Hi Bevp 

I've not had a mastectomy so can't give any comment on that. I had a lumpectomy (2 in same breast in April) for invasive cancer. After getting my full results post op there was also 50mm of DCIS found alongside the invasive. I am about to start radiotherapy on June 5th and am already on tamoxifen.

It's all a bit of a shock for you right now but DCIS is contained and not outside the milk ducts and is the earliest form of cancer. It has almost 100% treatment rate. Hearing the word cancer is scary but if you have to have it, this is the earliest and 'best?' to get. I know it doesnt feel like it. 

I've not had my other breast treated as there is no evidence of cancer being present and this may be why they haven't suggested both to you. Use your appointment today to ask as many questions as you need. If you have someone going with you get them to write it down for you. 

There's a number of us breast ladies on here hun at different stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. If you need us we are here.

All the best today hun x

Hi Bev .. just popped by to say hi ... and the worst part for me was those early days on hearing that dreaded c word ... it takes time for the shock to wear off ..  but yours is early and the outlook is really promising ... I'm a grade 3 her 2 lass and l had my mastectomy last July... thought I'd be traumatised by looking at the scar after ... but it's fine, it just tells me the cancers out ... and it reminds me how far I've come ... but I'm 64 ... if I'd been a lot younger it would have felt different .. 

The op isn't half as bad as I'd imagined with a couple of our ladies at home with a cupper that very evening ... this cancer journey isn't a walk in the park, but it is doable ... cournishpastie has given you some great advice ... and although you will feel lots of emotions, wer all here to help .. you can do this ...Chrissie x

Hi Bev, I've not posted on here for some time but  I saw your post and thought I'd pop in. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with 8cm DCIS, I can understand your feelings, I had a sentinel node biopsy and then single mastectomy with immediate diep reconstruction. It is a shock to find yourself in this situation but I am sure you will find a lot of support here. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

jaks  x

Hi Bev,

While it's difficult, try not to worry too much.  DCIS is the earliest possible form of breast cancer (a pre-cancer kind of) so the most important thing is that you will be fine.  It's reassuring that routine screening picked it up.  While a mastectomy is a big shock for you it will be down to the size of the lump rather than the type of lump.  At 60mm lumpectomy with reconstruction would be difficult.

I'm unsure why you would prefer a bilateral mastectomy?  Do you have family history that makes it likely you are at risk of a genetic form of bc?  I don't believe there is any benefit to having both breasts removed unless you are already at increased risk of developing bc.

I have also asked for a bilateral mastectomy although my IDC is currently only on my left side.  I want it for a number of reasons.  There is reason to think I have family history (mum had it in her early 40s and sadly there are no other women in her family to help inform the story), they are going to do genetic testing for me now.  Another reason is that my breasts are full of very lumpy fibrous or glandular tissue, so my cancer is currently 5-6cm and only now can I start to feel it, even then I can only feel about 1cm of it, any future lump in my other breast could also get to stage 3 before me noticing it.  The final reason is my mental health.  I really struggle with even the slightest feeling of unevenness in my body and knowing that one boob is real and the other isn't is something I will (odd though it seems) really struggle with, the risk being I struggle to the point that I try to remove my other breast myself.

We've had to put off discussing the surgery since my diagnosis has been moved up a stage and I need to start chemo now.  However, in previous discussions they seemed happy to look at removing my other breast if it was what I really wanted.

I'm not in the UK though.

It would be worth considering why you want both removed.  If there is no medical reason then removing both would put you at more risk surgically as you'd be anaesthetised for longer.  If you have good reason to believe there is a genetic component though then push for it to be tested so your mind can be put at rest.  And if there is a mental health reason why you want both removed then maybe speak to your psychiatrist to see if they can advocate for you.

Best wishes with your treatment and with coming around to your diagnosis.  Let me know how you get on.

LJx