Preventive surgery

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that you've just discovered that you are BRCA2 positive. Although I haven't been in your position I can understand why you'd find this overwhelming.

Could I suggest that you might want to join in with this thread that was started a month ago. The women in the thread might not be in exactly the same position as you but they will understand what you're going through.

x

Hi Elsie3

I always seem to start these replies with the same, how sorry I am to hear that another young woman is having to make these difficult decisions and although you had a high chance of having a positive result, it is still very upsetting to hear the news! 

Unfortunately I was diagnosed twice with Breast Cancer aged 34/35 before I found out I was BRCA1.  After receiving the news I decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction and oophorectomy! 

It is not an easy decision to decide whether to have preventative surgery or not and it is all down to personal choice! And you will probably change your mind a million times but the one thing I have said to other women in your situation is that if I could go back in time to prevent myself having breast cancer I wouldn’t hesitate to have surgery! 

You are very young aged 27 to be having to make this decision but what they can now do with surgery is amazing! I mean who would of thought I would have my boobs made from my tummy fat! Some women pay a fortune for a boob job, mine was courtesy of the NHS! 

I love my new boobs, I have just had nipple reconstruction and am waiting for nipple tattooing, once completed I don’t actually think anybody would be able to tell! One other bonus is that I can go bra free!! 

My advice is to speak to your doctor/surgeon and get all the facts and surgery options! Write your questions down before you go and remember no question is a silly question! 

You mention freezing your eggs, this is an option I wish I had thought longer about! Unfortunately my cancer diagnosis and treatment plan made it unlikely I could have children which is why I opted for full ovary removal. I would still remove my ovaries but I would of spent more time seeing if I could freeze my eggs so do think seriously about your future family plans as you want no regrets! 

I am happy for you to send me a friend request if you have any further questions! 

I wish you all the luck with your decision and although it is a difficult road you will know what is best for you! 

Xx 

Hi Latchbrook,

Thank you for your reply and also for suggesting the other thread-still trying to navigate my way around the website Thank you again. 

Hi Shellb,

Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing what you have been through. It was really reassuring to hear your story about the surgery and just how well it had gone, although I am sorry you had to go through it in the first place and still at a young age. 

I have been researching the reconstruction surgery process and it really is amazing what they can do! Do you mind me asking how long your recovery took after the surgery? 

I definitely need to research a lot more into the process of freezing my eggs etc. My partner and I are not ready for children so if this is an option I am keen to look into it. 

Thank you again, your response made me feel a bit more positive

xxx