LCIS/ALH

Are you sure insurance won't pay for it? I had two biopsies in two years for discharge, the first missed the problem, so two years down the road I had another. It showed ALH and ADH. I figured they could take my breast a piece at a time or I could have them removed. There was no doubt I wanted them off. I never looked back. Insurance paid for it and recon.

I don't think it is overly agressive. One of the main reasons I wanted the BMX besides cancer prevention, was to stop the high risk screening.

Also, what do you know about your breast density?

I knew I had dense breasts, but was not aware of the degree of density. Apparently they were extremely dense, thus one of the reason the MRI did not pick up the IDC on the screening three months earlier, or two years earlier.

I admit it, I am completely biased. The PBM was tough. The breast cancer DX was tougher.

Shelton,

I was diagnosed a year ago with LCIS.....I started a thread under the LCIS topic called "Surveillance for me?  Yeah, Right, Sure......"

I chose the PBMX.....nipple sparing, though I lost my right one - areolas are intact.  I also chose to have profile shaped silicone implants placed after tissue expansion (TEs).  Sientra and Allergan have profile implants on the market.  At the time of my exchange, Sientra was it.

LCIS has a classification in NCCN guidelines.  If you desire risk reduction strategies, a preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy is one recommendation, and insurance does pay for it, and the reconstruction to achieve anatomical "normalcy" if you want it.

The nice thing is you don't have to rush and can research your surgeons and choose your hospital, etc. depending on your insurance.

I work in health care and chose to have my procedure here where I know the players.  The only thing I paid for was my reconstructive surgeon's time.  The docs on my plan offered smooth round saline implants only and wouldn't even discuss fat grafting (I was jumping the gun they said - but I ended up needing it!)  I had a greater trust level with the one doc who didn't take my insurance......but he did work with me regarding his fees.

If you have any questions, message me!

Best of luck to you!

Audrey

I had LCIS and chose a PBMX immediately. No reconstruction. I have an anxiety disorder and couldn't see dealing with the constant worry, and regular MRIs. I am very glad I did this. The mastectomy wasn't really that bad at all . No regrets. My insurance did pay. Best of luck in your decision! And yes, waiting would be ok, as long as it's only LCIS and nothing more. Nan

I am in a similar situation except I had ILC. My 2 biopsies showed LIN, ALH and more calcifications. One thing I learned from a nurse that because I have a job where I use my arms daily lifting 50#, they did not recommend the saline implants because it would be hard to work during the months of stretching the skin. Am waiting to see the surgeon... My oncologist said there wasn't a rush to have the surgery, so am waiting until after my last big job. Perhaps November for me. The stress is something I don't want to deal with.