Should I consider getting a mastectomy

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MorgYig
MorgYig Member Posts: 3
edited January 2017 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi everyone,

Firstly, I've never written on a site like this, so I hope I'm doing it correctly. Now onto my question.

Since I was 15 years old I've been getting benign tumors in my right breast. Each time I've gone for a scan more and more have been appearing. The largest was the size of a goose egg. They are all extremely painful and I live at a constant pain level of 6 or 7 out of 10. I've had 6 different surgeries to remove the tumors, but they keep coming back. This past year I went in for another scan and they found tumors in my left breast as well. They counted 11 tumors between the two breasts. I'm 21 years old and I have a family history of breast cancer.

I'm just not really sure what to do now. Should I consider a mastectomy? Should I just continue getting tumors removed? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    Hi, are you going to a medical practice that specializes in breast cancer/breast health; who is authorizing the scans? It is really important to be evaluated by docs who specialize in breast conditions (not a gynecologist or general surgeon), and to get genetic testing done in light of your age, family history, and multiple tumors. At that point you will have some good info and can discuss future treatment options. Are you in the US? I know access to care can vary tremendously throughout the world.

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  • MorgYig
    MorgYig Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2017

    Hi again,

    Yes I've been seeing a doctor that specializes in breast cancer and breast health the entire time I've dealt with all this. As for who is authorizing the scan, it's been my doctor and the specialist who have been authorizing the scans. As for the genetic testing, where would I go to get that done, or can I just ask my personal doctor?

    Yes, I'm in the US, that's a very good point as different places around the world offer different levels of treatment and such.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    Morg, Your doc should have already brought up genetic testing; I assume you told him about your family's breast cancer history since that is a basic part of a diagnostic work up. Ask him or her about it. Insurance sometimes pays for all or part of it; it will depend on your plan. You can also get the testing on your own, but it is best to get a doctor's recommendation and go through insurance if you can. The link below provides some basic info, and there are options for help if you cannot afford it on your own. You may want to get a second opinion since it does not seem that your doc has been very proactive in offering genetic tests and counseling you about what your options are. You are so young, I am very surprised that your medical team has been so unhelpful! This continual scanning and surgery can't be good for your mental or physical health, and you need better answers. The tumors may be completely unrelated to cancer, but whatever their cause, you need better info and support from your medical team.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/genetic/facility_cost

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    Morg, Did your doc tell you what the breast masses are called? In googling around a bit, they sound like they may be fibroadenomas. If that is what they are, they are typically benign and occur in young girls/women and seem to be fueled by estrogen (and young women have lots of that!). They can recur, and some patients have multiples, like you. Sometimes laser and other non-surgical methods can be used to remove them (less scars and discomfort.) I obviously have no idea if this pertains to you, but if that is what you have, maybe get another opinion and see if this would be better than surgical removal? This link explains it a bit further.

    http://kanserdeyenitedaviler.com/en/dt_portfolio/fibroadenomas/

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    Morg - none of us are doctors. You really need to discuss this with your medical professionals. You said you're seeing a doc that specializes in breast issues. Is that an OB/Gyn, a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, a radiologist? If you aren't getting good feedback with your current docs, please find another one and get a second opinion. This is a very serious decision either way.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2017

    Another thing to note, Family history means only 1st degree relatives(mother or sisters). Aunts, cousins & grandmothers are to far removed. It does sound like your team of doctors are attentive.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    Coraleliz, since Morg is seems to be feeling discouraged (to say the least) by the scan/surgery merry-go-round she is currently on and is contemplating mastectomy at 21 years of age for a hopefully benign condition, I am not sure about her docs being attentive. If they were, I would think that other options would have been discussed by now. As to genetic risk, second degrees are sometimes considered; lots of women have few first degree female relatives. A preponderance of BC in first cousins/aunts/grandmother is meaningful. Insurance paying for genetic screening due to second degree BC is another matter, but it is something that treating docs will consider.

    http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/risk-factors

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2017

    Gracie good point about family history. My doctors considered 2nd degree relatives to be too far removed, but that was 6 years ago. Not sure if they still feel that way or not. As far as being attentive, they are addressing every occurrence morg presents with. A few years back, a friend of mine with similar issues had a different experience. The breast surgeon was often dismissive of her concerns, despite the fact that she had a 1st degree relative(mother) with BC. That was about 10years ago. She is still free of diagnosed BC. As far as finding another surgeon, this is not always possible due to insurance restrictions, geography, employment & many other reasons. Morg may very well have to take the bull by the horns & ask for genetic testing, if she wants this & realize she may have to pay out of pocket. Her doctors &/or insurance company may not consider a mastectomy appropriate in her case. The doctors are failing to alleviate her fears & concerns, some doctors aren't very good at that.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    Coreliz, yes, some docs are not good at alleviating fear and concerns and that in itself is reason enough for a second opinion; feeling that you are heard is a big part of successful care. Most insurances will cover a second opinion (and I am making the, possibly wrong, assumption that Morg has coverage, which does make it more complicated). Even if getting one is a hardship, at least the patient then has new eyes on the problem, and hopefully better info on possible therapies or confirmation that what is being done is all that can be done right now.

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