Mastectomy or breast conserving surgery? TNBC

Not very via NHS. 

I asked for double and they refused as I do not have the gene. They said they only do one on NHS is not got the gene. 

It may be different for you if in a diff part of the UK but ♀️ who knows!

Good luck xx

I understand it’s only normally offered if you are found to have gene defects. A wide local excision plus radiotherapy is clinically proven to be as effective in preventing recurrence as a mastectomy. The NHS won’t normally remove the other breast if healthy and no gene defects as breast cancer doesn’t typically spread from one breast to the other (of course you can get cancer independently in the other breast, hence why they will do a double mastectomy if you have gene defects). 

That makes sense. I'm still awaiting those results - so we'll see. I think I'm just terrified of it potentially coming back in a few years to the other breast, given the higher chance of recurrence

Yes they told me they don’t remove a healthy breast only if you are particularly anxious they will consider it. Generally the chance of you getting it in the other breast is no higher than someone on the street who’s never had breast cancer by friend was told by her oncologist. 

I have the gene so will be having my other one removed but they would not remove it before I had my gene test results. 

Hi ! I wanted a double mastectomy for my TNBC . I was consistent from the start and this helped when the surgeon decided I could (NHS) . Also the magic word was symmetry. 
I did not want one large heavy breast ! Apparently it isn’t just cost ,two surgeons - one each side . It’s also that they think that you will regret it ! I can promise you I am very happy with my flat chest and the thin white line of my scar .i didn’t opt for reconstruction either - when I want to I wear a barely there padded crop top if I think it makes a dress or top hand better ! Good luck with everything !

Did you manage to have that even though the other breast was healthy? Did they make you wait for the results of genetic testing? 

It makes so much sense to me to just get rid of them both and they'll be sure to have gotten it all. They have literally served their purpose and I don't want to live in fear of the the other one developing breast cancer down the line.

No gene testing ,just tested to see if I could have immunotherapy as well as the chemo . Fortunately I did have receptors for immuno . They won’t do it for fear of recurrence in the other breast . I got what I wanted by being very clear about symmetry! I hated the idea of managing just one breast that was large and heading south . It is so easy being flat ,I feel tidy and neat !

Hi, my daughter was told by her oncologist that there was no benefit to having a mastectomy (which was her preference) as there would still be some breast tissue remaining which could become cancerous. She was diagnosed in April, not got the gene, had chemotherapy and immunotherapy until November and lumpectomy booked for 2nd January. Good luck on this horrendous journey.