I have stage 3c inflammatory breast cancer. I am currently having chemotherapy and I will have a mastectomy around March time, followed by radiotherapy.
When I was originally diagnosed I requested that I had a double mastectomy. I was told no and I was possibly thinking that way due to the shock of my diagnosis etc.
It’s been 4 months now, and my views on this are getting stronger. I am not a suitable candidate for immediate reconstruction. And the thought of being lob sided is giving me so much anxiety.
I’m comfortable with being flat, I’ve never been a person to have my boobies on show or wear revealing clothes in that manner. I’ve been trying to research about the statistics around this to enable me to bring my case forward. Has anyone got any links that would help or any advice please?
I’m 37 and I just want to be able to finish the most intense part of my treatment once radiotherapy has done and move on with my life.
Hi Msjobo - first of all a big welcome to the forum. I really hope you will find support and help as you make your decision. I’m sorry I cannot help with your question myself, but I wonder if you have searched across the forum to see if you can find previous threads/topics where this has been discussed? I hope someone else will come along, but in the meantime I thought you might have a look at previous discussions. I know I have read similar questions.
From what you write it sounds like you have thought this option through very carefully. I think you have to be very firm with your team and I think I remember reading that you may have to see a psychologist too. I did ask my surgeon, he said no and I left it at that as I wasn’t as definite as you are about having both done.
If there are any other questions I can help with, or if you just want to chat things through, I’m very happy to help. My very best wishes as you go forward, Evie xx
I can’t give you a definitive answer but just want to let you know I understand and feel the same. I had a single mastectomy in June and have now completed 4 sessions of chemo. I had a previous breast cancer in 2012 and DCIS in 2006. So I’ve well and truly had enough. My chemo was stopped due to side effects so I’m very anxious that my options will be limited if/when another tumour appears. I have e mailed my breast care nurse to ask about getting a further mastectomy but have not heard back. During Covid I know it won’t be a priority. I am determined though and if all else fails I’ll be getting it done privately, though this really goes against the grain for me. Good luck. No one knows better than you how you feel about your body and how you will cope.