Mastectomies are not an option for those over 65???!!!

Posted by sandyjr @sandyjr, Jan 22, 2021

A friend of mine has had breast cancer twice...DCIS and IDC....both breasts....as I have. She told me that she had suggested mastectomy to her surgeon the second time and that doctor, her oncologist and her gynecologist told her that it is not done for ladies over 65. They do not do it. She is a young 75 and certainly could handle such surgery. I am 70 and last year I had a bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. The first surgeon I went to had no problem doing the surgery, but said that I was too old for diep reconstruction, I would have to get implants. I did not like that surgeon and would never have used her....she was rude and crude saying “another nipple in the bucket” over and over when discussing mastectomy. I was disgusted and angry. I did not know where to turn, so made an appointment with a plastic surgeon that had given a lecture on breast cancer reconstruction. Luckily I had attended the lecture and decided to make an appointment with him. He had shown pictures of women that had had surgery and reconstruction into their 80s. That was the best thing I ever did. After meeting me and hearing my story...two breast cancers and genetic mutation and horror appointment with the crude surgeon, he told me that I could not have nipple sparing surgery because of the radiation I had had, but that I could have the diep flap and he recommended a different surgeon. He has been the best thing that has happened to me since my breast cancer experience began. He is kind, totally explains everything, listens to everything you have to say and tells you what to expect. From the get go, he told me he could not make me look perfect, but he also said he does not take cases unless he knows he will be successful. This man truly has given me hope and my wish is that everyone be lucky enough to find a doctor like him. I am nearly through the process as it takes a while to complete and I am delighted with my new breasts. So, can someone tell me if/why mastectomies are not done for older ladies. That certainly was not the case for me. My suggestion is...do your research, decide what you want and do not go by what the first doctor tells you. I got 50% of what I wanted....no on the nipple sparing mastectomy (but I did have skin sparing), but yes on using my own tissue for reconstruction...no implants. I thought the surgery was remarkably easy...very little pain...getting back up to speed took about 3 weeks (its a 10 hour surgery and you have to be very careful how you move so as not to disrupt the microsurgery done to move the tissue from the belly to the chest). He has given me hope.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

@orchardgirl54

Ok I’ll keep watching it.

I tried sending you my email but I guess it’s not aloud.
We can still communicate on here. 🙂

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When did you say your surgery is scheduled? I am having trouble retracing the message thread!

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@lnlowe70

When did you say your surgery is scheduled? I am having trouble retracing the message thread!

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Hi. My surgery is on 12/8. Not sure of the time yet, but hoping it’s in the morning.🙏🏻

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I had a bilateral mastectomy at 70. It is not silver bullet though. Breast cancer has now spread to my bones. I just found out and in the process of getting treatment and figuring out what my strategy is going to be. Breast cancer was supposedly in remission since 2018. This was certainly a socker to say the least.

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@bfd2022

I had a bilateral mastectomy at 70. It is not silver bullet though. Breast cancer has now spread to my bones. I just found out and in the process of getting treatment and figuring out what my strategy is going to be. Breast cancer was supposedly in remission since 2018. This was certainly a socker to say the least.

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My thoughts are sure with you. This could definitely be any one of us, and likely several in this group will face exactly this. I am feeling somewhat schizophrenic, trying to both emotionally brace for a return cancer while simultaneously also trying to forget cancer and focus on doing the most important things I would most regret not having done with the precious days I have. (Was your 2018 tumor triple negative by chance?)

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I had a left breast mastectomy on 11/11/2021. I was 69 at that time. My oncologist asked me what I wanted to do and my surgeon asked if I wanted reconstruction. My age was never discussed just what my thoughts and feelings were, and my own decision and what I wanted.

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@auntieoakley

Much like @keepmoving2 above said; My best suggestions are first, take someone with you. It is truly amazing how differently doctor appointments can go with someone else there. I have seen this time and time again, it changes the dynamics of the appointment. This also serves to have someone else listening with you, our mind can wander momentarily when talking about our own cancer and we can miss tidbits of information. Next up, I would ask the questions even if I had to read them from my paper, this way there is no chance of one or two not being answered. Then if you read the next question and already have the answer, you can choose not to ask it, but it is your choice.
I find that these things can signal to a doctor that I take my appointment seriously. I am hoping that you love the new doctor and are comfortable with a treatment plan with them.
Do you have someone that can go with you and help advocate for you?

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Yes, I have a lovely neighbor who drove me to hospital and then took me home. She was with me on my first visit after surgery and was big help with questions to Doc. Next time I went along when he said I really need to get to Swedish in Seattle and have a masectomy... it was then I raised my blouse and said" do you not know that I already have had a masectomy?" That is when I decided to try another Doc. See him 10 months after operation. Just feel like I have fallen thru the cracks somewhere along the line and hoping all is going well with my old body of 87!

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@anjalima

We are all on this journey and here for each other. 🌸

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can you explain what drain belt is and does , thanks

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It’s a loose belt that goes around your waist. It has two “ pockets” that slide on the belt. You can put the drain bulbs into the pockets and are discreet under a loose shirt. So it holds the bulbs so they don’t get caught on anything. I also used the drain belt to shower to keep them out of the way ( as much as that’s possible).

Fortunately the drains are only a few weeks.

Amazon has .

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@oahu

Yes, I have a lovely neighbor who drove me to hospital and then took me home. She was with me on my first visit after surgery and was big help with questions to Doc. Next time I went along when he said I really need to get to Swedish in Seattle and have a masectomy... it was then I raised my blouse and said" do you not know that I already have had a masectomy?" That is when I decided to try another Doc. See him 10 months after operation. Just feel like I have fallen thru the cracks somewhere along the line and hoping all is going well with my old body of 87!

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I feel that way too.

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@cctoo

I feel that way too.

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am 86. No doc ever suggested mastectomy. Now recurrence on armpit. Afraid to do bone scan so didn't. but CT scan shows no spresd elsewhere. just recovering from partial dissection... with seroma.

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