Choices of breast surgery

I am recently diagnosed with dcis non invasive breast cancer. I have been offered the option of mastectomy to the affected breast, but they won’t remove the clear one. Or I can have breast conserving surgery with a flap to fill in the missing tissue. I have a week to decide and just don’t know what to think. I really wanted a double mastectomy and reconstruction. This is not an option. They won’t reconstruct the breast even if they remove one as I’m a smoker. I didn’t realise this would happen. I don’t know how I feel about being so wonky with just one breast. But what if a reconstructed breast using the flap is just as wonky. Does anyone have any experience of this? 

  • HI Julie1974,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    Doctors are very reluctant to remove a healthy breast, as they say that the long-term outcome is no better if this is done, instead of a single mastectomy or lumpectomy. It is always very difficult to reach a decision, when you don't have all the facts to hand. It is good to hear that your DCIS is non-invasive. Did your surgeon consider a lumpectomy first, or was a mastectomy the first choice? You might find it helpful to ask your breast care nurse if she can show you some photos of  of a reconstructed breast using a flap to help with your decision. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees with any surgery, but any I have seen look quite symmetrical after.

    Whatever you decide, I hope that it is the best choice for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx