- Home
- Share
- Forum
- Breast cancer Forum
- Treatments for breast cancer
- Single mastectomy or double mastectomy? At a crossroads - need guidance.
Patients Breast cancer
Single mastectomy or double mastectomy? At a crossroads - need guidance.
- 54 views
- 1 support
- 6 comments
All comments
pfout49
I was diagnosed with stage 1a, 2 tumors, 1.0 and 1.5, grade 2 in my left breast. Since my Mother and Sis both passed away with BC, I opted to remove both. It is definitely a personal choice. However if you do opt to keep your other breast, be very vigilant in your mammograms and self exams. My bilateral mastectomy was on 7/3 and all went well. I have expanders in and will be having my exchange to implants in about 4 mos. Whatever you decide, all the best to you.
Lee__R
Community managerGood advisor
Thank you for sharing your advice and experience @pfout49. I am glad to here that all went well in your bilateral mastectomy!
1984survivor!
Good advisor
@jessiey - weigh the pros and cons and get second opinions from doctors. Definitely not an easy choice, but as the above poster mentioned, family history may also come in to play in your consideration. Wish you the best!
pal1210
Agree, weigh the pros and cons and consider family history. It is a personal choice. I opted to have a mastectomy, but have had second thoughts now. Wish I had gotten a second opinion and not rushed into having the surgery. Hindsight is after the fact, so look at what you think is best for you, prayers for you pink sister. Wishing you the best.
Newyork55
@pfout49 was the double extremely painful to go thru? I'm considering this as well. Thank you
Newyork55
@pal1210 May I ask why you had second thoughts now?
Give your opinion
Survey
Survey
Members are also commenting on...
Symptoms and complications of breast cancer
What was your age and what initial symptoms did you experience at onset?
Articles to discover...

10/26/2022 | Testimonial
Breast Cancer: “You don’t have to fit into anyone’s idea of what a woman should be”
Subscribe
You wish to be notified of new comments
You have been subscribed
jessiey
Good advisor
Hello everyone,
I had 4 cycles of two drugs of chemotherapy: FEC-T and Docetaxel; however, the doctor has recommended a mastectomy for my left breast, which is my affected side, and lymph node clearance, followed with radiation therapy from what I understand. However, nothing for my right breast. The doctor says I have an intermediate risk of cancer later in life appearing in the right breast.
The surgery is not scheduled because I am at a crossroads... I have the option to get both removed... would not I be better off just getting a double mastectomy so I do not have to go through all of this again, which is like a 60% chance? Or am I crazy?
Has anyone gone through this dilemma?
My current dilemma relates to surgery which is scheduled in about 7 weeks time, but not yet fixed, and what I perceive as the best treatment for me as the individual. I have always been upfront and said the best treatment for me is a mastectomy and Lymph node clearance on the affected side and a risk reducing mastectomy on the other side, I have intermediate/high risk genetically. I am certain to need radiotherapy and have opted for a later reconstruction.