Breast surgeon recommendations in London

Hi GandTgirl,

I just joined today, and am going through what you are, though have not yet tested positive for the gene. My mother had breast cancer at 48 and passed away at 58, my sister was just diagnosed about two weeks ago and is 46 with two small kids...I am 45 and have a 6 year old and am going to have a mastectomy, and I too would like to get it done as soon as I can...I have an appointment tomorrow with Fiona Macneil on Harley Street, I found her through a search of surgeons that were related to the Royal Marsden, which is where my sister is being treated. I have also received a referral to Royal Marsden private care center...I would like to get the gene test done, for my sake and my child's, but I am certain about what I would like to do, with or without the gene test, it's just too much of it in my family...I can let you know how my appointment goes tomorrow if you like? Hope you are well, Xx

Hi yellowy, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum and sister. It's must be such a worry for you. It would be amazing if you could let me know how it goes. Thanks so much. I do hope tomorrow goes well. xx

Hi GandT Girl

I like your user name. A girl after my own heart....

Welcome to the group although I'm sorry you need to be here. I'm in a slightly different boat to you - battling a recurrent BRCA1 related gynae cancer. So I don't have any surgeon recommendations as I've decided at my age (53) and with a body pumped full of cytotoxic drugs, breast surgery is not my priority. 

However, I know some people who might have more info. Have you joined BRCA Umbrella? It's a suport group run by the lovely Caroline Presho. You might find more people with experience there. 

Good luck! 

Xx

Thanks daloni, I've just signed up with the BRCA umbrella. I'm waiting to be accepted. 

Thanks for your advice xx 

Hi GandTgirl,

I went to my first consultation with a surgeon last Thursday...she was not right for me...I have two more next week, and will get my gene testing on Tuesday...hope you are well! I will keep you posted...

Hi

Really sorry to hear about your news. I find your desire to get this sorted reasonable.

I had a bilateral mastectomy (skin and nipple sparing) 5 weeks today and I will confidently recommend my surgeon if you can manage get the referral at Guys Hospital.

http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/consultant-profiles/plastic-surgery/hisham-hamed.aspx

Mr Hamed is not only a very experinced surgeon but also a special human being. Mr Hamed will take the time to listen to you, will explain in detail the options and will empower you to make the right choice for you individual case. I personally met other surgeons at Guys Breast Clinic and I trusted Mr Hamed from the beginning and was very pleased with my choice. I felt fully contained by Mr Hamed and highly encouraged and reassured after each appointment. My family members who always attended appointments with me agreed with me in all of the above.

The surgery went well with no complications and the follow up was also good.

I hope this helps and if you end up meeting Mr Hamed and planning the surgery further please get in touch if you want some more details.

Best of luck.

Nicole

Hi Nicole, 

Thank you for the recommendation...did you go private or NHS? I am going private, as to move the process along a bit quicker...my GP was not willing to refer me to a genetic counsellor at this point, so was not much help to me, even though it runs in my family...

I go tomorrow for gene test, and have two more consultations at the end of the week...It's nice to know other people are going through this or have gone through...some people find it hard to understand the fear...

Glad you are well, and I would love to be able to ask more questions later on, if need be...

Marisa

Thanks so much for this Nicole

I have an appointment at the Breast clinic at Guys on Friday although I don't think it's necessarily the right service to look at preventative surgery. I hope they can refer me on. 

If it's ok, I'll message you with  Some questions. 

So glad all has gone well for you xx

Hi GandT Girl

I hope your consultation at Guys goes well. Have you had a chance to have a chat with a genetics counsellor? My understanding was that in order to go ahead with a preventive mastectomy, they insist that you talk to a counsellor. It is possible that I am wrong. Did you have your genetic testing done at Guy's? I had mine there and after I had the positive result, I was invited to a day service where I had a chance to talk about the result, the implications, my options and to talk to a psychologist too. It was a great service. Have you been able to attend something like this? If not and if you think you would benefit, I am in contact with their genetic counselling consultant and she has said she is happy for me to refer people on to her. Just let me know. 

And yellowy....I have been thinking about you a lot. I am struggling to remove my size 8 boots and instead put on some angel's slippers. I understand your reaction to push forward with preventive surgery in the absence of a BRCA test but it troubles me. This is major surgery with its own risks. For younger women with a BRCA mutation, the risks of the operation are smaller than the risks of cancer. For someone like me, aged 53, the risks of breast cancer from my BRCA mutation are falling and now running at 1-2% a year - near normal so the relative risks change. If there is no BRCA mutation, then the relative risks are different again. I am not trying to dissuade you from having a preventive mastectomy but can I persuade you to talk to someone knowledgeable to make sure you are making the right decision? This is life changing stuff.  Breast Cancer Care has a very knowledgeable nurse who you can talk to on their helpline. 

There. I have said it. I do hope I have not offended you. 

Love to all

xxx

Hi,

Thanks, Daloni, for your concern...

Breast cancer runs in my family, whether I have the gene or not, it is irrelevant to me at this point, though I did just get the test done yesterday, and will get the results in 3/4 weeks...

I am 45, I have a 6 year old son, whom I want to be here for to see him age and grow and experience life...I have thought about this for years, and I would prefer to not have my breasts anymore...they cause me too much stress, I have been getting mammograms every year since my mom died starting at 30, I have already had one biopsy scare, I am done...and ready...I don't understand why people can't understand why someone would want to do this? If I wanted to get a breast enlargement, would I get the same reaction? Send me to a therapist because they think I am crazy for wanting larger boobs? I doubt it...

If this surgery buys me extra years with my son, and less worry about getting breast cancer, as I know there is still a 1% chance I could get it even with the surgery, I will take it! I know no one knows how we will end up leaving this earth, but I have seen enough close family members go through this now, that I don't want to risk it for myself...you the breast surgery major, yes, well, all surgery is major...but if I had breast cancer and was having the surgery, it would be even more major, as then they would be taking lymph nodes, muscle perhaps and all that goes with it, plus I have the risk of metastasis...why would I wait for that when I could prevent it? And going through chemo, radiation etc...no thank you...

I know you don't know me, but I have gone through a lot and seen a lot, and I know this is the right and best choice for me and my family, period.

Thank you,

M