Hi Jilly,

Do you know what type and grade of breast cancer you have? These factors will impact on the outcome too. If you were to ask people who had already had mastectomies for their advice, you would probably get as many people for as against. Your consultant should be in the best position to advise you, as s/he will have your mecical history, age and cancer details all to hand.

This is a decision that only you can reach. I had a lumpectomy 11 years ago, then had a benign lump in my other breast 6 months post-surgery. I then discovered a second lump in my original breast, a further six months down the line. This was a second primary cancer. I had a double mastectomy when I was 61 and have never looked back. I had 8 years of hormone therapy following surgery. I couldn't have implants due to previous non-cancer related surgery, but manage well with a range of different prostheses.

I felt happier after my mastectomies as opposed to my lumpectomy, as I felt that I had removed all that could possibly be taken away. There is always the fear of recurrence, which ever option you decide upon, but this is something that all cancer patients have got to learn to cope with.

Do please let us know what you decide to go for. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx