I am on my second time only on the other breast. I regret not doing the double mastectomy the first time around. This time i'm going to do it so I don't have to worry again. My reconstruction surgeon before he even examined me was criticizing me for having radiation the first go round and he told me it will make the reconstruction more difficult. However, after he examined me, he told me that my skin had healed in a good way. I totally understand you're consideration of the double mastectomy.

Hello. Please excuse my delay in responding. It is totally a personal choice. I felt validity in not completing the lumpectomy and doing radiation. I think it depends on the type of cancer, the size, and location. I did not want the worry down the line and made the choice for the double mastectomy. You have to be happy with your choice. However, I did discuss this with my spouse as well and he was in agreement that this was to improve my quality of health. My boss had breast cancer but she opted for the lumpectomy and radiation. She wanted to keep her breast but, she will continue to be on medication. I am not on any medication.

I had DCIS in 2003. Age 48. Sentinel nodes negative. Couldn’t get clean margins so L mastectomy. Had saline implant. By fluke had bilateral mammogram in April. 1 cm invasive DC - so despite the mastectomy I have breast cancer again in L breast. Oncotype score is 8. Having lumpectomy and removal of implant on July 10. The MRI tech had hard time getting imaging around the implant. I want to hear what radiation oncology has to offer. They can do what is called a frozen section during surgery where they send to pathology to check for clear margins. The MDs seem to be getting away from that option. The radiation techniques are improved these days Chat GPT is free. Was very helpful. Evidently the longer us DCIS patients live the better chance of recurrence. My understanding is that radiation is to kill off local cells that may be there. Hormone blockers are more systemic. These decisions are difficult, give yourself grace. My surgeon thinks I am crazy to get my implant removed. Trying to give myself best shot.