I had breast cancer 13 years ago in my left breast (DCIS) and I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy plus Tamoxifen. Then in October 2024 I discovered a lump in my right breast and it was confirmed as Invasive cancer and I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy. There was quite a wait for results due to the festive break and in January I was given the news that the lymph node was clear (which was a relief) bur mart the bad news was that they hadn't achieved 'clear margins' and I needed another op to take away more tissue. Again quite a wait for results and again there were no 'clear margins' so options are to have a further a further excision but with no guarantees of clear margins (so not an option really) but recommended a mastectomy. Options for mastectomy are 'go flat' or mastectomy with immediate silicone implant for reconstruction. I wasn't expecting this news so I felt like I had been hit by a truck! I couldn't make an instant decision so I asked them to provide me with literature and leaflets and websites I could read and research in order to make an informed choice. I am now 69 years old due to be 70 this year and want to make the right choice for me. I became very emotional after reading the literature and watching some very brave women in videos baring the results of their ops. I couldn't sleep for thinking about it - I was not in a good place so took a few weeks to think things over. My immediate reaction was to try and preserve my body shape as I was concerned I would feel less of a women if I was left flat even though I could have a prosthesis. I then approached the decision by weighing up the risks and was advised that 35% of cases reject the silicone implant requiring further ops, infection is not uncommon and cannot be cured with antibiotics and often reconstruction using silicone implant can involve several ops down the line, I started Letrozole last week and have been told that as I will have a mastectomy I will not need chemotherapy (which was a relief) but tomorrow I have an appointment with the surgeon and need to have my decision made whether I go flat or reconstruct. Is anyone on this forum who has had a flat or reconstructed mastectomy able to give me their perspective on how they feel mentally about themselves and whether it has affected aspects of their life - my immediate thoughts were I might feel less feminine and about clothing and swimming and wearing summer t shirts etc. The positive of going flat seemed to be less risk of further ops re the silicone implant and perhaps less risk of infection. Any advice out there is welcome.
Hi Labradorlady this much be such a difficult, and emotional, decision. I realise you have read a lot of this, but I just wanted to let you know that the wonderful folks here at Macmillan are at the end of the phone if you want to chat anything through. The number is 0800 808 0000. Best wishes
Hello Labradorlady, I have not had a mastectomy yet but I will soon be facing a similar decision as you. I am 60, and an active social swimmer. Whilst I cannot imagine life flat ( it’s my fave dress up clothes that make me feel the saddest) that is outweighed by my desire to control my own health and destiny wherever I can. For me I don’t think I would feel the same with a reconstruct anyway, but more importantly I want my health back so I will choose the safest route which I think is the flat option. I think it will be a big challenge mentally but, for me, the thought that it is for the greater good health wise will help me cope.
Whichever decision you make I wish you good luck, good health and strength.
I had a double mastectomy on 9th Dec. One breast was perfectly healthy but being big busted I didn’t want to be lopsided. I love my new shape. I don’t look matronly any more. I go Swimming wearing A cup knitted knockers and being winter I haven’t needed to wear a bra at all. I will have to decide what to wear with summer dresses soon but I don’t see that as much of a problem. My cleavage was probably getting past its best anyway but the mastectomy seems to have smoothed out the wrinkles which were starting to appear on my upper chest. I am very pleased with my decision especially since I won’t need any further surgery as it all went well.
Thank you for your viewpoint and Good luck with your op. I will b going flat and then on the list for future reconstruction. My BMI is 35 - had it been 30 they may have done the immediate silicone implant but I came to a similar conclusion to yours, I want to get on with life and not keep going in hospital for more ops/ treatment so fingers crossed all goes well and I mentally adjust to it.
I had breast cancer 9 years ago. Last year it returned in the same place. I am 74. I had to have a mastectomy because you can't have radiotherapy in the same place twice. Also I had to have 12 weekly sessions of chemotherapy which has left me very weak. But I am exercising and gradually gaining strength. I am having 3 weekly injections of Herceptin for a year.
To be honest I would have had a double mastectomy if it had been offered. It doesn't bother me that I am flat. I don't bother wearing a prosthesis if I am not going out. My sister also had a mastectomy. She is 78 and a keen swimmer, and it doesn't bother her her either, though it did to begin with. Most people don't notice! But we are older than you, and we are both married. Our husbands are very supportive. It's a big decision, but take your time and get lots of advice. Best wishes! xxx
Hello,
I was given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy. I was borderline for a lumpectomy - I didn’t like the word borderline so took the mastectomy option.
I am 36.
While I had a mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction - the reconstruction failed. I had 3 ops in 10 days.
I have no had no choice but to go flat. I thought this was going to affect me drastically but it hasn’t.
As long as I am here for my daughter - I’m not bothered!
Since all of this, I have been fitted for a prosthetic breast which sits in my bra which I can also swim with. Not tried it yet as still awaiting my scars to heal a bit more.
I have only got the prosthetic breast for summer in case I wear dresses or just tops on their own.
Like someone else has mentioned, I haven’t really worn a bra because it’s been winter and worn baggy tops/hoodies.
I have since also had a meeting with my plastic surgeon who has offered further surgery if I would like but I have currently declined. This wouldn’t be for another 6-12 months anyway as my body still requires rest and to recover. (I had 6 months of intense chemo prior to surgery)
I have decided I would like to try and get my life back to some normality as I have been off work since May 2024.
Good luck with your decision xx
Thank you for responding. Sounds as though I am fortunate in some respects as they say I will not have chemo or radiotherapy. Decision is I will b going flat because of my BMI but I am now ok with that, I am sure I will have some major challenges ahead but hopefully I can get on with life, wishing you and your sister good health in the future.
Sorry to hear you are one of the 35% where the body rejects the implant - this was one of my fears. You are so young to be going through this too. I am scheduled to go flat in April and I'm hoping I can adjust to being like that and get on with my life like so many others. I hope you make a full return to good health and back to work as when I first had cancer 13 years ago, working got me through it and kept me sane
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