Considerng a bilateral mastectomy

I was 42 when diagnosed. After going through lumpectomy and 5 months of chemo, my follow mammo showed DCIS in the same bad breast. At that point I said enough, I want them both off. And this is what all the female doctors and surgeons I talked to advised as well, primarily because of my age. When I asked them what they'd do if they were me, they said they'd do the mast. The only one with reservations was my male oncologist, who warned me it was a pretty severe surgery. And indeed, he was right. But I am glad to be rid of them, I felt like they were ticking time bombs. 

I'm a triple positive but since you aren't getting to many responses I figured I'd post. My tumor was 5.5cm (invasive part only. Not sure what the DCIS part measured). No chemo before surgery. I couldn't do a lumpectomy because 5.5cm (at the time they thought 7cm) was to big for my A-small B breast. I was considering a BMX from the start since it took my tumor growing to this size in my dense breast tissue before they saw it on a mammo. I was thinking they might not spot it next time in the other breast. I did not want to do this again!

My BS didn't recommend the BMX at 1st. He was not in favor of removing healthy tissue. He did want to see what my BRCA test results and MRI were.

BRCA was negative but the MRI showed 4 suspicious spots in the "good" breast. He was really concerned about 1 spot. My BS recommended the BMX. Ended up that there was a small amount LCIS in the "good" breast. I feel we made the correct choice.

I am 49, not as young as you but still young for cancer and married, no kids. My tumor was very aggressive HER2+++ with a very high proliferation rate. Both triple positive and HER2+ tend to have grade 3 tumors with high proliferation rates… not something I want to risk getting again.

My surgery was Aug.31. I just finished chemo Tuesday. I'm feel good about this decision. I hope I never have to do chemo again.

Good luck with your decision. It is a tough decision. Remember that you will no longer have sensation in that area. Also, you can always go back and doa BMX but you can put back what  has been removed.

It is a very personal decision. I decided on a BMX. I am not triple neg but ER/PR-. Her2+. My daughter was 18 months old when I was diagnosed. My tumors were 1.8cm, 6mm, 5mm and 5cm of DCIS. They told me trying to get it all with lumpectomy would be very disfiguring. I decided to take both off. I realized I can't do it all again if it should come back.

My reconstruction had problems and I am somewhat uneven now with one DIEP breast and one implant. There really is no sensation in either breast, sexual or other wise. They don't really tell you too much about that when you are deciding what to do. I am starting to get used to it a bit but it is weird.

I am still glad I had a BMX. I couldn't live with the fear of it coming back.

Good luck deciding. I wish you strength in your fight.

I will not be having a bilateral mastectomy.  My lumpectomy is scheduled for next Friday, 2/4, and I'm at peace with my decision. 

My tumor was 3 cms and located deep in my left breast along my chest wall.  I started TAC X6 on 9/30, and just had my last infusion on 1/20.  After my 4th treatment, I had a followup MRI and my tumor was no longer detectable.  After my 2nd treatment, it was no longer palpable.  When I realized how well my tumor responded, I decided I wanted to keep my breasts.  

For me, this was a very personal, quality of life decision.  I'm 36 years old, a stay-at-home mommy to 4 wonderful kids (ages: 10, 7, 4, and 12 months).   It was hard enough on them for me to do chemo for 4 months, but recover from a huge surgery too?  I couldn't put them through that.  My surgeon explained that a mastectomy wouldn't increase my longterm survival, so I've opted for the lumpectomy.

Good luck with your decision.  I know it's not an easy one.

I too am considering a BMX... I already had a lumpectomy, in December but am worried. And not sure I can ignore my worrying. If I had the one tumor and otherwise very healthy breasts, maybe I'd be ok... but for 12 years I have had hyperplasia, adenosis, metaplasia and pappillomas... (had a lumpectomy 12 years ago for the ADH)... plus microcalcifications. I just feel I have a bunch of things that could turn to cancer at any time. After lots of time to think, and before I have radiation, I am wavering about the BMX and with all the great techniques they have today, reconstruction is very doable.

I have about 4 friends going through this at the same time as me... so its way too POPULAR, this cancer thing... and I too don't want to be here again in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years... make that ever... Mastectomy seems like the solution... and having ovaries removed as well... just cut it all out.

Thanks my vote.