removing one breast or two

Serina

Yesterday I went to get results from MRI Biopsy, Bone Scan & Cat Scan to see if cancer from 2006 had spread anywhere else in my body.  I was told the good news that it hadn't spread, but my left breast will have to be removed.  I had a lumpectomy  in Oct.2006. (10 nodes removed - 5 cancer, 2.5 cm. lump in side of left breast, ER status Neg., grade 2).  The cancer is now back in the same spot in left breast.  I asked if both breasts should be removed and was told in my case the type of cancer I have generally spreads to different organs in the body rather than going to the other breast.  After reading many of the posts on the discussion board I'm wondering if I've been given the best advice.  I'm also thinking of the balance issue with only having one breast.  I've always been big breasted and have hated it.  I wouldn't mind being flat chested.   How uncomfortable is the prosthesis?

Serina

Yesterday I went to get results from an MRI biopsy, Bone Scan & Cat Scan to see if cancer from 2006 had spread anywhere else in my body.  I was told the good news that it hadn't spread, but my left breast will have to be removed.  I had a lumpectomy in Oct.2006 (10 nodes removed - 5 were cancer, 2.5 cm. lump in side of left breast, ER Status-Neg., Grade 2).  The cancer is now back in the same spot as before.  I asked if both breasts should be removed & was told in my case the type of cancer I have generally spreads to different organs in the body rather than going to the other breast.   After reading some posts here on the discussion board I'm wondering if I've been given the best advice.  I'm also thinking of the balance issue with only having one breast.  I've always been big breasted & have hated it.  I wouldn't mind being flat chested.  How uncomfortable is a prosthesis?

GryffinSong

I can't advise you from experience, because I was just diagnosed and don't know my options yet. I'm inclined to have both mine removed, and not worry about reconstruction or a prosthetic. I tend to wear baggy shirts anyway, so the idea of having a flat chest simply doesn't bother me. I'm guessing the prosthetics would be like wearing a bra only hotter/clammier because of the extra padding.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

kerry32

Serina - I had a bilateral with no recon and wear the prosthesis everyday without any problems.  I wear a size B cup prothesis and bra and it's not uncomfortable at all.  I had the exact same thoughts as you when considering my decision- how much of a hassle will this be - and actually i was fitted one month out and have had not any problems.  I even wear them to workout and swim.  As far as being hotter/clammier i think it's the same as having normal breasts - if you're big to begin with you'd already have that problem and at least these you can take off - lol!

Erica3681

Serina,

Although it's not medically necessary for your other breast to be removed, it might give you more peace of mind--less worry about a second cancer in the other breast. That's one reason some of us have opted for bilateral mastectomies. Another reason would apply in your case--since you're big-breasted, you might feel off-balance with no prosthesis and would have to match your large breast with a large breast form (prosthesis). From reading many posts on this site and from feedback on my own non-profit website, BreastFree.org, it's my impression that, in general, women who wear smaller, lighter breast forms find them more comfortable than women who wear large forms. Of course, with bilaterals, you could also take GryffinSong's route and not wear anything!

I had a bilateral mastectomy and wear breast forms. Over time, I've accumulated different forms, some unweighted, some silicone, some not. I can exercise, swim, and wear tight-fitting clothes comfortably and I look totally natural in clothes. This is also true for women with single mastectomies, but those with larger breasts seem to report that it's a bit more challenging to find comfortable solutions.

Hope this helps. 

Barbara

Serina

GryffinSong - Kerry32 & Barbara - Thankyou so much for answering my post.  I value the advice each of you have given.

I'm afraid though I'm having a hard time deciding.  I wish I was as positive as you Gryffin Song.  I'm fearful of the operation itself and am thinking twice the pain for two or see how one goes and do it again if needed.  This is one decision I wish I didn't have to make as you well know yourselves.

Skyrat

Serina - I am so sorry you are in this position.  Losing your breast(s) is never an easy decision and it is permanent - once done, you can't go back and change your mind.  For me, the decision was easy; I was going to have to have a mastectomy on the left, so since I was going to lose one, might as well take the other too.  I do not wear prosethesis yet (bilateral 26 Dec 2007), and am comfortable.  The hardest part was right after and I looked down for the first time.  I could not believe that big beachball was my gut!  I opted for no reconstruction for the simple reason that if cancer shows up anywhere in the tissue that's left or on the chest wall, I did not want anything to stand in the way of discovering it immediately.  I also didn't want to go through more surgery.  You will come to the decision that's right for you.  Hugs and prayers, Gina

nagem

My case may not be typical, but I had virtually no pain when I had bilateral mastectomies (one was prophylactic). The drains were a nuisance, but they were gone in a week. I had some initial numbness and a little itchiness. Now I actually have some normal sensation in my chest. My advice would be to go to a breast surgeon, not a general surgeon, and carefully discuss options for surgery. 

Serina

Gina & Nagem - Thankyou for your thoughtful comments.

GINA - Thanks for reminding me this is a permanent decision.  It all seems so unreal to me at the moment.  I wasn't even thinking about the beach ball effect.  It's funny, but not!  Mine would surely look huge when looking down.

 NAGEM - I'm having the same surgeon as I had 2 yrs. ago when I had the lumpectomy.  She is a breast surgeon & I feel comfortable with her.  What a relief it was to hear you say you had virtually no pain.  I remember the numbness & itchiness from the lumpectomy & its all bearable.

I just got my surgery date today. It's set for Nov.26th.  They told me I will have to go in & talk to the guy giving the aneasthetic and attend a "breast class" before my surgery date.  They said the breast class is to discuss any concerns I might have and to watch a video about the operation and also to talk to other women who have gone thru it.

BARBARA - I took your advice & went on your website, "Breast free.org.  It's an excellent site - very helpful.

At this point I am looking at having only the one breast removed, but there is still time to change my mind. 

Wishing everyone Health & Happiness.

paige-allyson

I recently had a second mastectomy after deciding that I did not want the hassle of continued monitoring and the worry of local recurrence. I also didn't like being uneven. I am really happy with the results- much more comfortable with my body. I wear forms most, but not all of the time. I generally skip them for workouts and definitely for swimming.

I had single mast when I was first diagnosed. Even then I knew I might at some point do the second but at the time there was so much to deal with I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. You can always have a second mastectomy if you decide that's right for you, it's not like this is your only chance. You could do it next year or in 10 years if you wanted.

Wishing ease of body and peace of mind. 

lilith

Hi...

I was a 36DD, and I had a right-side mastectomy. Eventually - one year later, I had also a bilat and reconstruction.

While waiting for the recon I wore a silicon breast form - most of the time - and I really hated it. It was comfortable enough, most of the time I could forget it. With hot weather, I would sweat under it, and feel clammy and after a while it was uncomfortable. And... I really disliked the "flop" that the bra with the breast form would do when I undressed - I never got used to it.

I guess if I had had a bilateral to start with, I may not have bothered with a reconstruction. As it is, I was able to take off the second breast and complete the recon in one operation only (no expanders... bless my PS), and it was totally worth it. I have back my life and my looks... of course now I just have to watch my weight!!! LOL.

Serina

ALLYSONW & LILITH - You've given me "food for thought" - Thankyou both so much.

susanmary

Hi...

I am estrogen pos. and asked the surgeon to remove both boobs (the cancer was in the left one), but he refused, saying ethically is was not the correct thing to do. Maybe, that was his way of putting me off about bilateral, but I have a lot of confidence in him. So I am only half boobless! Had the masetecomy 6 years ago.

marbr2

SUSANMARY - Thankyou for your post.  Six years is a long time now.  Just wondering if you have noticed any back or neck problems since the masectomy.