When you find out Bjrose please let me know! My nan had a double masectomy because of Breast Cancer then she had tumors on her ovaries and her uterus so has also had them taken out, her mum died of Breast Cancer at the age of 55 so it would be good to know if I have the gene!
Mum and her sisters get checked every year but are still unsure about getting genetic testing done!
I reckon the best defence is knowing whats to come!
Your GP should be able to help as a first point of contact. They may refer you to a Familial Cancer Centre to assess your risk. It is quite a complex process with counselling involved too not just a blood test IYKWIM.
In Melbourne some contacts are;
Monash Medical Centre Familial Cancer Centre
Royal Melbourne Hospital Familial Cancer Centre
Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute Familial Cancer Centre
Genetic Health Services Victoria Familial Cancer Centre
or call the Cancer Council Victoria, Information and Support Service
GL
Last edited by Mak; August 11th, 2009 at 12:24 PM.
: spelling!!!
I was wondering the same thing... thanks girls I also would consider a double mastectomy. I have finished BF (I fed for a total of 4 years). I am only an A cup so maybe it wouldn't be as traumatic... would consider maybe getting B cup implants as a consolation prize! Can you have implants after a mastectomy???
Yep Bath if you are having a prophylactic (ie precautionary) mastectomy, you can have a 'skin sparing mastectomy' with implants immediately. Well sometimes they have to put an expander in (same shape as the implant, but flatter) and then inject saline into it every few weeks to stretch everything so that the tissue/muscle etc is the right size for the implant, and then finally you have surgery where they exchange the expander for the implant you're having. Implants are particularly suited to smaller breasts and give a great result when you're having both boosies done at once.
For larger breasts you can have reconstruction done using tissue from behind your shoulder or your tummy - with or without a small implant - this gives a softer breast with a more natural hang, and they also gain/loose weight when you do.
In the event of, you need to discuss with a surgeon the risks/benefits of keeping your own nipples. Nipples can also be reconstructed with or without a tattoo for areola colour.
Yes you sure can! I think you have spacers put in at the mastectomy surgery which stretch the skin gradually and then the implants are put in later. Details a bit vague but I know of women that have had that done.
ETA - Snap MD but you have explained it MUCH better!
Completely understandable!!! I have seen some great reconstructions, you would never even guess - it is so different now to what most people imagine (usually based on horror stories from 20 years ago).
Thanks for sharing your expertise with everyone! I wish you a speedy and uncomplicated recovery later in the year.
Thankyou guys for all of that. I didn't consider a masectomy, but its given me more to think about if I am genetically likely to get it. & its great to hear about implants too...it kind of scared me when I first read that you would do it megiemoppet. It would by far be the best answer, but the thought of doing it myself...I don't know.
It was my paternal grandmother & she only had 3 sons, so its kind of hard to determine just from family history repeating iykwim. My sister already has some AF related problems that are similar to what Grandma had, but we really know nothing about it. Pop won't speak about it & I really don't think they'd have had much Idea anyway. It was the 50s/60s, so not sure what they really knew back then. The only reason we know there were problems of that kind is because for some reason Pop blames Dad. (Her 2nd born.) I don't know if that means it started after he was born or what...there's never been any sort of explanation.
So I'd have to wait til after I finish BFing. OK, cool.
Bath - I like your bigger boobie idea I shouldn't complain being a C, but I have a feeling most of that's milk
MD - Thankyou for your personal insight. I really hope all goes well for you!!
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I also would consider a double mastectomy. I have finished BF (I fed for a total of 4 years). I am only an A cup so maybe it wouldn't be as traumatic... would consider maybe getting B cup implants as a consolation prize! Can you have implants after a mastectomy???
I shouldn't complain being a C, but I have a feeling most of that's milk
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