Newly diagnosed invasive ductal and lobular in right breast

So very true. I have a strong faith and I keep praying that the answer will become clear in time. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Good luck with everything. The waiting and the anxiety that goes along with it is the worst.

Maybe I miss wrote - following the masectomy I will have a 3% risk. If I don't do anything my risk is 35% and that risk could elevate if the BRIP mutation proves to be a variant that drives BC development. Of the choices presented I have chosen prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.

Thanks for sharing - wow...sounds like you were put through the ringers! I am happy you are well; and also here to complain about it!

Because my lumpectomy evidenced pre-cancer, and not cancer, I was given choices regarding preventative treatment (chemoprevention - low level tamoxifen for 5-10 years OR annual high risk surviellence = MRI and Mammo OR prophylactic bilateral mastectomy). But you never know...at excision and pathology they may find early cancer in either breast. I like to be proactive and gather a lot of information before I have to make a decision. I find making these decisions exhausting; second only to waiting for any diagnosis! My original diagnosis was April 2. Much of my spare time has been used exploring treatments and reading research articles. I think I joined this group only a couple weeks ago; I was hoping to understand what the process has been like for others in order to prepare myself for any eventuality. Grateful for everyone who is willing to share. I don't believe there is a right or wrong decision for anyone - or any right or wrong treatment. We all have to do what we believe to be best for our future. If I were younger (I am 63 soon to be 64) I probably would have gone with another preventative option; but I can't say for sure. What was appealing to me about a bilateral mastectomy was not having to wait for results from biannual diagnostics - or the possibility of multiple lumpectomies or surgery - or a more advanced diagnosis. Also recovery is quicker ...so long as a more advanced form of cancer is not found. Time will tell - thanks again for sharing!

Whatever you decide (lumpectomy or mastectomy) you'll get a new diagnosis following pathology from your tissues. I get it...it's hard to make a decision when when one report says this and another that. For my BRIP mutation three research articles say suspect variant one says verified variant for BC; it all depends on data the research group amassed. While most suspect variants are disproven (90 + %) I have sense that BRIP will eventually be deemed driving some mechanism of BC. But also, how do you make a decision when one day you have this diagnosis and the next day/path report says you have that - or another in addition! Seems this is the process that most of us have historically faced.

When I asked myself what is my biggest fear about my diagnosis - and what do I want to avoid (aka how do I want to live the rest of my life), I gained some clarity. I hope you gain some too - good luck making your decision!

Thank you. I hope so too!

I think I just misunderstood. Thanks for the clarification.

I am glad you have made a decision. Sometimes just getting the plan in order helps me to feel like I am moving forward. This is such an anxiety producing time for a lot of us.
I know it is a hurry up and wait time too. Do you have surgery scheduled yet?

Yes, July 9th. I scheduled it as soon as possible, because I work in academia and I hope to not miss the start of the fall semester. Knock on wood I don't need any further treatment plan. Thanks for the hug!

I feel like reason for removal of a heathy breast is that it helps with anxiety for some. You are already looking at scars and or reconstructive surgery. If you leave one you still have higher chance of recurrence. No right answers and such a personal choice. For me if I take one breast I am taking Both.