Prophylactic bilateral mx after "successful" treatment?

I chose a bilateral mastectomy with expanders/implants.  Only one side was prophy, the other was necessary because of the nature/position of the cancer.  I never regretted it.  I was otherwise healthy, too.  If your oncologist is recommending it, I would seriously consider it, as long as you agree with his reasoning.  Second opinions and soul searcing are in order, of course.  Good luck. G.  

Caren, I understand that you are post treatment. If I were in your situation, I would get a second and third opinion. Mastecotmy and reconsruction are major surgeries and I would want to make sure it is necessary.



I had a mastectomy, without reconstruction, after being diagnosed with multi centric cancer. I had the surgery because it was necessary to treat my cancers. But I miss my breasts, I miss their sensation and I hate the fact that my scars are uncomfortable and serve as a constant reminder. I think close monitoring and even possible biopsy's would be better than loosing your breasts without a good reason.

Hello!  I myself chose to do a bilat masectomy, after being dx, due to being brca2 positive.  I don't regret it at all, but reconstruction is not a fun process, and I chose the simplest one, (immediate) with expanders and then silicone implants.  I was told that the lumpectomy and rads, treatment etc. has the same effective rate to treat cancer, but due to my age (41) and my brca status, the mx was my best choice.  Have you asked the onc to do the oncotype dx test? That might give you some idea of recurrence possibilities.  I was really struggling with the decision myself last july when I was dx, but the brca results made my decision really easy, and I don't think I could have convinced myself to do it otherwise. 

 I LOVE not sweating it out with mammograms and constant MRI's now, what a relief.   However,  why in the HECK is your doctor trying to talk you into it NOW, AFTER your surgeries and treatment? I could understand if you were 35 years old and pre-menopausal.    I understand his choice of prophylactic to avoid more recurrence, but geez louise...After all you've already been through, most people do NOT want to go back and do more surgery.  There are a lot of risks with DIEP procedures, and you need a VERY good surgeon to do it, as the more complex the procedure, the more complications or risks there are.    I agree with the idea of getting a second and third opinion before considering it, and getting an oncotype dx test if you haven't already had it done!    This journey is really a strange one, isn't it???.  I can't believe it's already been a year since I was diagnosed.  The things I've learned in a year.  Amazing.  Good luck with your decision!!!.  Jana    

Does the doc think you are at a high risk for new cancers? Seems they can treat what you have now but it's the future that is of concern. When I was dx the first time, I had lumpectomy, chemo, rads .. but the docs were recommending bm because I am high risk for a new cancer. I decided against it but almost 4 years later got a new cancer in my other breast. This time I did the bm.

A friend of mine who is the same age as you, was dx with 2 different tumors in one breast at the same time. Her docs felt it was not a matter of "if" but "when" she got a new cancer so she also did a bm. She is happy with her decision.

 Get a second opinion and then do what you feel is best for you.

I don't regret having the surgery...it is tough but I am able to say that I have done everything possible to lower my risks.

 I wish you good luck

Claudine