Looking for your stories and any advice please, ladies… How/when did you tell your boss you were planning a preventative mastectomy? Has anyone had any issues because their surgery was elective?
I am planning a prophylactic mastectomy in the next 6 months and just thinking about how and when I am going to tell my employer. It’s going to be an awkward conversation: not least because my boss is male and we have to talk about my breasts. eeeeek.
Also, I really don’t like the thought of everyone in the office knowing my boobs aren’t real. Of course I will ask my boss to keep it confidential, but people are going to be curious. Any experience on managing that, ladies? Is openness the best policy?
I have moved your post to our busierSurgery board where I am sure you will be getting some support from our users. You may also want to post on this Preventative surgery thread, the users here will be able to show you some support and share some advice.
Hi Sophie , I havent had a preventative MX actually as im having neoadjuvant chemo I havent had an MX at all yet but I noticed you didnt have any answers and couldnt not reply.
Your boss has a duty to keep it confidential if you ask them not to tell anyone they shouldnt , though if you work in a larger organisation HR or occupational health may need to know.
Personally id say to my boss (who is alzo a bloke) ive had tests (I assume you have had testing and its come back as you have the gene) that show to minimise my risk of cancer in the future I need an MX my doctors have advised this is necessary and I will be having surgery on xx date and expect to be off for xx days/weeks stick to the facts dont go into details as you dont need to you have been advised by a medical professional this is what is needed for you and you are doing it.
I know hes a man but to be honest he will understand at the end of the day if it was his mum/sister/wife he would want them to have the surgery, if your clinical and direct in your discussion there shouldnt be any need to be embarresed.
Or you could just say tests show your suceptible to a form of cancer need surgery doctors say so you wikk be off when and how long if you dont want to mention boobs