Hi, I would go for a second opinion at a Breast cancer center before you make a decision.
Good luck with everything…
1 Like
Hi @rainbowcat
Sorry to hear that you have to make this decision, my recent experience is similar to yours.
I had DCIS with a successful lumpectomy 3 years ago in my left breast and then in my annual follow-up last September discovered a small area of DCIS in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy in Jan and a re-excision in February as there weren’t clear margins, these surgeries weren’t successful. I was left with the choice of further investigation with an MRI scan and more biopsies, another re-excision or mastectomy.
In my situation the multi-displinary team and my surgeon strongly advised a mastectomy but were willing to be led by myself regarding if I wanted to try and preserve my breast. I decided to take their advice as a lot of the DCIS was occult so not calcified so I was concerned that it would still be there and picked up in future years anyway and wanted to remove that stress and worry.
I then explored reconstruction and was deemed suitable for a DIEP reconstruction (using my stomach fat), which I had in April, I am very happy with the results as my breasts still feel like part of me, if I wasn’t suitable for the reconstruction I would have considered other options including going flat just to be rid of the worry.
All the best with your decision and if you have any questions do ask, I have found that everyone is really helpful on this forum xx
2 Likes
Sorry for being slow to respond @swk1981 . I’d decided reluctantly to go for the mastectomy however then found out I’ve got BRCA2 gene so it stopped being a choice really and instead is the only option. Really pretty gutted at all the surgery ahead but it’s all I can do 
Sorry for the delay @Summer-sunshine. Thank you for your kindness. Your situation does sound very similar to mine. It’s hard isn’t it? I’ve found out I have BRCA2 gene alteration now so unfortunately there’s no real choice. But even before that was diagnosed like you I was concerned about the stress and worry of what the scans can’t yet see in the breast. I don’t want to be living this nightmare after every mammogram. I’m so pleased you’re happy with your reconstruction. I’m seeing the reconstruction specialist nurse this week - implants are probably my only option so will try that on one side and then see if I like it before doing the other side. I can’t believe I’m even considering going flat however this situation forces you to consider all options to stay alive. X
1 Like
It might take a little while but I think not having a choice made it easier for me to come to terms with what needs to be done. I’m still a few weeks out from surgery but prior to having my consult with my surgeon, I knew that it would likely be close whether or not I could go for a lumpectomy and I was going back and forth over what I would prefer. However, when speaking to my surgeon it became clear that mastectomy was the only option and at least for me, that was a bit of a relief. My only choice now is on the reconstruction, but given that I have to have radiotherapy I can’t have an immediate reconstruction and thus have a little more time to think about my choice.
2 Likes
Hey lovely, I’m both delighted they’ve found a reason for you and gutted for you all at the same time! You can now have the best attack knowing it’s BRCA. A friend is just completing the oopherectomy part and is delighted with the results and surgeries and has found it all a million times easier than chemo. She also has two fantastically matching boobs and they look great!
Long road ahead for you but you will get there and you will be in a good position from a cancer point of view, especially from an ovary point of view since that is a much more silent and pervasive cancer than breast cancer so it’s good to get those ovaries out of you!!!
Take your time on the reconstruction decisions. Can I ask why a DIEP isn’t an option for you? Xx
1 Like
Thanks @swk1981 I’m thrilled to hear about your friend’s experience. It feels so daunting and it’s INCREDIBLY helpful to hear about people getting out the other side of the surgery. Getting my head round this being a longer journey is quite tricky, especially when balancing sick leave.
I agree on the ovaries perspective - it’s a worry right now as I’m in my early 40s and there’s no reliable testing. However I was reassured this week that they’ve found BRCA2 just around the time my risk will start to rise so we can figure out the best timing to do that op. So fingers crossed there’s nothing cancerous there currently 
They’ve not entirely ruled out DIEP as I understand it (my measurements and photography have gone to the whole oncoplastics team to review) however I don’t have much fat so the initial sense was that it’d be challenging to create two breast reconstructions out of it. I’m not sure it’s the right option for me so I’m comfortable with choosing between implants and flat. Both the BC and genetics teams were keen for me to do one side to ensure the cancer is gone and psychologically get used to the implant before doing the second side. Initially I was keen to just do it all but now I think they are right. I’m hoping that losing the second currently healthy breast will be an easier choice doing it this way (i.e. because it’ll take me to a place where I have two similar breasts). X
1 Like
I agree. The other options were so sub-optimal and potentially going to result in going back to needing a mastectomy, and so the BRCA2 diagnosis has at least stopped me wrestling with this in my head. It’s just escalated so quickly - in weeks we’ve gone from a second lumpectomy, a week of radiotherapy and hormone therapy, to double mastectomy, ovary removal and whatever drugs are necessary based on lab results and my risk. My mind is quite blown at times. I hope you your treatment goes well and good luck making your reconstruction choice. X
1 Like