Archived Topics - bilateral mastectomy vs radiation

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bilateral mastectomy vs radiation

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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=1256
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Topic: bilateral mastectomy vs radiation

Posted By: Possum
Subject: bilateral mastectomy vs radiation
Date Posted: Jul 11 2008 at 1:35am

Hi All,
I would greatly appreciate advice from anyone has experience with this decision. I have had a lumpectomy and will finish my chemo next week. Due to the risk of developing another breast cancer (as distinct from relapsing with the current one, I've been asked to consider a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I've been tested for BRCA mutations and whilst I do not have a known disease causing mutation I have an 'unclassified' muation in BRCA1 (the mutation could mean nothing or could be disease causing - they don't know). My risk of a new primary is estimated at somewhere between a BRCA1+ women's and the general population (so not very precise estimates!).
I am 42 and my Dr's concern is that the elevated risk becomes reasonably large over a period of 10-20 years, although not as high as a try BRCA1 carrier.

Does anyone have any experience with this decision or any pearls of advice that can help?

Possum

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TN G3 Stage1,dx 22/02/08
SN bx (3 neg nodes)
Tx FEC100(3cycles),Taxotere(3cycles)
BRCA1 Unclassified Variant

Replies:

Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: Jul 11 2008 at 7:22am

hi Possum,

While I am not qualified to give any advice, my daughter Lori had said that her onc told someone (not her) that the women having lumpectomies are "returning" to him, and he would advise having mastectomies. For what it is worth, Lori and our family feel much more at peace with her decision for a mastectomy. Lori also had rads.

Nancy

Posted By: Possum
Date Posted: Jul 11 2008 at 5:58pm

Hi Nancy,
Thanks for that. When I was first diagnosed I would never imagined that I would be very seriously contemplating this, but months of chemo side-effects puts a different perspective on it.
I'm still gathering information but I would still love to hear from anyone else out there who has some experience with this. I can gather info from drs but women's experiences/views are valuable too.

Possum

-------------
TN G3 Stage1,dx 22/02/08
SN bx (3 neg nodes)
Tx FEC100(3cycles),Taxotere(3cycles)
BRCA1 Unclassified Variant