Hi I'm BRCA2 positive and need to decide whether to go ahead with double masectomy and reconstructive surgery... I don't know anybody who has had this done, how on earth do you decide?
Hard decision…. But I’m hearing of more and more people who are faced with this decision. If it was me I think I just get it done! Cancer is one ugly beast! Good luck with your decision!
It's a very hard decision indeed and one that only you have the answer to. I have a BRCA1 mutation and am faced with the same decision. Somehow for me, when I look at the stats, a double mastectomy seems like a no brainer. I have recently had breast cancer that was very aggressive and the thought of that happening again and not being so lucky to catch it in time makes my decision a bit easier. It's a dramatic surgery but I would rather have a mastectomy to prevent anything happening rather than looking over my shoulder all the time wondering if each scan will bring bad news. If that happened, I know in an instant I would regret not having a mastectomy to prevent it. Have you had breast cancer previously?
I am BRACA 2. I have just had a double mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. I had opted for annual surveillance and stage 1 triple negative cancer was picked up. I have to have chemo. I could have had risk reducing surgery but didn't . The what if's are there in my mind. I had my ovaries removed which was more straightforward. There are no right and wrongs. All the best in your decision making.
Hi, I've not had breast cancer but I have had bowel cancer and ovarian cancer, my ovarian cancer was aggressive but thankfully found early (more details are on my profile). I am leaning towards a double mastectomy but in the back of mind thinking surely I can't get another cancer... I do know that life doesn't always work out like that though! I hope everything is going well for you.
Hi Ricki, I hope you are recovering well. Mine is a bit of an unusual journey which I've given more detail on my profile. I can't be considered for breast surgery just yet as I've recently finished chemo for ovarian cancer. Having had chemo so will be on surveillance for now. I see the surgeon in Jan 2023. Actual chemo wasn't too bad but the impact on my life was hard (I live alone and it was a bit like covid isolation again), so I am trying to weigh up the emotional and physical impact of mastectomy/ reconstruction against my experience of chemo, while also thinking I might not get breast cancer anyway. In three and a half years I've had cancer twice and found out I'm BRCA2 positive and although I'm coping well I think having to make a decision is just a bit much for my brain! Thank you for your take on this.
