Opt for double mastectomy.

Olisnana, I opted for a double mastectomy not knowing for sure when I went under if my cancer was malignant or not. I've had people in my life die of cancer and before this happened to me thought that we should all have double mastectomies to prevent this from happening. I personally had dense breast and was frequently feeling "lumps" that worried me since I was in my 20's. I was diagnosed at 52, I am now 55.. However, when I was waiting for them to take me back for the surgery I couldn't help thinking how what a barbaric thing was happening to me. I was ER/PR+ Her- and my BS told me it was a good thing I had opted for a double mastectomy because I had precancerous tissue in my right breast. My decision to do double vs. uni mastectomy was because (1) I wanted to be even on both sides and (2) I am a born worrier and I know I would have made myself sick worrying about my remaining breast if I hadn't done this, and (3) I was only a B cup so I didn't have a lot to lose HAHA! and what I had after breastfeeding two babies was just a couple of "golf balls hanging in a sock" so to speak. And I did not opt for reconstruction. I have often wondered what it would be like for a bigger breasted woman to make this choice. I would think it would be harder. My insurance covered either way so that was not a issue and even if it was I was determined that was what I wanted and thankfully we were financially Ok regardless of what my insurance covered. So bottom line, I think it is a personal decision, as I'm sure you've already heard. Just know there are people that will support you either way so do what you feel is best.

Hi Ladies, I had a right mastectomy on 12/15 and I wish I had done both. I am 58, and am finding that comfort trumps a pretty bra any day. I am doing rads so not wearing a bra to help stop the itching. I was supposed to have immediate recon, but once the BS removed the breast the PS was concerned with the skin I had left since the tumor attached to it. In order to get it all, my BS had to take more so my incisions are all over the place. So I woke up with no recon. But on the other hand at Stage IV, I am not sure that I want to invest all of the time and money to rebuild it either. The element of surgery and recovery time is huge for me. And I will be going back to chemo. So not a big deal, I will take the time instead. But it is a hard decision to make, and you have to do what is best for you. But if I have the choice again, I will do the other side and go flat. Good luck!

I am 33 and am opting for a double. My mom was diagnosed with stage IV 3 years ago. I only have cancer on the left side but do not want to spend my life waiting for it to happen on the right. My husband and I talked about it and he let me know if was my decision but he supported me with whatever I wanted. So we are going to do the double with recon. Good luck with your decision!

I was 63 at the time of my diagnosis. I did everything step by step - mastectomy, oncologist, oncotype dx test, no chemo needed, then second mastectomy by PS and TEs, finally implants. It was the right process for me but I can understand how others might want to speed the process up. It took a full year to get through it