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Double Mastectomy

Janet64
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Hi. 

Just after a little support please.  This is all double Dutch to me. I'm 57, very active lady.

 

Diagnosed with breast cancer at Xmas.  10mm, no lump, tubular., Hormone related. Plan was to do lumpectomy.

 

The lumpectomy got cancelled.  They wanted a further MRI.  This shows another area.  Same size, same breast but different type of cancer ?.. 

I see surgeons this weekm and im guessing they'll say mastectomy.

 

My question is how will they react if I ask for a double mastectomy.  If it's all ready spreading and my sister's had it, I want to go through this surgery only. once.

 

Bearing in mind, I've had 7 major spinal fusions, 2 neck fusion, 2 hip replacements, 5 bowel surgeries.   Alot of hospital time wracked up.

 

Am I allowed to ask for this......

 

Thank you x

 

 

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    I am in the same position as you 10mm diagnosed 29/12 and with another suspicious area in the same breast.. been really positive but today hit a brick wall .. had MRI due resulto  this week but looking at a masectomy if everything I have read is correct ...I understand how you feel about a double masectomy  as having one large breast will feel so out of balance ....sorry as not sure if they will do a double  masectomy  but just wanted to wish well x

  • Offline in reply to Maggi74

    Hi [@Maggi74]‍ and [@Janet64]‍,

    I feel and hear you very much when you mention about your diagnosis. 

    I have IDC in my right breast and will start my first round of chemo soon. After chemo I'll have surgery then radiotherapy. I told my BCN I couldn't go through the worrying, waiting times and upset if the cancer spreads into my left breast, so would the surgeon give me a mastectomy on the non cancerous breast. 

    My BCN told me the surgeon would be reluctant to remove a healthy breast. She said if chemo shrinks the tumour, I could have a lumpectomy and the surgeon would make both breasts match, so I won't look lopsided. If it ended up with me having right a mastectomy, he would construct it and match the left breast at the same time, so I wouldn't have to go through surgery a second time.

    It may be different in your area. It wouldn't hurt to ask,...they can only say yay/nay.

    Hope this helps? 

    Big hugs n much love :love:

    Vee xx

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    Hi Jane & Maggi,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    I am so sorry to hear of your diagnoses and understand your desire for a double mastectomy. You are perfectly at liberty to ask for this, but as iloveife, has said in her reply, most surgeons are very reluctant to remove a healthy breast, as they say that this doesn't improve our chances. 

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years. The first time I had a lumpectomy, then for the second bout, I had a double mastectomy. This was because I also had what the surgeon was pretty convinced was a lump in my other breast, 6 months after my lumpectomy. I was fortunate with this, because it was benign on biopsy. However, I then found a second lump in my original breast a year after my first surgery. Unfortunately this was cancerous. Treatment was a challenge, but I now lead a busy and fulfilled life, so don't despair.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

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