Former Fox News anchor and conservative journalist E.D. Hill informed “The View” co-hosts today that she will have a preventative double mastectomy. Essentially, she does not have breast cancer; she just doesn’t want to get it. And since a strong family history increases her chances of developing the disease, she’s taking action to keep herself as healthy as possible.
Seem too extreme to you? Or would you do it, too?
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Tags: double mastectomy, E.D. Hill, Fox News, preventative, The View
AFTER completing treatments for breast cancer, I learned that I was positive for the BRCA2 breast cancer gene mutation. I chose to go back and have a preventative bi-lateral mastectomy. The numbers associated with the gene are just too compelling to ignore.
E. D. Hill is making the same choice. Even though she doesn’t have one of the known genes, she has a family history that is just as compelling. Her family probably has a gene that hasn’t been identified by scientists yet – but that exists none the less. I applaud her courage to go forward with the surgery and to share her decision with the public. It is a hard choice.
I encourage anyone facing this type of decision to explore the FORCE web page (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered).
http://www.facingourrisk.org
Sherri Jo
I am a 49 year old professional woman from New Brunswick Canada – I too made the same decision and chose to have the same procedure – family history that took away my mom and grandmother and wanted to control my own future – best thing I ever did! Don’t be afraid – also had reconstruction and a tran flap so used my stomach fat to recreate my breasts – great results and a tummy tuck to boot!!
Thanks for sharing, Sherri Jo!
Brenda — thanks for sharing your experience!
I am a 31 yr old who has a very strong family history of breast cancer and even though we are not positive for the gene, there is enough worry that I am on Tamoxifen for the next 5 yrs as a preventative measure. Doing a bilateral mastectomy is something I am willing to do as needed. I do not have to go through what my mother has twice now…and the Drs have told me its a matter of when and not if. I want to be able to say I have done everything in my power to prevent it.
Way to be proactive, Lisa! Thanks for weighing in on this matter!
I am 45 and tested BRCA1 positive in August. I underwent a preventative oopherectomy in October and am scheduled to have a preventative bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction in February. My mom had breast cancer at 31 and my grandmother died in her early 50s from it years ago. For me, I’m making the choice to give myself the best chance of having a long, healthy life. I don’t want to live my life worrying about it and wondering if I gambled too long and lost. With the odds so high (up to 87%) that I’ll likely lose my breasts anyway, I prefer to do it this way without having to also go through chemo and possibly fight for my life. People who are not in this situation may not understand but it’s all about what the person actually going through it is comfortable with. I choose life!
Best wishes to you, Karen. I think you are doing the right thing by taking charge NOW!
Thanks Jacki! Best wishes to you and I admire your strength and determination. I see that you are definitely choosing life as well!
I am her cousin. Not one female in our family has ever died of breast cancer. My mother (who the spot seemed to imply had died of breast cancer) is alive, well, and cancer free. Our grandmother was cancer free when she died of old age.
I am also a registered nurse. IF she truly feels that she has genetic susceptibility that just hasn’t been identified (as she tested NEGATIVE for the known gene mutations) then she would also be at increased risk for ovarian and colon cancers. Is she having those removed as well? Frankly, ovarian cancer being so difficult to detect makes it a far deadlier disease than breast cancer is at this time in medical history.
There are so many non-surgical ways to lower one’s risk of breast cancer. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants. Exercise. Watch your weight. Don’t smoke, don’t drink. Have children and breastfeed them. Don’t have an abortion. Steer clear of chemical forms of birth control if you have a high family history. And although it’s not a preventative, early detection is key.
There are those for whom this surgery DOES make sense. But going under the knife poses risks of its own no matter how skilled the surgeon or excellent the care provided.
I’m in the reconstructive phase of my bi-lateral prophylactic mastectomy. I chose to be proactive, and while I’m having some infection issues I still think I made the correct choice. I found out I was BRCA2 positive in April of last year and had a total hysterectomy in June. It wasn’t until a breast MRI revealed an area suspicious for cancer that I realized the hysterectomy wasn’t enough. I had the mastectomy in December and luckily my pathology was negative, but I’m in control.
Funny two weeks ago I had to explain to everyone I talked to what BRCA testing was and why I was doing this E D Hill has saved me a lot of talking! Good luck to her and anyone who makes this choice.
Suzanne
I found out that that my brac 2 was positive and I am seeing a Oncologist next week to discuss my options… I do not have cancer now is it not a matter of time? My mom was taken from me when I was 29…. I don’t want to have to tell my son that….. Any Ideas on questions I should ask the Doctor when I see him
Thank you all for sharing your stories of courage. I am 35 years old and a 3rd generation breast cancer fighter. I will be survivor, just going through the fight now.
I had a lumpectomy, but have chosen to go further. I just had a bilateral mastectomy 2 days ago. I’m negative for BRCA1/2. I have a responsibility to my family, to my 2 little girls. I don’t want to go through this hell again. I don’t want to put my family through this again. It was a big decision, but it was an easy decision. I’m willing to do whatever I have to so that my daughters can grow up with their mommy!
You are your own best advocate. Listen to your instincts. I know I made the right decision and I will never regret it.
I applaud your decision to have the bi-lateral done. I wish I would have done that now. I am a 45 year old mother and am on my way to being a 1-year survivor. My surgeon recommended that I have a mastectomy and I told him that I wanted to have the bi-lateral done. For some reason he wanted to save the breast and would have a pathologist present at my lumpectomy to determine what would be done. I had ductal and lobular (deep growing) cancers. I had 6 weeks of radiation and felt the best I had in years. Soon after I started getting fevers, rashes and generally feeling like crap. I went through a short-term chemo after radiation – injections – nasty stuff. The side effects of all the medications, tamoxifen too, have put me in the ringer. I see a long road ahead of healing. My doctors have told me to forget about ever being “normal” or back to the way I was. To do it over again, I would have insisted on the bi-lateral. Prevention is ALWAYS the best medicine! I wish you the best and hope you never have to go what me and other women have had to fighting this awful disease. Keep us posted.
I applaud all of you ladies and am sharing in your experiences. I had breast cancer at 37 in my left breast and had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Piece of cake, right? Two years later, this past October 8, (my deceased Mother’s Birthday) I was told that I had breast cancer in my right breast. When my Surgeon suggested bi-lateral mastectomy I thought he had lost his mind. Just like last time it was still stage 1 so I thought the suggestion was somewhat radical. In retrospect, if I had it to do over again, I would have had the bi-lateral mastectomy two years ago. You know what they say about hind site… I had the mastectomy on November 10, then on December 31, I had my ovaries removed because something “lit up” in my left ovary in my PET scan. No ovarian cancer Thank God! I had my first chemo treatment on February 2nd and have 3 more treatments to go. Who knows, I may look good bald. Oh, and I had 300 cc’s of saline injected into each of the tissue expanders on the Friday before my first chemo treatment. I told my plastic surgeon since he put me through so much pain with the saline injections I want nice cleavage when he is done… Right now sitting at my kitchen table looking at 4 feet of snow on my deck from this past weekend and today’s blizzard ( I live in Maryland) it all feels like a bad dream. Some days I feel like I can’t get through this, but then I think about all of the prayers and kindness of my friends and family, and I know I will. I will not be the same person physically or mentally that started this journey, but I will make it through.
My hope and prayer for all of you is that you have a Husband or significant other like I do. A man who after your surgery, will gently towel you dry when you get out of the shower and sit in the floor and hold your coffee cup with a straw in it so you can lay flat and drink it.
I am blessed in so many ways, best of luck to all of you,
Chris
My BRCA gene test came back positive a few days before Christmas. I had a benign lump removed on 12-28 and after another series of tests, another “sighting” was found on my other breast. I don’t want to go this each time they run a mammogram, ultrasound or an MRI so I have opted to have a double mastectomy. It is scheduled for 2/17 (day after tomorrow). YIKES! I’m scared but I know it is the right thing to do…………. to save my life. I’m doing this now that I am healthy rather than wait till I get cancer. My husband is my biggest supporter and with all the prayers I am receiving, I’m sure everything will be ok.
God bless you all and best of luck!
Sylvia – You have NOOO idea how proud we are of you putting your selfishness aside and chose to be a wife, mother and grandmother instead. Thank you for thinking of us. I know that what you have gone through in the past and in the present is NO challenge for what is to come in the future. We supported you then, now and will ALWAYS support you!!!! God is walking with you on this journey and he will ALWAYS be there to lift you up when you feel like falling. ALWAYS believe and have faith in him. He will NEVER abandon you. We will continue to pray for you and ask him to give you strength and patience. As well as for dad and the family. We love you and can’t thank you enough for choosing us over defeat. May the Lord bless you all!!!
-Sueannie
I just turned 60 and just watched the view with E. D. Hill after her surgery. She is beautiful. So strong. I am a fallopian tube stage 3c survivor since age 48 and underwent 3 surgeries and chemo for 8 months. I recently was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and negative lymph nodes. I thought it would only be lumpectomy, radiation and Arimidex for 5 years. My Brac1 just came back positive and my oncotype dx testing on the tumor says it is high risk for cancer at a distant site. I started chem 2/15/10 it will be for 6 cycles. I face bilat mastectomies and reconstruction in the summer. I am quite scared and was shocked as I never expected 2 cancers. My family history is very strong and now all first line relatives including boys need to be tested.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer Sept.09 ten days before my 50th birthday. My mother and aunt had breast cancer although I tested negative for the BRCA gene. When the doctor said the tumor was stage 1 and I should have a lumpectomy, I told him I wanted both my breasts removed. He jokingly said that was a little “barbaric” and not really needed and I asked if I should find another doctor. (He is a well known leading doctor in our city) He agreed to do the surgery and I have been under reconstruction with tissue expanders. I just finished my last “fill” this week. I recently received a call that my tumor was tested and would not have responded to chemo should I have needed it.
It has been a little difficult with the tissue expander process but I absolutely without hesitation can say I would do it again and felt resolute and at peace from the beginning. I have three kids and my oldest is giving us our first grandchild this May when I am due to have the final implants put in.
E.D. Hill was an encouragement for me to hear as she obviously represents other women who are being proactive and doing the same thing. I felt like a lone ranger until now …. keep your chin up gals and your faith in God. Blessings to all!
And you keep your chin up, too, Rebecca!
Thank you all for sharing your stories of strength and courage! The decisions we must make when faced with this diagnosis, or even the potential of getting cancer based on our history or genetics, can be so overwhelming – words can’t describe.
I am 39 undergoing chemotherapy, having had 3 surgeries this year including a bilateral mastectomy – none of which were easy decisions to make. I had cancer in only one breast, but the density of my tissue and aggressiveness of my tumors left me agonizing over the decision to remove both of my breasts. Not to mention trying to decide which type of chemo regimen may or may not save my life. I feel so fortunate to have choices, but often having more than one option can in itself be overwhelming. I’ve learned to make my decisions and move forward with faith and take control of my own journey. All of our journeys are unique!
I do not agres with Elisabeth although I think it is a very personal decision. I had a friend who took Elisabeth’s position and now she has stage 4. Cancer all through her bones from breast ca. Was not even having any pain and shocked to hear what they thought was stage 1, was stage 4. She did get checked-mri and mammo, but apparantly her cancer is lobular, not ductal and very hard to detect until it is enormous. If she could go back in time she certainly would have had a prophylactic. It is simply not worth the risk for many. I had what was going to be a p.m and they found a small area of dcis on pathology, but I avoided radiation and tamoxifen with its risks. My doctor told me of another one of his patients that went in for a p.m. and when pathology came back they found invasive cancer. The tests are not perfect and the surgical risks low. Early detection does not always mean you will make it with invasive cancer. Of course, you can’t take out everything, but control what you can. I know cancer is a booming medical profit center, and sometimes wonder if that is not why p.m.s arent recommended more. I’m thankful I had a doctor who was very clear that this was a very sneaky disease with no guarantees that early detection will be enough. Thanks to E.D. Hill for making her decision public to help others.
In September 2008, I received a call from my doctor telling me that I needed to go in and have a repeat Mammoogram there was a shadow on the film. Since this happened several times before, I wasn’t too concerned. One week after the first mammogram I had the repeat with an immediate ultrasound that morning and a discussion with the radiologist concerning a stereotactic biopsy that would be needed. I talked myself out of being overly concerned as there was no family history of breast cancer. Other cancer (lung) on my mothers side; my mother’s father, sister and brother. They were smokers, I never smoked. So this was just a procedure to rule out anything.
Therefore, after the first biopsy, I was not prepared for the call from my surgeon that I would need to have the open surgical biopsy of the breast. This was scheduled within a week of each other. The second call from my surgeon came while I was standing in line at the grocery store scanning my groceries. When ask if it was a good time, I knew in my heart that it was not good news. I figured why not there to hear the words, “you have breast cancer”. That way, I wouldn’t cry, for I would not want strangers wondering why the lady was scanning groceries and crying. I remember my surgeon saying he would need for me to come in with my husband and have a talk. The results of the biopsy did not show cancer, but did show pre-cancer cells. Lobular Carcinoma in situ.
After consultation with my surgeon and my sister-in-law who is a pathologist
and an oncologist who my surgeon wanted me to talk with, the decision was made to under go a Prophylactic mastectomy. The next step was visiting a plastic surgeon to discuss the reconstruction. With my doctors working in unison the procedures were schedules for January 6, 2009.
I can’t say that this was an easy decision. Many times I had almost talked myself out of the surgery. I felt as if I was in a totally different world. This was not the norm for me. Two days after my surgery, the pathology report was in. As strange as it seems, the news came as a blessing. I had made the correct decision. They had found cancer cells in one of my breast. I cried, but was not sure if it was because they found the cancer, or because it confirmed for me that the decision that I made was the right decision.
Hearing E.D. Hill talk about her decision and tell her story was comforting to me. There are others who know what I went thru and am going thru. I know that it was the right decision.
I lost a part of myself that defined me as a woman. I gained quite a lot also. My faith in God was challenged and confirmed. I discovered that I had support from friends both physically, mentally and spiritually. I discovered that my husband was stronger than I believed he was. He was my rock. He allowed me to cry and morn my loss, without chastising me.
The year 2009 was a long difficult one. But I made it thru. I was blessed with knowledgeable doctors whom I put my trust in. They did not let me down. I have come thru this past year with a different outlook. I don’t take things for granted; and things not going the way I would like them to don’t seem to bother me as they would have in the past. I have grown. I am one year cancer free. I am a survivor.
PLease please please does anyone know the website that E.D. Hill mentioned where to buy a “mastectomy Survival Kit” for women who under go a mastectomy???
I am 48 years old, and have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am pre-menopausal, have a mother who died of breast cancer and an aunt who has had the disease twice (I have no sisters). I have very dense, cystic breasts. In fact I just had a mamogram in September and was told it was fine. The cancer is in one breast, and the MRI is inconclusive of the size, since there is a cyst that hopefully is large and the cancer in or near it. Very confusing. I am seriously considering a bilateral masectomy. I have wondered my whole life “when” not “if I was going to get cancer, and here I am. I really don’t want to spend another second worrying about the other breast. Any suggestions
Pat, I would suggest you talk with your doctors about your specific pathology — size, stage, grade, spread to lymph nodes, etc. — and get a few opinions. My doctor was a fan of conserving the breast and since my tumor was 1.1 cm and had not spread to nodes, he thought a lumpectomy was the best bet. So I had one, it seems to have worked well. After chemo, radiation and Herceptin therapy, I am cancer-free (5 years). I cannot tell you what to do, but once you have all the info. in front of you, I bet your gut will!
Jacki, unfortunately I have a 6 cm mass that is perhaps a cyst with a tumor inside, although it’s inconclusive at this point. The nodes look OK thru MRI and ultrasound but who know at the cellular level, and yet we know it is the cancer that spreads (I forgot the word).
Thanks for your comments and prayers.
I to am facing the same. My tumors and cysts just keep coming back. I am 53 years young I have 3 beautiful daughters and a grandson and a new little grandbaby on the way….In the past year I have had the benign tumors taken out, asperated and core biospy. I can’t take anymore of this wondering. I to am looking into the double mastectomy. My doctor told me I am at risk for breast cancer. I’d rather face it now then face it later with worse news…
I know how you feel. I just can’t go thru this again, wondering if the other breast is going to develop cancer. The fact that I had a mammogram just 5 months ago and it didn’t show any abnormalities really concerns me, as well as the doctors. I have talked to 3 surgeons( a couple are friends) and they all think it is wise of me to go for the bilateral. I have just scheduled my surgery for April 5th. I am just praying for negative nodes and a smaller cancer and larger cyst. The surgery and reconstruction will be 9 hours! Yikes.. that’s enough to cause me to concern. I have never even had surgery before. 3 kids/3 vaginal births . I know this is the right thing to do. But I am definately scared on a number of levels. I will also undergo genetic testing after the surgery.
I am planning on having double prophylactic masectomies on May 6, due to strong family history, multiple biopsies and Atypical Lobular Hyperlasia. My options were the surgery or take Tamoxifen for 5 years and see if that would work, along with having side effects, MRIs every year and more biopsies. I am choosing the surgery – why wait for cancer.
Dear Rebecca;
How did you go about getting your tumor tested to see if it would have responded to chemotherapy? I think this is a great idea and I am going to be having surgery and I would like to have the tumor tested as well.
Thanks So Much
Janice
i have been diagnosed with dcis in left breast. i have had three surgeries and after the 3rd surgery, there were clear margins. I am in the process of deciding whether I should go forward with a bilateral mastectomy or 6 weeks of radiation and tamoxifen. I am 47 yrs old. Anyone in this same situation? I tested negative for the brac1 gene and a great grandmother may have died of BC in the early 1900’s.
deb
You’re definitely not used to a guy posting, but here goes….my wife had (negative for BRCA’s), decided, based on her risk factors, to have a double prophylactic mastectomy (DPM). It started with a bloody discharge from her right nipple in 10/2006. After central duct excision on the right breast revealed ALH, ADH and intraductal papilloma, Patti had numerous appointments with her breast surgeon to discuss treatment plans. Her 37% lifetime risk of getting breast cancer was not as high as some I’ve seen here and elsewhere, but it still significant. She was presented with three options 1) High maintenance detection regimen 2) tamoxafin or 3) DPM. Her family tree barely forks and it has breast cancer on both sides, in both sexes! After multiple consults and appointments with her breast surgeon, Patti elected to go what she thought to be the “safest” route. She elected for the DPM. Remember, up to this point, no sign of any type of malignancy…her surgery was purely preventative. After all, she was about to turn 50 and she was sure she wouldn’t miss them and Patti wasn’t worried about what others might think, only what I thought. I was honest, but I told her I would back whatever she decided to do. So March of 2007, off they came and after more careful consideration she decided not to do reconstruction. Her lifetime risk of cancer post surgery: less than 1%. Or so she thought. A couple of days after the surgery her doctor, who had opposed the DPM, called with the message of Always trust your intuition. The pathology had come back with DCIS in one breast and DCIS and LCIS in the other. It seemed to validate Patti’s decision to proceed with the most radical of the three choices she had been presented with earlier. She asked her surgeon, “What do I do now?” The Dr. responded, “You already did it.” Fast forward three years (and three annual exams later) to Super Bowl Sunday 2010. What started out as a self diagnosed gall bladder attack eventually turned into a diagnosis of Stage IV Breast Cancer with liver, bone, lung, adrenal gland, parotid gland, and chest wall (mediastinum) involvement. We have just started this journey and are fortunate to have a support system that is wonderful. But our lives and the lives of our three teenagers are changed forever. The only “answer” as to how this happened is that she is part of the less than 1%. Some possibilities are: -an invasive cancer was not seen by the surgeon or the pathologist that already had spread outside the breast at the time of the DPM – a new cancer developed in some residual breast tissue – or it was an “anti-miracle”; for some unknown reason it just showed up. The choices are listed in what we think to be the most likely scenario to the least. So now she is saying “What if”…What if she had done the high maintenance? They would have found something suspicious that would have lead to a better imaging study, leading to the discovery of cancer, but in an early stage, with a 5 year survival rate in excess of 70%. What if she had done the tamoxafin? That path might have led us to an oncologist, again with a better prognosis that what she has now. Her 5 year survival rate is now around 20%. What if?
So don’t stop where the doctor (read insurance company) says stop…find out what the next step would be (In Patti’s case an MRI or CAT scan might have been all that was needed to make a difference in the outcome.) AND TAKE ITY !!!
The website I shared tells a little more about Patti and her (albeit so far, short) journey. She’s already finished 3 weeks of chemo , is generally tired, losing her hair, but in great spirits (as she always is). It’s so hard for her to be “taken care of” by friends and family as she is usually in the front lines if someone needs help. Thanks for the forum.
Jim,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think you should keep sharing, because it contains so much wisdom and insight for other women who might find themselves in similar situations. And I have the perfect book recommendation for you — you might have seen my post about it.
http://cancerspot.org/2009/10/02/giveaway-stand-by-her-a-breast-cancer-guide-for-men/
Anyway, I wish you and Patti the very best, and I suspect that with her enthusiastic spirit, she is going to kick butt!
Question: can anyone read your blog? Or do readers need to register? I ask because I’d like to write a post and lead people to it so they can be informed and inspired! Let me know, and take good care of yourself.
Cheers,
Jacki
Jacki-
Thanks for letting me share….if anyone wants to “visit” Patti and read a little more about her and her journey
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/patdoane
I also recommend the book as it is a very good resource for guys
I am a 45 year old widowed mom of an 11 year old daughter, who is positive for the brca gene mutation. My mom had breast cancer at the age of 37, having a mastectomy, and my sister (also positive for the gene) had a partial mastectomy at the age of 41. I chose to have an elective oopherectomy in November and I’m trying to come to grips with the bilateral mastectomy. I have been seeing a genetic oncologist, and have an appt. with her in two weeks. I’m sure she will answer all my questions and hopefully I will be brave enough to schedule this operation. After being widowed at the age of 41, I need to make sure I’m am here for my daughter as she grows up. The constant reminder of a strong family history and being positive for the gene never leaves my mind.. I am trying to remain open minded and confident that everything will turn out ok. I will probably seek to have this done in the summer..I have done research on this, but for some reason, I am so concerned with what the outcome will look like. I know, being in my position that its a very vain way to look at it, but I have to admit that is a fear of mine. Hopefully in a few months, my questions and fears will be solved..
To Single Mom,
The plastic surgeon I go to think the results will be great – I’m really small now though – so I won’t have much to miss. Just think you will get rid of the worry, the risk and all the tests. My surgery is scheduled for May 6th – post what you decide. Good luck!
To Deb,
For me surgery versus radiation and tamoxifen – I chose surgery. My choice was surgery or tamoxifen for 5 years. I talked to a few people who felt just awful on the tamoxifen. My surgery is scheduled for May 6th. Good luck with your decision.
To all: Been doing some research and have come across what i think to be an important piece of information. When you talk to your surgeon and are talking about prophylactic double mastectomy, make sure to ask about the potential drawbacks. If you have already, they should have been something like the following list
1) You may experience problems either during surgery and/or recovery. These complications could be anywhere from minor to fatal.
2) You may have problems associated with reconstruction (Since my wife, Patti decided to not have reconstructive surgery, I’m not “educated” on this subject, so I confess to not knowing the “range” or severity of problems). These risks can be eliminated if reconstruction is not chosen.
3) You may been some psychological effects dealing with identity, sexuality, and image to name a few.
4) You still have a 1% risk of developing breast cancer at some point in your lifetime.
I think that covers it. You’ve all had conversations with your surgeon or oncologist covering this.
But let me add one sentence to number 4 and see if that would make the choice of proceding or not proceding with the prophylactic surgery or not. (Also, I’m assuming that the other choices were fully discussed and explained (Tamoxifin or a high maintainance detection regimen, which, studies show, should include MRI’s)
Here it is:
this -You still have a 1% risk of developing breast cancer at some point in your lifetime.
versus
this -You still have a 1% risk of developing breast cancer at some point in your lifetime, and if so, when found, will be, in the vast majority of cases, at Stage IV, with mutiple areas of metastasis.
Makes a difference, huh?
What could change that sentence would be a change is the standard follow-up care for a true total DPM. All the follow-up currently consists of is a manual examination of the chest area and lymph areas. There is no imaging of any kind done. If they added MRI’s to the follow-up care, many of these cases that are at Stage IV with multiple mets at initial diagnosis could be caught at much earlier stages, but that’a another question. And one in my wife’s case would no longer be an option…instead of option #1.
Thanks for “listening”
Jim,
My surgeon assured me that after pdm and reconstruction that if breast cancer showed up it would be found very early, because it would be right under the skin and easy to feel. The surgeon still wants to examine me yearly and have me do self exams. She said if she were in my shoes she would have the surgery. I think I believe her.
Val, I’m not a surgeon, but I am also no dummy. The surgeon can not get all of the breast tissue because it is hard to reach/see places (neck/abdomen/etc.) Also, small pieces will be left on the chest wall, many microscopic in nature. (This info is straight from the ACS website) If any of these become cancerous, I doubt even the most deft doctor, could feel say a 1mm mass that has invaded the chest wall (stage IV) or a tumor that stated in your abdomen from a small tendril of breast tissue no bigger than a hair. Do you really believe that the surgeon will find this mass before it gets into the bloodstream? If you have so little breast tissue left, is the surgeon going to know exactly where to feel…no….do the reading yourself.
Also, as far as feeling it….96% of cancers are caught by mri’s, 46% by ultrasound, 33% by mammograms and less than 10% by manual exams. So n number of people go for exams. Eventually the numbers show that 1000 patients have cancer. If we relied on manual exams alone about 100 cases would be detected and the flip side is that 900 would go undetected. Those same 1000 patients now do an mammogram with a little beter results (found 330/missed 670) Ultrasound fairs a little better (460 vs 540) But in 960 cases out of those 1000 women, cancer was detected using MRI…So that leads to the unfortunate news that 80% of cases are discovered when a mass is felt, long after an MRI would have detected it. Studies show that the use of more sophisticated imaging equipment directly correalates to cancer being found earlier. JMO
Can your surgeon point you to people who have had DPM and developed cancer that was discovered at stage 1. I can show you three that have stage IV BC after having a DPM
Ty for sharing this blog w/us. I too I’m going to have a double masectomy due to my family history and also tested postive for the BRCA1 mutation gene. I’m also having reconstructive surgery as well. And I’m trying not to be afraid. But I feel it will be the right choice for me and my family.
Forgot my age…I am 43 yrs old and will be having this surgery dates after my 44th birthday.
Nora,
Have you had your surgery? If so I hope all went well. My surgery is scheduled for May 6th. I would be happy to hear how its going with you. Good luck!
This is to Val..I was thinking of you and your surgery..I hope all went well last week and I would love to hear all about it..My appt. with the surgeon is next week..just for a consult..and I know I’m making the right choice…its just being brave enough to “make” the appointment..Please share your experience…and I’m thinking of you…
Just wanted to know how you are doing? I’m having the same surgery next week. I’ve giving it alot of thought I have done alot of research I have talked to alot of doctors…..Yes I’m nervous to beat hell but hey I will be so much better in the long run….I am doing a double masectomey with expanders I have had my ups and downs about all this but I have chosen the right decession for myself…I have a great family and great support from them…I am 53 years young and I have alot of living to do….May God Bless everyone who has tough decessions to make..I am leaving this in Gods hands…..
Single Mom….I was reading your story. I wish you the best for you and your 11 year old daughter….Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers…
Just wanted to say thank you to you for talking about your surgery. I had my PBM on 12/10/09 due to density (75-100%) and family history. I stumbled upon this surgery on the internet when I was just trying to figure out what I could do to decrease my risks of getting breast cancer after I had to have surgery to excise a cyst (one of many that I had). This surgery was never offered to me—Tamoxifan was suggested to me and also increased surveillence—neither one sounded good to me so I opted for the PBM and my Breast Surgeon agree with me. The surgery was a no brainer for me—if there is an option that we can take why would you NOT want to do it. There are so many diseases that we can do NOTHING about–why would you not do this to wipe away your chances of every getting breast cancer? Just my opinion. I wish anyone on the fence the best with your decisions.
Sue,
My surgery is on friday the 4th of June boy am i nervous. I met with my surgeon today, pre op is tomorrow the plastic surgeon is on thurs and my double mastectomy with reconstruction is on friday….my sister is coming to town on monday to help my husband out. God bless them both…I just can’t keep going every 3 months for asperations and wondering…and waiting…I have done that for the last 4 years so now enough is enough…How did your surgery turn out for you…and how are you dealing with it mentally? Hope you keep in touch..God bless
Sue,
My surgery is on friday the 4th of June boy am i nervous. I met with my surgeon today, pre op is tomorrow the plastic surgeon is on thurs and my double mastectomy with reconstruction is on friday….my sister is coming to town on monday to help my husband out. God bless them both…I just can’t keep going every 3 months for asperations and wondering…and waiting…I have done that for the last 4 years so now enough is enough…How did your surgery turn out for you…and how are you dealing with it mentally? Hope you keep in touch.