Wow!

Firstly let me say I take you seriously and I certainly don't think you are crazy, quite the opposite in fact, I think you are being totally rational and forward thinking.

I have had breast cancer, was diagnosed at 32y.o. so classed as "young". The thing is breast cancer doesn't care about your age, it doesn't discriminate on race, religion, it doesn't care about whether you've had children, are married and as the incidence in men is rising it doesn't even care what sex you are!

My heartfelt advice for you...

Before you go down this path there is one very important detail to find out - and that is if your Mum and Aunt are carrying the gene fault associated with breast and ovarian cancer called BRCA1/BRCA2. This is a gene change or fault that is inherited and if you possess this gene change then the risk of deveoping breast cancer at some stage in your life is increased. It is important for you to know crrying this gene change DOES NOT mean you will get breast cancer or ovarian cancer it means you are at increased risk.

Speak to a family cancer centre, they can arrange counselling for you and help you make this decision and also arrange the blood test to check for the gene fault. There are 4 family cancer centres in Melbourne and I'm sure there would be others in rural locations.

Austin Health Genetics Service
Austin Hospital, Studley Road, Heidelberg 3084
Tel: (03) 9496 3027

The Peter Mac Familial Cancer Centre
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne 3000
Tel: (03) 9656 1199


The RMH Familial Cancer Centre
The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan St, Parkville 3050
Tel: (03) 9342 7151 Fax:

The Southern Health Familial Cancer Centre
Southern Health / Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168
Tel: (03) 9594 2009

The surgeon I see for my regular check ups in Melbourne is wonderful and very understanding, I'm sure you would like her. Her name is Dr Jenny Senior and she is based at Cabrini Private Hospital, Suite 7, Cabrini Medical Centre, 183 Wattletree Road, MALVERN VIC 3144, Phone: 03 9576 0617.

If you do go ahead with this I can also recommend another surgeon specialising in breast reconstruction following breast cancer Dr Gillian Farrell based at Cabrini Medical Centre, Suite 4, 243 New Street, BRIGHTON VIC 3186, Phone: 03 9591 0255.

Lastly I wish you all the very best with this decision. It's one which is so incredibly hard to make and so very personal.

Remember you are not crazy, your fears are legitimate and keep shouting until you are heard. It could save your life....xxxx

If you want to chat feel free to PM me.