I had my breast cancer treatment locally, my husband had his cancer care initially at Mayo. If I had it all to do over again, I would attempt to be seen at Mayo, then after the initial care you might be able to continue with a local oncologist.
Have you already had a biopsy? Is there a chance that there is something crazy aggressive in your cancer driving your surgeons comments?

Hi @meeshodge. I am sorry you’re going through this.

In my own situation, the extensive round of testing showed early cancer only in my left breast. It was small but aggressive. Nothing was initially found in my right breast with MRI, mammogram, ultrasound, etc.

I still chose to do a bilateral mastectomy because research showed there was a strong chance that cancer could eventually present in the right breast. Not an easy decision to do the bilateral, but due to the aggressive type of breast cancer presenting in the left breast, I didn’t want to roll the dice with future cancer.

When I had my bilateral mastectomy, atypical cells were found in my right breast, and these were not detectable in the MRI, mammogram or ultrasound!

So I knew I had made the right choice - given that my goal was to not have more cancer.

I was fortunate to be at a nationally certified breast center hospital - with every member of the team being fellowship trained in breast cancer specifically.

I had a nipple-sparing bilateral mastectomy and got tissue expanders. I will have implants in a couple of months.

To me, the most important thing is that my chances of dealing with breast cancer again are remarkably low. Not zero. But low.

I know not everyone qualifies for a nipple sparing mastectomy and not all surgeons are trained to do it. I’m pleased with my results.

But I know so many friends with bilateral mastectomies who are very pleased with their nipple tattoos.

Hope this perspective helps.

Good luck.

Hello 🌠

Perhaps you consider requesting a stay at Hope Lodge on the campus of Mayo Jacksonville?

It is EXCELLENT + really helps patients who live a distance away.

The Hope Lodge is an amazing program of the American Cancer Society + this fine organization is another valuable resource for breast cancer patients.

The referral to the Hope Lodge on the Mayo Jacksonville site is made after a patients medical appointments for cancer are scheduled.

I hope this helps 😇🙏💖

I went to JAX clinic. I live in Austin, TX, so we flew.

@lissawest, if you would like to seek a second opinion with Mayo Clinic breast cancer experts, you can self-refer. Start your request here:
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
How are you doing?