TN and BRCA 1+ trying to decide on oophorectomy??

bdavid

My amazing wife was diagnosed with TN and also a BRCA1 +.   She had a lumpectomy to remove grade III tumor.  Also spread to lymph nodes. 43 benign lymph nodes removed.  She did dose dense chemo regiment, adriamycin and cytoxan, taxol,  and then 6 weeks of radiation and barely survived.  She was 35 when diagnosed and we are currently almost 3 years out from last treatment.  Our doctors want her to have an oophorectomy and we are really strugling with the decision.  Is there anybody out there that can help us in any way??  We are confused and scared and need some input from REAL people.

Moderators

bdavid, we're sorry that you and your wife are faced with this dilemma. Until community members post with their personal experiences and insights, there is information about oophorectomy on the main Breastcancer.org site that may be helpful for you.

Research News article about individualizing oophorectomy decisions

Prophylactic Ovary Removal section

The Mods

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bak94

Hi bdavid. I am a bit older, but always had said I would have my ovaries out before I am 40, but time went fast and now I am 45, but planning on having ovaries out this summer. I had triple neg breast cancer 2 times and am brca 1 pos. My mom died from ovarian cancer so it is an easy decision for me. I know we all have different concerns, but I am all for it. I know many people with ovaries out at a young age and have a good quality of life. What are your main concerns about it?

bdavid

Thank you.

bdavid

Her main concerns are the effects that the oophorectomy will have.  Early onset of menopause and all of the associated problems.  She had such a difficult time with chemo and radaition that I fear physically and mentally this may be too much.  We had multiple episodes of neutropenia that forced her into icu, she has severe nerve damage from her lumpectomy and lymph node removal and has to manage severe pain daily, neuropathy and numbness in fingers, etc...  As her doctors put it, she seems to always fall into the 1% of things that can go wrong.  She is so scared and I am right there with her.  Just want to make the most informed decision we can.