Considerable difference in breast size following breast cancer treatment

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When I was 47yrs old was diagnosed with breast cancer and following chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy I was left with a significant difference in the size of my breasts.  I asked if I could get my healthy breast reduced to match the size of my breast that had undergone surgery.  I was refused due to my weight, despite dropping 5 stone during chemotherapy. I was given a prosthetic to insert in my bra, but it has since deteriorated and causing a skin reaction. Even when wearing it I was extremely self conscious of the difference in breast size that I wear bulky sweaters to try to hide my breasts 
unfortunately I also had severe peripheral neuropathy as a result of the chemotherapy, which left me initially unable to stand or walk.  5 years on I now walk with the aid of crutches. Swimming was the only physical activity I felt I could do but due to the difference in size and movement of my breasts, even when wearing the prosthetic, swimming was not an option as it made my paranoia of people noticing the differences in my breasts. 
i came on Macmillan forum about 2 years ago seeking help as I feel no one in my social circle understands how significantly the difference in my breasts has effected my life. if I was a young woman they would be more understanding, but not of a single 47 yr old woman.  On reading the forum on the subject I got upset discovering that other breast cancer patients had been offered corrective surgery on nhs. But people here were very supportive and urged me to speak again to my doctor  

as I needed a new prosthetic, I felt I had a valid reason to speak to a gp  I told the doctor my dilemma and was initially told that nhs don’t provide prosthetics and that I was again overweight to be  considered for any surgery  however she did refer me to the breast surgery team  

I finally got my appointment in august last year with the breast surgery team and they gave me good news - they arranged an appointment for a new prosthetic at the end of January  plus on examination they said due to the considerable difference in size in my breasts due to cancer treatment, that I qualified for corrective surgery despite being overweight. I was delighted! They told me I would be referred quickly to the plastic surgeon,  however there is about a 2 year waiting list for surgery. I was prepared to wait that length of time and continue to lose weight for the surgery.

however, this afternoon I received a letter from the nhs telling me I don’t meet the criteria for a consultation with a plastic surgeon, and to speak to my go if I have any questions.   I am absolutely devastated, especially as my anxiety about my breasts has resulted in me having panic attacks when I am invited  any social event, even with immediate family members, where I can’t hide my body under layers of chunky sweaters. More and more I am finding I no longer want to leave my house    As for speaking to my go  - I feel it is like speaking to a brick wall  they are unsympathetic as my bmi is not perfect  plus I feel they have similar attitude that a woman in her early 50s shouldn’t be concerned about the size of her breasts  I just don’t understand why my breast surgery team would tell me I qualified to get the corrective surgery done then for a plastic surgery tell to tell me I don’t  why give me false hope? 

when I got diagnosed with breast cancer I thought  I’d be back at work after 3 -6months, and life would return to normal. Instead it has left me physically disabled and with deteriorating mental health to the extent I feel like giving up completely  

  • Sorry you find yourself in this situation.  Can you speak to your breast cancer team.  I would send a letter in response to your letter saying your GP referred you to your Breast cancer team and they stated you qualified due to substantial difference following cancer treatment.  Good luck xx

  • Hi   sorry you’re having to go through all this, it really is unfair that different parts of the country get offered different things. I raised this issue a month ago as I also have quite a difference but I haven’t finished my treatment yet. I was advised to raise this with PALS if the surgery was rejected, apparently they are really helpful and fight for the patient. 

    it’s definitely worth a try. Fingers crossed they can help you xx

  • Hi, sorry to read your story. This sounds so very upsetting and difficult. I wondered if you've had a chat with the lovely people at Macmillan. The support team might be able to give you some help and advice. Here's a link to the contact details as you can call, chat online or email, depending on what you prefer Macmillan Support Info

    best wishes

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  • Hi silhouette

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 50, I had six rounds of chemotherapy a lumpectomy, radiotherapy then 14 rounds of Kadcyla. 

    I knew I had to wait about a year after radiotherapy to see what my breast would eventually look like. I seen my surgeon a year after and she told me everything looked OK and there was no sign of cancer on my mammogram.  I was really glad and grateful that surgery and chemo had worked but I still came out crying as she didn't seem to be concerned or sympathetic when I told her about my concerns that my operated on breast was 2 Cup sizes smaller and a totally different shape and I find it hard to wear a bra because it keeps pulling to the side of my good breast. 

    When I went back to see her six months later and told her my concerns again she told me that she don't  think there can be much done.  She has put me down for her oncoplast surgery but she only dose them twice a year and doesn't know when the next one will be , so I am now 52 cancer free but can't move on because of the constant reminder.

    I really empathise with you but you are not alone.

    carolyn.