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Treatment Decisions

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Choosing a Mastectomy

First post and replies | Last post by Gwoodhood, 8 months ago

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I was blessed with a choice. I chose the mastectomy for a few key reasons: 1. I had a family history of cancer even though there was not genetic test that confirmed the gene. 2. I learned if you have a lumpectomy and radiation and later develop a breast cancer, it is difficult to do a mastectomy with reconstruction. I did not want to have this cloud hanging over me. Worrying if my next screening would surface something horrifying. I took the guesswork out and I'm so glad that I did! I also kept my breast in very similar condition (same size, ni...

By Gwoodhood 8 months ago

I had my hysterectomy at the same time as my double mastectomy

First post and replies | Last post by Thriving7, 9 months ago

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My oncologist and gynecologist both told me that eventually had to have hysterectomy because I was BRAC2 and had triple negative. After doing some research I decided to have both procedures at the same time. This required my oncologist, breast surgeon, and oncologist all agreeing as well as aligning all of their schedules. This took me advocating and coordination, in the end they all agreed and made it happen. My recovery time was a litte longer, however I did not have two major surgeries within 6 months to a year of one another. This was ...

By Thriving7 9 months ago

Choosing a lumpectomy over a double mastectomy

First post and replies | Last post by YoliV5590, 9 months ago

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The 1st time I was diagnosed (DCIS), I remember the doctor saying we could do a lumpectomy to save the breast or to do a precautionary double mastectomy. The first thing I said was "Of course I want to save my breasts! I still want to feel like a woman". Meanwhile, my husband was scared to death of all that was happening and felt the mastectomy would be best for precaution. We argued about this and I would yell how much he'd never understand what it felt as a woman to lose something so personal to her. I went thru the lumpectomy, radiation etc ...

By YoliV5590 9 months ago

Did the testing

First post and replies | Last post by naan05, 9 months ago

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My surgeon had recommended that I get genetic testing done. My genetic test came back negative. Since the results were negative, I opted for a single mastectomy instead of double mastectomy. I made this decision after talking to my surgeon and oncologist in depth.

By naan05 9 months ago

I did the testing

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 10 months ago

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I had lobular breast cancer so I opted to do genetic testing mostly to see if I had the CDH1 gene mutation, which increases your risk of lobular breast cancer and gastric cancer. I wanted to know how worried to be about gastric cancer. Luckily I didn't have the CDH1 mutation or any others, which gave my family a little peace of mind. It took a few weeks to get the results. I am pretty sure that the test was covered--there was a way to do it through Utah but I'll have to update this when I find those details.

By janedoe7 10 months ago

Do genetic testing!

First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 10 months ago

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I totally recommend genetic testing. My brother had renal cell cancer and my sister was diagnosed with HER2+ cancer (same as me). We all did genetic testing but nothing came back positive for any of us regarding genetics. Our cancers could have been environmental or related to a gene that hasn't yet been discovered. However, knowing that we don't have the BRCA gene or others gives our family and children comfort that we were negative when tested for it.

By Iamasurvi... 10 months ago

I went with the lumpectomy

First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 10 months ago

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I was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer and ER+/PR+ plus I had some DCIS tissue behind the tumor. My doctor gave me the choice of mastectomy or lumpectomy but told me the outcome of success of treatment would be the same so I went with the lumpectomy which allowed me to keep my own breast tissue. Also...silver lining....I was able to get a breast reduction (bilateral) and breast lift all covered by insurance as part of the lumpectomy surgery. Because I wanted the breast reduction I was able to tell my surgeon to take really wide margins whe...

By Iamasurvi... 10 months ago

First post and replies | Last post by momoftwo, 10 months ago

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Hi, I did genetic testing because my father had prostate cancer and we were told there may be a genetic link between prostate cancer and breast cancer. If I was BRCA positive, I would have opted for a hysterectomy. Thankfully, I was BRCA negative.

By momoftwo 10 months ago

Implants vs tissue flap reconstruction

First post and replies | Last post by momoftwo, 10 months ago

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Hi, I had the option for reconstruction using silicone implants or my own tissue. I opted for silicone implants. While the idea of a tummy tuck sounded nice, I was told that if I fluctuated in weight, the fat removed from my stomach might develop in other areas of my body. I didn't want to deal with that. I have had my implants for 11 years now, and they are still soft and comfortable.

By momoftwo 10 months ago

Glad I had a lumpectomy

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 10 months ago

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I was given a choice, and I'm glad I went with the lumpectomy. It was such an easy surgery, and I was up and around the next day. You really can't even tell I had surgery on that breast. I was torn because I'd prepared myself for a mastectomy, their original recommendation. But after more tests, they decided I could go either way. My breast surgeon said that if I were her sister, she'd tell me to go with the lumpectomy. I met with a plastic surgeon who said if it were his wife, he'd tell her to get a mastectomy. I am not much of a worrie...

By janedoe7 10 months ago

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