Experiences with

Mastectomy

As none of the pills worked in shrinking the cancer it just kept growing, so went for a mastectomy which was successful. Because of my heart condition had to stay the night in hospital, I had no pain in fact apart from a scar and a drain I wouldn't have known the op had been done.

I am in my 60's, the woman I know who had mastectomy and reconstruction with same diagnosis and subtype is in her 30s. I hope it is not an age related decision. Any insights appreciated. Thanks everyone

Started cancer journey in 2015 had chemo and radiotherapy 2018 had a double mastectomy in May 2024 ………recovered quite well but now reality has set in and I’m struggling to get through day to day tasks and work .

I am 99% sure I don’t want radiation so I am leaning toward mastectomy. If I don’t do radiation, wouldn’t it be better to just do the reconstruction at the time of mastectomy? I feel I should have a double mastectomy because this cancer was not found on the diagnostics.

All my lymph nodes were removed during mastectomy operation 10yrs ago. Thank you. Mary.

Clothes shopping can be difficult as Ive had a mastectomy without reconstruction which is what I wanted. Im used to my body and love it just the same! Plus how can I complain its now 37 years since I had breast cancer, But I want the blubber gone so this is week 1.

Really what I would like to know is, those of you who have had a mastectomy, how did you cope emotionally with your situation. Thank you for listening! xx

All my lymph nodes were removed during mastectomy operation 10yrs ago. Thank you. Mary. I have posted the above in the lymphoedema site but not received any replies.

i have been told i need a mastectomy. my surgeon is refusing to perform a breast reconstruction due to my cirrhosis. i am distraught at the thought of being flat. i am glad to say the prognosis for the cancer is good. does anyone else have any experience of a major surgery with cirrhosis.

First diagnosed back in 2001 and had mastectomy, chemo, radiation and hormone therapy. Thought I was ok until 2015 when it came back. So will continue on my meds and be scanned again in 6 months. So there’s always hope!

I've had a bilateral mastectomy 19 years ago and very little padding/cushioning on my chest. Also skinnier than i've ever been. (It's that reduced diet - have cut out grain based foods, too hard to digest now) Interested in any similar experiences, thoughts. Thanks!

The pills i was on to shrinking the cancer in my breast didn't work, so had a mastectomy of my right breast and a biopsy of the lynthe nodes and everything is clear which is great news for me.

We know that the left side will be a mastectomy but are waiting for results on the right to decide the right course of action for the surgery. If I will have to have a double mastecomy then I am considering reconstruction but am scared. Has anyone done this and have thoughts?

I am BRCA2 positive and have a strong family history, I have had a double prophylactic mastectomy and tubes removed, however decided to keep my ovaries.

In 2022 I was diagnosed with repeat breast cancer in the same breast as before and had a left side mastectomy. After developing very high blood pressure I was put on various meds Bisoprolol, Valsartan, Amlodipine, Apixaban.

I have recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer and due to have a mastectomy within the next few weeks. I consulted a GP as to what I should do with my Pred dose, particularly on the day of the operation.

I am in my late 60's and was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and had mastectomy. The cancer had not spread. I could not have chemo due to having another condition and concerns about long term effects of one of the components of chemo, plus I was not suitable for radiotherapy.

It's seems the surgical option is a mastectomy or I live with what's happened and carry around a badly scarred, painful hard lump of a breast. More worryingly there is concern I have another cancer.

Last week I left a story of my journey so far which included several changes of treatment including a mastectomy and change from HER2- to HER 2+ and medication Phesgo causing issues with my heart therefore no more treatment until that was sorted.

Mastectomy and clearance of lymph nodes, radiation, chemo, herceptin, eight years of hormonal,therapy. Well and happy!