Optional double mastectomy over single. What helped you to decide?

I decided to have both breasts removed only because I have Lobular breast cancer. It's sneaky, hides from mammogram, ultrasounds and even MRI's., also shows a 10X chance of showing moving to other breast.

I was recommended to have a simple mastectomy based on the tumor size/location. After speaking with the oncology surgeon - and my plastic surgeon - I opted for the bilateral with immediate reconstruction. I know there's a chance that it can always come back, but this made me feel more secure in that I was doing everything I could to minimize my odds of recurrence. I wound up being BRCA negative so it's not genetic, but my mom had it twice (once on each side) and both were different types. I am very comfortable with my decision and have no regrets.

I wish you a speedy recovery whichever route you choose.

It was simple for me. I never wanted to go through the diagnosis process again, and not have the fear every six months of worrying will this mammo be bad? I also asked what was the quickest way to get away from the medical system. The more I am involved the sicker I get. I have weird reactions to medicine. Double mastectomy was the quickest way to be done. After surgery I had a 3% chance of recurrence, no chemo, no radiation, and no pills. It was my perfect outcome. I opted for reconstruction and having had breast surgery prior I knew there would be very little chance of matching a 56 year old breast to a reconstructed one. Opted to just reconstruct both. Prior to surgery I could not imagine not having breasts. Now I think I could have lived without reconstruction.

Wow thank you so much . May I ask what type and stage cancer you had?

I often wonder how it could come back when you have had mastectomy. Did they ever say how they would catch it considering there would be nothing to biopsy?

I only had it on my left side but because breast cancer runs in my family I chose to do double mastectomy. I'd rather take both instead of the chance of having to go back in the future to get the other removed. Both is the best option but follow your heart.

I see my oncologist next week and that's part of my question for her. I'm almost a year from the mastectomy so I think there should be some sort of blood work/scan/etc but haven't been sent for anything yet. I know I'm supposed to continue to do the self exams (that's very weird with the implants) and I see the oncology surgeon for a follow up in August.

I had stage 1 BC 0.7 mm tumor found in a routine mammogram. ER/PR+ HER2 negative. I have the BRCA2 mutation so I opted for a double mastectomy hoping to be one and done. No reconstruction and no regrets. I also have the CHEK2 mutation but didn’t know that at the time. Most of the time I just go flat when running errands or around the house and neighborhood just for comfort. When I’m going out with friends to socialize, I usually wear my prostheses to make my clothes fit nicer. When I made my decision, I was 54, divorced and my dogs had no opinion. Best of luck with your decision and journey. You’re going to be okay.

Thank you so much . Also for making me laugh about your fur babies not having not having an opinion. 😊 the more I read all these comments the more I am starting to want to be one and done depending on what surgeon says .

@prc3 again you have a legal right to symmetry. You can tell the surgeon you want a double mastectomy. If the surgeon has health concerns for you, you can have them done separately.