Single vs double mastectomy

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Albertan
Albertan Member Posts: 38
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Last year I had a single mastectomy.  I had had DCIS 15 years ago with a lumpectomy and radiation.  This time around, with a new diagnosis of small invasive cells, I got the single mastectomy, nothing in lymph nodes.  After the surgery, I had 4 rounds of chemo and am now finishing up my year of Herceptin. 

A few weeks ago, I had a mammogram and ultrasound on my remaining side.  Radiologist report says there is a small, "probably benign" cyst (RAD level 3)  that everyone says is nothing to worry about, but I will be getting another ultrasound in 3 months. 

Does anyone know the stats on the likelihood that this is cancerous? 

I also wanted to express my opinion that if I had to do it over again, I would have had a double mastectomy last year.  Then I wouldn't have to have any more mammograms, and would not feel like I have this sword over my head, waiting to fall.  A double mastectomy was never brought up last year - I just didn't consider it and no one suggested it.  The prevailing attitude seems to be all about "breast conservation", which frankly I think is a load of BS.  With a single, I am now lop-sided.  With a double, I could just wear an undershirt and pretend I'm really flat-chested.  Just thought I'd express my opinion on this for anyone else looking at the option. 

Susan

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  • LeanneF
    LeanneF Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2013

    Thank you for sharing. I have to decide and think I am going bilateral. Just don't want the worry about the other breast, hopelessness, etc... 

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  • Albertan
    Albertan Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2013

    Tough decisions Leanne.  So all I can say is my own experience.  I am now considering a mastectomy on the remaining side, just as a preventative measure.  Hence my comment - and in your case, you have many factors to consider. 

    Best of luck to you.

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  • TessaW
    TessaW Member Posts: 231
    edited November 2013


    THANK YOU for sharing ladies. I have to decide QUICKLY which way I want to go. Dx in sept and mx anyday now. I'm a single mom so I don't have someone to really bounce this stuff off of. Plus, it makes a HUGE difference thinking about dating again at 43 with a MX.


    UGH, Righty has to come off but they said tumors in Lefty are benign. I've had big (and perky Happy) breasts since 5th grade. I've also had cerebral palsy since birth so having to lose my one good physical feature while single is freaking me out.


    It sounds like most of you believe the bilateral is the way to go. I asked about the right not matching my remaining left and they said they may have to reduce the left to better match the right. Scared ( D cup ) What in the world will it look like? What if I lose weight in the left and then the R no longer matches?


    All concerns, but is a bilateral that much more of a major surgery to recover from? I just don't know if I can handle it.

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  • julieho
    julieho Member Posts: 222
    edited November 2013


    I can only share my personal experience as I think this is always a personal choice.


    I had a bi-lateral mastectomy after being diagnosed in June of 2012 with a small 1.7 cm tumor (Stage one) in my left breast. I had been screened twice a year for the past 10 years prior to this due to a strong history of breast cancer on my maternal side - and had also tested negative about six months earlier for the BRCA genes.


    My instinct was to immediately go with bi-lateral mastectomy's given that my mother had breast cancer first in her right breast, had a mastectomy and then three years later, a new cancer (not metatisis) in her left breast and had a mastectomy on that one. I didn't want to "risk" and worry of it returning in my other breast.


    The first surgeon I met with strongly urged me to not do a bi-lateral. She felt it was a much larger surgery and that she didn't like the idea of removing healthy tissue for no reason.


    I met with my oncologist next who specializes in familial cancers and she disagreed. She felt that I should have a bi-lateral mastectomy, in large part because of family history but also because it was a grade 3 tumor and HER2 positive.


    I choose the BMX and had reconstruction at the same time. It was a very long surgery, 6 hours and the recovery was difficult but I have nothing to compare it to, not sure if it was much worse than recovering from a full mastectomy and reconstruction on one side only.


    I did end up with post surgical infections in my tissue expander on the left side and ended up having to have that expander removed and left out while I went through chemo treatments. After six months they put the tissue expander on the left back in and then four months later I finally had both expanders removed and my implants put in place. I did choose to have my implants be smaller in size than my original breast - I figured if I am going to go through all this I at least wanted to not have to wear a bra again.


    Since that time I have found out I am positive for a lesser known gene mutation - NBN mutation that means women with this mutation have a three fold chance of breast cancer. Both my second opinion team, my oncologist and genetic counselor all agree that I made the right choice for me in having both breast removed.


    I wish you the best - hope your recovery goes well.

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  • TessaW
    TessaW Member Posts: 231
    edited November 2013


    Wow Julie, It's so good that you had made the bmx decision when you did.


    I'm HER2 neg and they say the left are benign, but what about it coming back in the left? It's a big decision for me. Thank you for sharing your story

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