Has anyone one else made this decision. I fear that even if I do not do this all at once, I will always be in fear that it's just a matter of time before I lose the other one. I know Nancy Reagan had both removed and seems to be doing fine. This is a very pain decision and would like your opinion
2007-10-18 11:43:20 · 7 answers · asked by jean 7 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I know I had to talk to my doctors, but I would like to hear about others who have made this type of decision, but thank you for taking the time to answer
2007-10-18 11:57:50 · update #1
You need to be discussing this with a trained medical professional. There are several different types of breast cancer, and your physician would be the best resource for help with making this decision.
2007-10-18 11:49:26 · answer #1 · answered by Foggy1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have not had to make that decision and follow through, but when I was faced with a lump through the waiting process I had thought about what I would do.
Given that the chances of cancer spreading to the other breast and the fact that cancer tends to hide and it is very sneaky, I decided that if needed I would have both removed. Many women do get both removed for various reasons. If you are married I would discuss this with your husband and your loved ones and see how they feel about it.
This is such a personal decision to make. I feel for your situation and no matter what you decide I pray all will be well.
Have they determined if your margins are clear? If they are not clear and they are removing any lymph nodes, I would get the other one removed.
Part of staying healthy means taking care of our mental health and if leaving your other breast in is going to cause you great anxiety it would be best to have it removed so you can stay focused on your recovery and when healed you can remain focused on living your life Cancer Free.
Best Wishes!
2007-10-18 12:25:28 · answer #2 · answered by Greenie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand that you can lose all affinity for your breasts once one of them give you cancer. I had Stage IV cancer that spread to lungs, liver, and bones, but only had a mastectomy on the side of the cancer. The following factors should help you decide what is best for you...
1. If you are HER2neu positive...the cancer will be kept at bay with Herceptin.
2. If you are estrogen/progesteren positive... the cancer is treated hormonally.
3. If you are triple positive...the cancer is highly treatable...if any of the above are negative...I'd think more toward double mast.
This IS a tough decision. Nobody wants to "what-if" in the future. I'm in a different place. With cancer that has spread, I know I will eventually die from this, we're just trying to keep it away as long as possible. Maybe there will be a cure someday soon.
I'll pray for guidance for you along the way.
2007-10-18 15:26:00 · answer #3 · answered by Suzanne D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though there is a history of breast cancer in my family on both my mother and father's side, I opted to only have a lumpectomy (a.k.a. partial mastectomy) along with chemo and radiation. If at some time in the future cancer is detected again then I will consider radical mastectomy, but only on the affected breast.
The surgery is pretty drastic and some people have recurring problems with range of motion and lymph edema or nerve damage.
I will be getting tested soon for the breast cancer gene and will see what the future brings. I feel it is important for my other siblings and nieces and nephews, to know if the gene runs in the family so they can all be proactive in making decisions on what is best for them individually.
2007-10-18 13:50:25 · answer #4 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter did the same thing but guess what they augmented muscle off of her butt and gave her two new breasts.. They look wonderful and her pain was not that bad. The cut her under her breasts and peeled them up and removed the breasts and replaced them with the Butt muscles and stitched under where you can see the scars and she told us that when they had healed her nipples were sensuous.. Good luck and God bless Grant M in Pennsylvania
2007-10-18 13:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have both done but know that ins may/may not pay for removal of both or reconstruction of both. Also know that you can still have a relapse of your breast cancer with both removed.
2007-10-19 07:26:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
tomorrow I'm having my breast taken off as I found out this past month that I had breast cancer. more and more women are taking it off as when you don't many women have gotton it back in the same breast and lost their life.
2007-10-18 11:57:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋