HELP I NEED TO DECIDE

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Paula_75
Paula_75 Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Hi
I have a question, and I not sure what should I do !!!!!!! and I need another point of view, I will be operated next week. So I need to decide soon.

I had a left mastectomy a year ago and I still got an expander and it will be replace for an implant.
My surgeon said that I need a simetrization. I have fear that the cancer returns. Should I have mastectomy on the other side.

What I should do?

A- Preventive mastectomy with reconstruction with an implant?
B- Or just symmetrization surgery and implant?

Many thanks, greatings from Barcelona :)

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    Bump

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited February 2012

    I think you should do what you are most comfortable with. Have you found out if you have a genetic mutation? Sometimes this info helps with our decisions. Will ease your worry to have the other side removed? It is such a personal decision. Maybe you should get a couple of medical opinions of your risk to cancer in the other side and ask what they would suggest. Good luck with your decision!

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited February 2012

    Hi Paula

    There is only a 5% chance of cancer in your other breast in a lifetime. This is called contralateral breast cancer. If you have a genetic mutatation the chance of a contralateral breast cancer jumps to 25% in a lifetime. It happened to me within two years of the operation for my first TN tumour. But I have a strong family history and a BRCA 1 mutation of 'unknown significance'. I honestly think that the answer to your question rests on a factors such as:

    1. Do you have a genetic mutation? 

    2. Do you have a strong family history of breast / ovarian cancer?

    3. How do YOU feel. Would you be happier with the other breast removed?

    Hope this helps - bak94 is right - it's a personal decision. 

    Karen X

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