Genetic screening backlog and mastectomy decision

Hi 

Just some thoughts from my experience. 

A mastectomy is a bigger operation than a lumpectomy , even without reconstruction (you haven’t mentioned this, not sure if there is something you would want?) and usually needs an overnight stay , so it may not be possible for you to have a different operation on your given date ? 

if you don’t have a mastectomy but your genetics is positive , you will be then in a different treatment pathway, so would likely be offered a bilateral mastectomy as part of that process.

if your genetics comes back negative , you will be in your same pathway. My mum had breast cancer, her sister died from it and I also had it- no genetic link but my oncologist has said there probably is, but not one they know about yet , so the answer was No in terms of the different pathway and any preventative surgery. 

I would definitely chase up your BCN , but also contact your surgeons secretary and explain the situation to them. I have had to do this several times over the years (my journey has been a bit of a roller coaster) and always found them helpful. I had a similar situation to you , no clear margins , and had two further ops and still no clear margins so had to have a mastectomy anyway , so maybe also worth asking at what point your surgeon  would advise mastectomy? 

I would just concentrate on what you do know dor now , and not what might be ?

Hope this has helped a bit ?

Jo x

Thank you so much Jo, your reply has been very informative. I couldn’t find my way to reply to you before now as I’m still learning my way around this site. I now have a telephone appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday to discuss my issues but I’m a bit clearer in mind. Good luck with your journey. X