Prophylactic Mastectomy

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alrz1980
alrz1980 Member Posts: 47
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hello all!  I have seen a genetic counselor (BRCA neg.) and also two different surgeons.  Both surgeons would not consider surgery for me even though I was requesting it and my insurance would cover it.  Any advice?  I have ALOT of "unknowns" about my family history.  What I do know is that 3 out of 4 of my dad's sisters had/have breast cancer, one in her 40's.  My mom's mom (my grandma) had triple neg. in her early 80's.  I also have extremely dense breast tissue as does my mom, sister (post- menopause) and my grandma and her sister's also had this.  I am supposed to start the mammo/MRI every 6 months schedule.  Tamoxifen has been brought up several times, too.  I don't want either of these.  How do I find a sugeon to take me seriously?  I am in the Chicago area... I have even thought of going out of state. 

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  • peanutsgal
    peanutsgal Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2013

    Arusso,



    Just curious how you know your insurance will cover a PBMX if a surgeon has not submitted it for prior approval?

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  • digrzdtr
    digrzdtr Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2013

    Hello alrz1980

    Due to multiple issues (significant family history, dense breasts, scarring from prior biopsies, hormone replacement tx due to total hysterectomy , as well as fibrocystic breast disease) I am considered to be high risk for breast cancer.

    I am a patient in the high risk surveillance dept of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Mangino. I started my journey there in 2006 after several years of mammo's, ultrasounds, mri's and four separate biopsies. After close to a year of extensive testing at MSKCC, I was medically and psychologically cleared for a BPMX. Unfortunately in 2007, my journey was detoured due to an accident that required spinal surgery which entailed a lengthy and difficult recovery. Fast forward to 2013- For the past 6 years, i remained vigilant with the screenings and thank God they have been negative and therefore the BPMX was kept on the back burner. Unfortunately, my last mammogram indicated microcalcifications requiring yet another biopsy. After multiple attempts to do a stereotactic needle biopsy, it was recommended that I have an open biopsy. The fear and anxiety that I experience feels very overwhelming . I am now back on the road to have a BPMX - I am under the care of breast surgeon Dr Alexandra Heerdt. I would recommend her and her team. I receive extremely personalized care. She is knowledgeable, compassionate and genuinely concerned about all of her patients. Remember that this is your journey- follow the direction that best meets your needs- even if that means looking further- please keep in mind that should you want reconstruction, the journey can take several months and become inconvenient and expensive due to traveling. Best of luck to you on your journey- I wish you good health and happiness

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