned slightly but 3 weeks down the line as healed well, the problem I have is that the implant feels harder and tighter since radiotherapy, but to be honest it was like that a bit before radiotherapy, i have to go back in two months to see if it improves and the skin settles, if not it will be taken out and replaced six months after,I guess it depends on your skin type on how it is going to effect you.
I can’t tell you what to do, but I know what I would do,and that would be to go for the mastectomy, this with the chemo will give you as much protection as possible for the future.
take care xx
Err not quite sure where to start!! I was 33 when dx last year but in a slightly different situation to you as I already have two little girls so haven’t had to consider the fertility side of things!
I’ve had lumpectomy, chemo, mx and radiotherapy. They said they wud throw all the treatment at me cos of my age and I’m glad they did. It’s been a rough ten months but I’m done now and hair is growing back and I’m back at work…gonna have the other boob removed and reconstruction on both in the next 6 months!
My surgeon wudnt do immediate recon as he said rads makes the implant go hard and doesn’t give an overall good cosmetic look so with you already havin implants maybe you need to discuss further with your bcn and onc or surgeon!
Few other things my periods stopped with chemo but started again 5 months after. And I am fair as you come but never burnt with rads so your skin type doesn’t neccesarily mean you’ll burn!
Hope you get some better answers from the other girls or ask your Bc nurses they are usually very helpful !
Take care and all the best xxxx