Mastectomy one or both?

Smithamber70

I am 29 years old Diagnosed with stage 2.B IDC breast cancer. I am triple negative, and don't have the BRCA gene. I had a tumor in my left breast that I could removed in June 2017. I also had multiple positive lymph nodes. I am having a mastectomy in January 2018 and I need some options. My surgeon just wants to remove my left breast and we made a pro and cons list and I said ok just the one. But now I am getting a few other options from other medical professionals to get both removed. Please help and give me your option I am really leaving towards getting both removed Just to be safe!

SoL263817

Well, I can't help you much with an answer but can tell you that I have the same question ! I have a stage 2 (no idea if it is a A or IDC. Don't know about the other point either, it is all new to me...

But, even if the genetic come back negatif, even if the MRI of the other breast shows nothing, would it be simplier to remove both ? At least for the reconstruction part !! If I understand well, because of the size of my tumor, I have all the chance to have some radiation so Implant are not an option, they'll have to take tissue from my own body. Tha plastic surgeon told me how he could put my breast back in place, giving them a bit more volume, etc etc. Sounds great, no ? So I feel at the same time futile to want a good looking chest and on the other side, just thinking, he ! can't that be the "positive" side of it ? Can't I have something nice coming out of it ?

I don't know... did you make any progress with this idea lately ? what does the surgeon says ? And the people around you ?

houmom

I personally am doing both, my tumors appeared out of nowhere, I had just had a mammogram 6 months prior to the biggest lump appearing. I don’t want to go through this again. It has been so much work already and I haven’t even had the surgery yet, the idea of having to do it all again is just exhausting.

But it is such a personal decision, you have to do what feels right for you. I have wanted a breast reduction for as long as I can remember, and I think the surgeon would have to be some kind of miracle worker to try and match the one that would be left! If you don’t feel like you need or want to get rid of the other, then it is up to you.