Hi,

I opted for a mastectomy, afterwards my surgeon said he was glad that I had chosen that, because my tumour was bigger than expected and he would have had to do a mastectomy anyway.

There are positives and negatives for either choice.  With a mastectomy there may still be further surgery if the sentinel nodes show signs of cancer as mine did, but I didn't need radiotherapy because there was no more breast tissue or lymph nodes to be blasted.  I was told at my age, I was 73, chemotherapy probably wouldn't do me much good. So I feel I got away with something. For cancer prevention I just take a hormone blocker every night, and calcium and vitamin D supplements.

 Friends, who were diagnosed around the same time as me, have had lumpectomies, have done the fat roll thing, had to go back for further surgery to get clear margins, and later had full DIEP reconstructions, but also had to have chemo and rads, with the result that they were still having surgery and other treatments for far longer than I did. 

The only thing I regret about my mastectomy is that I couldn't persuade my surgeon to do a double.  I don't miss the missing breast, but I hate having a useless appendage that has changed my shape, and wearing a prosthesis is a pain. I only wear mine if I'm going out with friends.  I don't have the worry of a partner who may feel that I am disfigured, so, obviously the sex life problem doesn't occur.

Good luck with your decision making, there probably are other pros and cons to consider, but that was my experience. Also, good luck with your chosen course of treatment and in a few years you might just reply to someone asking the same questions.

Christine xx

Thanks, that's helpful to know.

HI Manda,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with cancer. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. First tme around, I had a lumpectomy, followed by Tamoxifen. My post-op pathology results showed that the surgeon had not achieved a clear margin, but he assured me that he had realised this at the time and taken sufficient away to ensure that he had. Six months later, I found a larger lump in my other breast. My surgeon (a different man) thought that this was cancerous, but biopsy proved otherwise. Almost a year to the day of my first operation, I found another lump in my original breast. I was told that this was a second primary, but I do wonder whether this occurred because a clear margin had not been achieved after all.

I then had a double mastectomy, because my surgeon felt that the lump in my other breast could have been pre-cancerous. This was followed by Letrozole for 6 and a half years. Unfortunately, I couldn't have reconstruction due to scarring from previous non-cancer related surgery. All of this was 13 years ago. I still manage with an assortment of bilateral prostheses, for different activities. 

My lumpectomy scarring was not very pretty. I also had a lot of discomfort driving over speed humps, which was unavoidable, as the street that I live in has these. I always had the worry of whether or not enough had been removed. After my mastectomy, I felt much more comfortable than after my lumpectomy. I also felt that we had removed as much as we possibly could. I do miss my breasts, which were my pride and joy, but I look on what's left, almost as my battle scars. Without them, I might not still be alive today. 

I don't have the same sensation that I had when I had my nipples, but there is still some feeling present. I was 60 when first diagnosed. Unfortunately, I no longer have an active sex life, as my husband is seriously ill, so I cannot report on that side of things. However, had circumstances been different, I doubt that my mastectomies would have made any difference.

I hope that this helps in your decision making. If you have any further questions, I am happy to answer them.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

You r what u r yes sex is a big part of a couple it wouldn't bother me if my wife didn't have any breast as long as your health would come first,I've got chemo and radiotherapy in my neck and I cant have sex with my partner and it don't bother us and it really shouldn't bother u your healt/ our health is important and sex will come when u r both ready

hope that helps

Hi good luck with whichever surgery you opt for. I am just into my 3rd week after a left breast and nipple mastectomy. The surgery was good, painful obviously at first, drain bottle very annoying and awkward but removed after one week and that is when you feel you can start to do more and sleep much easier! If you opt for the mastectomy it comes with the emotional side attached! I will be totally honest here, I am 51, all this has been a huge shock but I have family history so there was always a chance I would have a risk! I have really struggled with how I now am after surgery, but you won't really know how you feel until you have gone through the operation. I did want immediate reconstruction but after another health issue showed up on my CT scan unfortunately for me this option was taken away and if at all possible will be a lot further down the road! I personally feel very different and really want reconstruction if possible but that's me and everyone is different. You don't have to decide straight away you have the option to have immediate or later reconstruction the choice is yours depending on your overall health. Really think about your options, speak with your consultant and get them to explain all the options then you can make an informed choice! Good luck with your operation be strong and brave about what choice you make and let us know how you get on. Take care sending huge love to you on your journey and most of all you have to choose as you will be the one who has to live with the new you! Xxxxx