Good question about prophylactic mastectomy. I had HIGH family history but genetic testing negative for breast cancers. Very dense breasts. I was followed very closely and had mammogram every year. At age 41, in 2003, they found clustered calcifications on mammogram and biopsy showed LCIS and ADH. I contemplated a prophylactic mastectomy. But given time to research…I decided against it. I’m glad I did.
Why? Because this year, 20 years later, when I had the mastectomy, the advances in skin sparing and lymph node testing had improved mastectomy surgeries tremendously. If I had been gene positive, I would have had the surgery in 2002.
But my Mass General docs in Boston said that with a HIGH RISK BREAST CANCER MONITORING PLAN and by going on Tamoxifen for 5 years, they were confident in a good outcome. My breast oncologist followed me with a yearly Mammogram, a breast exam with her, and 6 months later by MRI. I ate right and kept active.
I also went on Raloxifene for 7 years after Tamoxifen ended. I was Cancer free for 20 years! This year, I had a clear mammogram but 6 months later, my MRI showed “an enhancement”. The MRI guided vacuum biopsy found two separate areas of DCIS on the right. (Same side as before ) I chose to have the double mastectomy. I did skin sparing pedicle flaps, using the skin from my saggy 60 year old DD breasts. I’m 5’6” 130 lbs so I don’t have much fat. The plastic surgeon used my own breast skin to make new breast mounds. I think they will end up cute little size A cups. The surgeon took my nipples and saved the areolas. This surgery would not have been possible in 2002. Mastectomy surgeries and reconstruction are no piece of cake. I did tons of research and saw 5 breast surgeons at 5 different hospitals in 2 states and 5 plastic surgeons since the September news. My mastectomy was in early December and my reconstruction was in early Jan. Take time to really investigate options. It’s tough to think clearly when you are still in shock and emotionally panicked.
We are lucky to live in a 2023 medical community.
If you’re a reader, look up breast cancer studies on line worldwide. Nih websites and other .org sites are really helpful.
❤️