I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with a second strongly ER+, grade 2, IDC 3.5cm primary breast cancer 11 years after the same thing in the other breast. With the first, which was smaller at 2.5cm, I had tamoxifen for 7 years, bilateral reduction and 4 weeks of radiotherapy - no nodal involvement was found and the nodes appear clear now on ultrasound. From what I can gather I had a 3-4% base risk of this happening but of course lifestyle factors can increase that. I’m now on Letrozole (post menopausal at 63) while I try to make the decision between all the surgery options. I’m assured that a WLE (lumpectomy) will give me just as much a chance of complete cure as a mastectomy and that a single or double mastectomy is a purely emotional decision in terms of living with the fear of further diagnoses. What nobody can tell me is the % risk of a third primary depending on whether I go for WLE or mastectomy now. I would prefer a WLE as it would be much more straightforward and quicker but have to get my head around the fear of having a third diagnosis. If I opt for mastectomy I would prefer immediate reconstruction which involved a longer wait time due to plastic surgeon availability. In the meantime there is a small risk of spread of the tumour while I’m on the hormone therapy pre-surgery - the chance of that is around 3% and that terrifies me having already fallen foul of a small % risk in getting this second primary. My temptation is to get the WLE done asap as I could still opt for mastectomy at a later date if I have a change of heart although that would mean a long road of various treatments ahead. This is so difficult especially as my brain is once again addled by lack of oestrogen! Anybody else been in this position of having to choose and are you happy with your decision??? Does anyone have any info on the relative risks of recurrence following WLE vs mastectomy??? Thanks so much in advance 
I’m sorry I can’t say anything to help you with your dilemma as my case was entirely different to yours but I want to wish you all the very best.
I had a double mastectomy in November - I’d just like to reassure you that if you go for the mastectomy option the surgery was for me really easy with only a little pain on the first day after and good healing. For me it’s been the easiest and most straightforward part of my treatment so far. I know you have much wider issues to consider though.
Maybe calling the BCN breast care nurses might be a good help too?
With all best wishes and I hope you can get some help.
Thank you jayesse - I’m really happy it’s gone so smoothly for you - did you have reconstruction? My WLE would be a day case & back to normal activities after 2 weeks. I will give the BCNs a call, that’s a good idea.
Hello.
I wasn’t exactly the same situation but I had bilateral cancers and DCIS so needed a mastectomy and either a WLE or mastectomy on the other side.
I opted for double mastectomy (no recon). This was last summer and I had no problem with recovery - nodes were clear after biopsy and I was walking three miles just days later and back in the gym and running 10 days after surgery.
There was a long wait for plastics appointment hence me choosing no reconstruction (and then I decided I love being flat so will not be getting recon), and the long recovery involved in some of the reconstruction surgeries also put me off.
I think it’s a decision you need to weigh up depending on individual circumstances and the trade off involved in both options xx
I didn’t have a reconstruction because my surgeon said not to have one immediately as likely to need radiotherapy. I initially thought I would have one in the future but I’m not going to now - I’m a happy flatty who has thrown away all her prosthetics now! But I know that’s not what everyone wants - especially if they’ve only had a single mastectomy so still have one boob.
I’m a bit of a tom boy but have started to buy some more feminine clothes and find that helps me feel more feminine . A lot of people say they don’t even notice that my boobs (nicknamed starmer and sunak because I got diagnosed when they started to talk about the election) aren’t there any more!
Wishing you all the best xx
I’m the same - I was on holiday in October rocking my flat chest in my £2 primark bandeau bikini top (instead of the £60 bravissimo ones I used to buy) and not one person took any notice.
Just bought another couple for my hols next week xx
I found a very nice 3 piece swim suit on Amazon. Boy shorts, crop top, vest top (you can swim in) that goes over the top. The crop top had removable pads and is totally flat without them. I love it. X
Thank you all for your replies. I’m often hearing that women find they are happy to be flat and forget about reconstruction which is great.