Hi, 

I have inflammatory breast cancer and I am going through a similar thing in my head, the only option presented is full mastectomy of my right breast, I am struggling to comprehend that there is no scanner to ascertain healthy and unhealthy cells and skin margins, and the only way is to remove the breast then look at it under a microscope to see if treatment has been successful in terms of chemo and radiation, this seems counter intuitive to me and I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs. 

What I am going to do is speak to my oncology team to find out options if I decide not to have a mastectomy and weigh up in my head the risks etc but also I plan to look at photos of mastectomy and reconstruction, think about the risks, and also see if I can do a meet and greet with previous patients to see their mastectomies and reconstructions.  For me personally, if I opt for mastectomy I have ruled out reconstruction from the stomach as I don't want a big scar across my stomach and I think it is too risky, which would leave the option of reconstruction from my thigh (my preferred option) as people less likely to see my inner thigh or from my buttocks. 

If I go for surgery despite the complications risks and hassle of reconstruction I think I would opt for reconstruction as without breasts if I opt for mastectomy I wouldn't feel like a woman and it would rob me of sexual identity, and also I do not want just a flat scar, but I am 44 but still very youthful and I have always had big breasts 40D that I have always liked, however, if I was a lot older or a smaller cup size a or b then I personally wouldn't bother with reconstruction.  So my advice would be to look at photos of mastectomies, speak to people that have had it, try to visualise it if you can to try and cope prior to the surgery so it is not a shock, speak to your surgical team and ask lots of questions that you may have, and then seek out people/opportunities to talk to people that have had mastectomies and reconstructions, look at photos, and then weigh up pros/cons, risks but also think about psychologically what might be best for you.

In terms of being strong it can be a roller coaster of emotions so my advice is if you feel like crying have a cry, if you need to talk to someone talk to someone, etc.

Hi, 

I have inflammatory breast cancer and I am going through a similar thing in my head, the only option presented is full mastectomy of my right breast, I am struggling to comprehend that there is no scanner to ascertain healthy and unhealthy cells and skin margins, and the only way is to remove the breast then look at it under a microscope to see if treatment has been successful in terms of chemo and radiation, this seems counter intuitive to me and I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs. 

What I am going to do is speak to my oncology team to find out options if I decide not to have a mastectomy and weigh up in my head the risks etc but also I plan to look at photos of mastectomy and reconstruction, think about the risks, and also see if I can do a meet and greet with previous patients to see their mastectomies and reconstructions.  For me personally, if I opt for mastectomy I have ruled out reconstruction from the stomach as I don't want a big scar across my stomach and I think it is too risky, which would leave the option of reconstruction from my thigh (my preferred option) as people less likely to see my inner thigh or from my buttocks. 

If I go for surgery despite the complications risks and hassle of reconstruction I think I would opt for reconstruction as without breasts if I opt for mastectomy I wouldn't feel like a woman and it would rob me of sexual identity, and also I do not want just a flat scar, but I am 44 but still very youthful and I have always had big breasts 40D that I have always liked, however, if I was a lot older or a smaller cup size a or b then I personally wouldn't bother with reconstruction.  So my advice would be to look at photos of mastectomies, speak to people that have had it, try to visualise it if you can to try and cope prior to the surgery so it is not a shock, speak to your surgical team and ask lots of questions that you may have, and then seek out people/opportunities to talk to people that have had mastectomies and reconstructions, look at photos, and then weigh up pros/cons, risks but also think about psychologically what might be best for you.

In terms of being strong it can be a roller coaster of emotions so my advice is if you feel like crying have a cry, if you need to talk to someone talk to someone, etc.