here we go again...

mbsoxr

Had a good mammo of the left at 9 months check up following lumpectomy for DCIS with Mammosite rads in left breast, but got called back to look at new calcifications in right breast at site of 2003 IDC tumor bed (had lumpectomy for ADH in same breast in 2005)...  Breast radiologist suggested wait for 6 months & then take another look.  I am 70 years young, with very dense breasts & lumpectomy in June 2009 was 100% ER+ and 75% PR+.  I am opting for a bilateral mastectomy soon, rather than wait, so made an appointment with my breast surgeon for next week for hubby & I to talk about having this done with no reconstruction.  Talked it over with my PCP this morning, who feels it will be a good move now while we are both fairly healthy - my husband is 72 & very robust, but who knows the future?  I have diabetes & lots of related complications, but am stable right now.  Also talked with my GYN, who believes this should happen...  Does anyone know if Medicare would cover a bilateral proph mx? Am I nuts to want this over with?  Mary 

karenjaninaz

I was 67 when diagnosed. Decided immediately on bilat mastectomy because my breasts were always needing biopsies and were very dense. I also opted for immediate recon/implants. Medicare paid for the second breast which showed a previously undiagnosed, low grade tubular cancer, after being removed. medicare paid for the recon too. cannot tolerate Arimidex because of SE and only taking 1/2 dose tamoxifen. Onco said I could opt nothing but I do not have that much courage--however my memory seems worse and I might stop. I am now glad not to worry about the opposite side. I had 2 tumors on the right and the 1 surprise one on the left.