Breast Cancer Now Forum

I know you must be feeling so overwhelmed right now. Everything you are feeling is so normal so don't give yourself a hard time. I totally get the time bomb feeling. There isn't an easy answer to all this. I understand how you must be feeling about how you will look if you decide on surgery. I am single at the moment and I have decided against reconstruction for now. BUT if I do meet Mr Right For Me he will see that my journey and my choices and my fighting spirit is what makes me who I am. I want a man to be attracted to me for that, not whether I have perfect breasts. That's my feeling tho and you may not be there yet. However reconstruction surgery is improving all the time and loads of people have it with their mastectomy operation. There are options. Knowing you have this gene is so scary but try to take it as an opportunity. For years I wondered what I did to cause breast cancer at 31. But now I know what it was. You have time and options. Your consultant can refer you to a psychologist to talk through what all of this means. I am also going to do that. Take whatever help is offered. I understand about not talking to your mum but find someone. A friend or other family member. People are more open to help than you think. Don't be afraid to go back to your consultant and tell them your fears. It's your body and your worries and there are people who want to help. You will get through this xxxx ... View more

I had stage 3 12 years ago. I had chemo and radio and lump removed. Mine was a triple negative cancer and I was 31. I am still here. We are standing with you. Of course you will be scared. It's absolutely normal. Keep talking and asking questions and lean on everyone around you for support 🙂 x ... View more

Bless you, personally for me I would rather know where I stand. I am now 43 but had breast cancer at 31. Very young. My mum developed breast cancer 6 years after me aged 61 and my sister now has it at aged 41. My sister and I were both tested for the gene and we have both got BRCA1. This means an increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. I have decided to have a double mastectomy and removal of ovaries. I don't have children. My sister is also going to have the same. She has a daughter who is 10 and one day she will also be tested for the gene. All I can say is that having gone through cancer, knowing I now have this gene, means I can take back some of the control. I would rather know where I stand so that I can make informed decisions rather than decisions being made for me. You are young but you need to do what you feel is the right thing for you. You were told you had a high risk of getting breast cancer. Have you been tested for the gene? If not ask for a referral to your local genetics lab. You can then find out your exact risk and make informed choices. Good luck to you. Message if you need to know anymore. Teresa 🙂 ... View more

I had triple negative dcis stage 3 breast cancer 12 years ago. I was 31. I have this week been told I carry the BRCA1 cancer gene. During the past 12 years my mum and sister both developed breast cancer. My sis is currently going through chemo. She also has the gene. We both have a 60% ovarian cancer risk as well. I have decided to have a double mastectomy and removal of my ovaries. Is there anyone who has had risk reducing surgery? I am 43 🙂 I am also considering taking part in the research x ... View more