What do you all think/ do you know anyone that has done this?

[mjh8406]

I have done NO research on this, thought I would post first to see what the general opinion was on this. When I am done having kids....I am pregnant with my second and will probably stop after 3......and done breastfeeding, I want to have all of my breast tissue removed then have reconstructive surgery. My mom had breast cancer. She is a survivor and hasn't had it in 10+ years. I have NO boobs at all so there wouldn't be much to remove.

What are your general feelings on this.....good idea, bad idea? Do you know of anyone who did this? I am curious how the process went, one vs. two surgeries, did insurance cover any of it?

Ok, thanks for your time on this weird question that I will not have to worry about in 5+ years :crazy:

[rhiannasmoms43]

I have done NO research on this, thought I would post first to see what the general opinion was on this. When I am done having kids....I am pregnant with my second and will probably stop after 3......and done breastfeeding, I want to have all of my breast tissue removed then have reconstructive surgery. My mom had breast cancer. She is a survivor and hasn't had it in 10+ years. I have NO boobs at all so there wouldn't be much to remove.

What are your general feelings on this.....good idea, bad idea? Do you know of anyone who did this? I am curious how the process went, one vs. two surgeries, did insurance cover any of it?

Ok, thanks for your time on this weird question that I will not have to worry about in 5+ years :crazy:
I have heard of this being done to avert the possibility of getting cancer in families where cancer is prevalent.
Have you discussed this decision with your doctor?
Are there tests you can take to evaluate the necessity of such a drastic procedure?
How many women in your family have contracted breast cancer? Were they all diagnosed with the same type?
What is the likelihood of you getting cancer?

I see nothing wrong with this procedure in women who have a strong disposition for breast cancer, but I would think it would be overkill (JMHO) to do such drastic surgery on someone who is just afraid they might get it.
There are things that can go wrong when you are under the knife as well, and so many other types of cancer you can get...I dunno...

[JessiC]

One of DH's aunts (his uncle's wife) if having this done. Her family has a very high risk for cancer. She was told by her doctor that her chance based on family history of getting breast cancer is like 88% I think. We don't see that side of the family much because they don't live close, so I don't know much about the process. I would talk to your doctor about it. See if they can predict your risk and talk about the benefits of having it done. Check with your insurance to see what is covered. You said you are planning on having more children and BFing, so you have some time to do some research and think about it. I think it's a very personal decision and ultimately you have to be the one to decide if that is what is right for you.

Good luck!

[mjh8406]

Thanks girls. I am very uneducated about this....I think there is a bloodtest they can do to see if you have a gene that predisposes you to breast ca? Maybe I will ask for this after I have my next baby. My mom had premenopausal breast ca so b/c of that I THINK I am at risk but need to look into it more. I was just really thinking that there isn't much tissue there if you KWIM and that maybe it would be a simple procedure, wishful thinking I am sure. I actually admire Cristina Applegate for doing it....I understand where she is coming from.

[Mia'sMama]

I've heard of it being done. You should look into it further if you think it could help you. :hugs:

[MommaBear]

I would have genetic testing done first to see if you have the gene mutations that are associated with hereditary breast cancer before resorting to anything so drastic.

[Ky'sMom]

I would have genetic testing done first to see if you have the gene mutations that are associated with hereditary breast cancer before resorting to anything so drastic.

ITA with above. Just because your mom had it doesn't mean that you will. I can understand the need to stop it from developing, but you may not have as high a risk at developing it than you think. My paternal grandmother contracted breast cancer at 29, had a mastectomy, then it came back and she died from it at 35, pre-menopause as well. None of my four aunts, thankfully, have developed the disease and they are all in their menopausal years. They have had mamograms since their 20s/30s just to be extra vigilant with their breast health.

Erin

[Kurt's Mom]

I agree with the testing thing, When I am done having children which will most likely be after my 2nd I really don't want more then two. anywho I was thinking about donating my eggs.

[AnnaC]

I don't know a lot about breast cancer, except that the longer you breastfeed your chances of getting it are drastically reduced. So I would probably talk with your dr, taking that into account as well, and then decide. And I would definately get a second and third opinion before doing something so drastic.

[Kellyr]

I would have genetic testing done first to see if you have the gene mutations that are associated with hereditary breast cancer before resorting to anything so drastic.

I too agree!!

However, my sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has had several surgeries so far. She will start treatment soon. I do not wish this on anyone!!

I would definitely look into this procedure if it ran in my family!

[EJLKMommy]

There is a bloodtest that can be done to detect the gene for breast cancer. The name escapes me right now, but it can tell you that if you do have the gene you will have somewhere around an 80% chance of getting breast ca. I would ask your OB/GYN about it. Best of luck!

[cheeksy]

What was said above - do a test first. Removing breast tissue is a major surgery that can affect your whole system. We are made with breasts despite their size and cutting them off will be like cutting an arm or a leg - you can function without either but not in the same way. I really hope you don't have to undergo anything so drastic though.
Big hugs and may your mom live very long and happy years!

[BlueMoon]

I just found this thread as I was looking for anyone out there who had this done and was now expecting. I had this procedure...called a prophylactic mastectomy, in 2001. I am one of 5 children, 4 of us girls and we all had it done. My mother died of breast cancer in 1988 when she was only 63. My family is in all types of genetic surveys and trials because, for 3 generations, 90% of the women over 40 have developed breast cancer. However, we test negative for BRCA-1 and -2. So they are looking for another gene that may have a mutation. My Drs said it was not a matter of "whether" I'd develop breast cancer, but "when" I'd develop it. I saw 4 specialists....all agreed and most said that, if I was considering this surgery, I should have it before I was 40. So, at 36 I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Each of the 4 of us (my sisters) all had reconstruction done in different ways. We are quite the show-and-tell family when we get together.

Insurance paid 100%. I have had zero trouble since the surgery. I've run 3 marathons since then....and now I'm PG. Just missing the opportunity this time to breastfeed. Trying to decide what alternatives I have to giving our baby formula from the very beginning..and how I can bond as if I were breastfeeding.

If I can help you at all or tell you more about what I've learned, I'm happy to. Good luck to you!!

Caroline

[rhiannasmoms43]

I just found this thread as I was looking for anyone out there who had this done and was now expecting. I had this procedure...called a prophylactic mastectomy, in 2001. I am one of 5 children, 4 of us girls and we all had it done. My mother died of breast cancer in 1988 when she was only 63. My family is in all types of genetic surveys and trials because, for 3 generations, 90% of the women over 40 have developed breast cancer. However, we test negative for BRCA-1 and -2. So they are looking for another gene that may have a mutation. My Drs said it was not a matter of "whether" I'd develop breast cancer, but "when" I'd develop it. I saw 4 specialists....all agreed and most said that, if I was considering this surgery, I should have it before I was 40. So, at 36 I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Each of the 4 of us (my sisters) all had reconstruction done in different ways. We are quite the show-and-tell family when we get together.

Insurance paid 100%. I have had zero trouble since the surgery. I've run 3 marathons since then....and now I'm PG. Just missing the opportunity this time to breastfeed. Trying to decide what alternatives I have to giving our baby formula from the very beginning..and how I can bond as if I were breastfeeding.

If I can help you at all or tell you more about what I've learned, I'm happy to. Good luck to you!!

Caroline


...wow...I don't know what to say...
Hugs don't seem necessary. What an amazing story.

[cheeksy]

Oh I just got my previous question answered. :hugs: