invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive lobular in situ

Regarding taking both breasts - I thought the same thing 5 years ago and was told NO. I recently switched my cancer providers to physicians closer to home as the travel was very difficult. New oncologist asked me why they didn’t take both breasts. I told her I asked them to and was told NO! She shook her head and said that is the old-school thinking and that I could, and she believed should, have my other breast removed!I am 74 years old and don’t want to have another surgery. I think that IF I have a need for another surgery I would ask for breast removal then.

Thank you. This is how I am leaning. It just makes sense to me.

Some things to consider -

- Some women have written about getting an Aesthetic Flat Closure during a mastectomy. It leave your chest wall more contoured and usually more visually appealing. You’ll find others here that have had this done.

- Insist that a plastic surgeon step in and complete the closure after the oncology surgeon has remove breast tissue. This might be more likely to happen at a comprehensive cancer center. There is absolutely no reason that the sutures shouldn’t look as perfect as those done during a reconstruction.

- Consider trying a long sleeve bathing suit. My young granddaughter has vitiligo and another autoimmune disease affected by the sun. We all bought long sleeve bathing suits because she must wear one. I was very surprised, they can be very attractive. My daughter in law looks great in one, kind of sexy. Some have more breathable fabric than others. Added benefit, they do protect your skin from damaging sun without needing sunscreen.

I feel so much for you. Having a cancer diagnosis alone is a challenge. I had a bilateral mastectomy last February from ILC. It was only in one breast but I opted for taking both breasts because ILC likes to travel from what I read. I did have a reconstruction done but have had capsular contraction happen with a seroma under the right breast implant last September so I had surgery again to remove the implant and the seroma which was just fluid not an infection. However now my breasts are not identical and I will most likely have another surgery down the road to address that problem. If I knew what I know now, I probably would have opted to just go flat. Why not. Then you can wear a bathing suit and you don’t have to bother with bras! How freeing! I wish you the best. Every women has to decide for themselves what is best for them. Do what will make you feel good about looking in the mirror. That is what I did.

I'm glad to see some helpful comments here. I am wondering if there is someone you can ask to help with an overview of your care, as there are essentially two different treatment plans. Do you have one or two oncologists? Can they both meet with you, even remotely, so that you can talk through the differing concerns? Or might a nurse co-ordinator help? Also, do you have a friend or family member you can talk this through with? My experience with breast cancer is that I was offered the best treatment plan that could be devised, but ultimately I had to also factor in what was best for me as a person.

Hello! My cancer (invasive lobular) was in one breast and my doc was thrilled that I wanted to go ahead and remove both. Please keep advocating for yourself!!
Also, in regards to a bathing suit, I purchased a bra that has saline implants (for lack of a better word) built in it. I wear it to work and on the beach. I wear it under my bathing suit and you can’t see it with several suits and it looks like I’m wearing a bra under my suit in the ones where it shows. 🙂

Thank you. So helpful. I am trying so hard to wrap my head about this.

@triciaot great idea on the bathing suit. I will check if a plastic surgeon is a possibility.

@triciaot yes totally agree. I had a plastic surgeon do my reconstruction the same time as the double mastectomy. Definitely worth it and having two breasts the same is worth it too.

I can not have restruction because I have leukemia,IGg/IGm issues, blood clot issues in legs, 2 nodules is lungs that they are watching until April, etc......they are afraid of infection. But...I am very healthy, eat well, exercise, am in everything, and do not give up!