Hi
I have now completed all my treatment for breast cancer after having a masectomy last December.YIPEE!!!
I am now debating weather or not to have my other boob removed.
My recent diagnosis came after a mamogram I was unaware that I had a lump despite it being 5cm. Even when I was shown where it was I still could not feel it but the doctors could.
Also my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer twice and underwent double masectomy.
If I do go ahead with it I am thinking of having a reconstruction as well.
I am unsure weather Im putting my body through more surgery when its not really needed.However the stress of waiting for my recent mamogram results was awful. I think it would reduce my anxiety.
Has anybody had this done for same reason?
Welcome to the forums where I’m sure you’ll get lots of good, honest support.
While you are waiting for replies I’ve put for you below the link to BCC’s publication regarding reconstruction which you may find helpful. I’ve also put the link to BCC’s reconstruction animation.
Also, if you’d like to talk to someone in confidence about your thoughts on reconstruction then the helpline team are here to support you. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000, lines open 9-5 Mon -Fri and 9 - 2 Sat.
I haven’t had it done & have no family history but am considering this as a possibility once my treatment is all over. am still undecided on recon at all but am about 80/20 to think I will & am considering just having the other one taken off as well & recon at the same time plkus new one on other side as a precaution but am waiting til next consultant appt next may to discuss as it’s too much for now. there was a post from somebody recently with a link to a film about her having exactly that done but not sure where it was. will try to hunt it out for you as it may help
I’m interested in people’s thoughts on this too. I’m just about to start chemo after having an mx last month and when I went for a recent check up I was told that I might want to consider having the other breast removed at the same time as reconstruction. I don’t have a history of BC in the family but my BC nurse told me that the type of cancer I have means I fall into a higher risk category for it returning in the other breast.
I’m not sure how I feel about it all at the moment as it’s a lot to take in so soon after being dx, mx etc., but I guess it’s better to plan for these things sooner rather than later.
There’s always one more thing to think/worry about isn’t there?
Hi Nymeria, I also had a dx of multifocal ILC >7cm and high grade DCIS and asked about prophylactic mx on the other side. Was told this wasn’t offered! Never fails to amaze me how different ILC is approached with respect of the bilateral risk. X
I’m really surprised that you weren’t offered a prophylactic mx given the risks involved. Although I admit that the thoughts of further surgery is daunting, the thought of the higher risk is even more so. I think I must be very lucky to live where I do (even though I’d have to go to another hospital for recon etc) - it’s wrong that it’s all such a lottery in the UK!.
Hi Nymeria, yes, I am concerned about the risk to the other side, even though my surgeon said it was overstated! I am now due to have a breast MRI as I never had any evaluation on my left side, the ILc did not present on the mammogram but was detected on US, was told that mammogram was the gold standard of follow up, however, what use is gold standard when ILC is often occult on mammograms? There doesn’t seem to be a definite treatment protocol where ILC is concerned. X
Hi Tina amd Nymeria, I had my first course of chemo last thursday after a skin sparing mastectomy on 16th November. I have a strong family history and when my sister was diagnosised in July I went for risk reduction surgery, I had a mamagramme and all was clear but to be sure they sent me for an mri. Where they dicsvered 2 aggressive malignant lumps as my cancer was difficult to diagnose i have been recomended to have my other breast removed and both reconstuctions done at the same time after my chemo and radio therapy treatment is completed. I have had a tissue expander fitted afte my operation and am thinking of having implants and lipo fat transfers over top to make a more natural look and feel. I am feeling really sorry for myself as I didnt expect to have any of these awful treatments and to be back to normal in a couple of months. On the positive side at least it was found early without the MRI I would be blissfully unaware that it was even there. Keep in touch.
Hi second sister, thank god for MRI’s and good luck with your Chemo. I had the lipofill procedure, too after my mx & recon. I hope, too, that having a breast MRI will monitor the recon side as well. All the best. X
I think I am getting mixed up. I am hoping to have lipofill as part of my reconstruction with a implant after my cancer mx as well as on my other breast when I have risk reduction mx. Is this what you had done or was yours just on your second side? There are so many options and there is so far to go before I reach the point of reconstruction. I am just focusing on when I will be cancer free and back to normal after mx, chem, radio herceptin and reconstruction!!!
I am a year behind you with my diagnosis having been diagnosed on 16th Novembr this year. I had a clear mam, however due to my family history Gran, Mother, Aunt and Sister in July this year I decided to have risk reduction surgery. However before they went ahead I had an MRI which showed multifocal BC in my left breast. I have had my breast removed and my first chemo but plan after my chemo and radiotherapy to have my right breast removed and both reconstructed at the same time to try to get as close as possible a matching pair and rid myself of the worries I have had since I was 13 when my Mother was diagnosed. To be honest I am just wishing 2011 away and looking forward to 2012 when I can start my life again. It is hard when I have four kids (2 Girls) very scarey as the whole family are aware what is hanging over them. I hope to show them that risk reduction (on RHS) is a good safe option to help them make their own desisions.
I asked for a prophylactic mastectomy on the other side as my tumour had been impossible to feel until I was given HRT and then it was like putting petrol on a flame. (As it turns out I wasn’t even menopausal then!)
It wasn’t offered to me or discussed but as soon as I brought it up it was. I was told by my BCN that I would need a psychological assessment but instead I had a long discussion with my oncologist and surgeon at the same time.
I had lobular cancer, multi focal and the area was about 8cm by the time I started treatment. I had some FEC chemo first and it reduced to about 3 cm and then two doctors were unable to feel it. I could and told them where and then they could. I knew I’d made the right decision then.
Reconstructing two breasts is a lot of surgery. I’ve opted not to have that done. I rang the helpline and talked all this through and it really helped me enormously.
Hi all. I am booked for a second mastectomy and double reconstruction on the 17th January.
I opted for this as had a leaky nipple on the remaining breast and biopsy showed cell changes. Surgeon, nurses etc didn’t seem incredibly keen to do second mastectomy at first and onc declared that I was more likely to have cancer recur at original mastectomy site than in other breast as triple negative!
I am having left mastectomy and bi lateral LD flap reconstruction. I have to say that I am quite scared as big op and long recovery, but I am sure once I am well I will be pleased I had it done.
I have asked a couple of times if there was anyone who has had the second mastectomy and bi lateral recon, but no one seems to have done.
If you are certain what you want to have done then push for it, it’s your body after all, so your decision.
Good luck. Love and hugs. Debbie. xx
Hi ladies,
I have opted to have a double mx with recon, although i dont have a clue about which sort i should have.
I had a wle in feb 2010 followed by 6fec and 20 rads due to node involvment.the last 5 women in my family all had bc so i have been having mammos since i was about 38, now i am 45.
It was my last mammo in Jan 2010 that found my cancer, which was lucky for me, i have recently found out that i carry the brca2 gene alteration like my mum did, so have decided along with the genetisist that my breasts and ovary have to go, seems a bit harsh but, as long as i can have recon i am ok with it.
Being told you have an 80% chance of getting bc again, and may not be as fortunate next time, made me realise that having the mx was the in my best interest.
I am due my annual mammo on the 11th of this month, dreading it, i will also be able to have mri i think, but i am waiting to see my breast surgeon again , the genetesist has refered me to him, but what with xmas i have not had a letter yet.
Hope all goes well for everyone considering risk reducing surgery, Take care Sandrae x
Hi Second Sister
I am new to the forum but seem to be having a similar dilemma to you. I had a mx in July and a temporary implant so I didn’t wake up to a flat side. I had ILC with areas of DCIS and LCIS 10.5cm total. I had planned all along to have a DIEP reconstruction this year but am now facing the dilemma of whether I should have my other breast removed and have a double DIEP. I did post a question a few days ago but no replies yet.1 will end up at The Marsden in Fulham for surgery but would love to hear from anyone who has had a double DIEP.Not sure how I feel about 3 surgery sites! My Mum died of breast cancer but as she was the only female relative it is unlikely I have BRAC gene but I am trying to get tested. So many decisions to make!