mastectomy

Littlemisscheff

Hey ladies ,

I found out that my mother and my grandmother had ovarian cancer and breast cancer and they both passed away . I'm wondering if any of you have had a mastectomy as a personal choice and if it was covered by health care or did you pay for it and if you did pay for it how much did it cost? Also any good doctors would be helpful

eaglemom

Hi Littlemisschrff,

I'm sorry your mother and grandmother passed away from breast and ovarian cancer. My mom is a (3 time!) ovarian cancer survivor and her journey has been very difficult.

Have you and/or your mother/grandmother had testing for the BRCA gene? Are you located in the US or another country? I'm in Canada and I believe our public health care system covers prophylactic mastectomy and salpingo oophorectomy (ovaries and fallopian tubes) for people who test positive for the BRCA mutation. People in the States could give you more info about what would be covered there but I think a lot depends on what insurance you have.

Moderators

Welcome to BCO but to gain responses to many of your questions depends upon where you live, and you have not stated that. It also would probably depend upon results of genetic testing to see if you carry any dangerous genetic markers that increase your risk.

Please take one step at a time and see your Doctor regarding possible genetic testing due to your family history. Read Genetic Testing Facilities and Cost and Genetic Testing . Only after such testing would you consider your next steps, if any required.

Wishing you the best

The Mods