If cancer is found in one breast of a young woman, and a mastectomy is recommended, would you ever recommend a bilateral mastectomy for any reason?

Perhaps preventative or cosmetic purposes?

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drbreastsurgery (Physician - Surgery - Surgical Oncology (Verified) ) - 06 / 19 / 2011

a mastectomy to the other/non-cancer breast is not an unreasonable option. a proper work-up should be done prior to this, such as the genetic testing mentioned above. perhaps also an MRI to check that other/non-cancer breast. the mastectomy for the other/non-cancer breast would be done for preventive or cosmetic reasons. it does not affect the patient's long term outcome or prognosis which is determined by the stage of the actual breast cancer (the breast that is getting the mastectomy to treat cancer).

DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) ) - 07 / 08 / 2011

While removing the healthy breast in general will not impact overall survival as mentioned above, having reconstruction of both breasts at the same time can lead to a better cosmetic result. Sometimes the psychological benefit to the patient in knowing that her risk of developing a new cancer is significantly reduced (after both breasts are removed) makes this the operation of choice. However it is a decision that should be made with a lot of thought and support.
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member5802 (High Risk Individual) - 06 / 19 / 2011

If the woman is young (i.e. pre-menopause) and has any family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer (on the maternal or paternal side of the family), she should consider genetic counseling and testing. Genetic testing can determine if she carries an inherited genetic mutation that caused her cancer. In that case, a bilateral mastecomy is recommended because her chances of getting cancer in the unaffected breast are very high.

member5598 (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 08 / 2011

I had cancer in both breasts. My right one had to go. The left I could have kept and had a lumpectomy on. I said no way. This was not an option for me. I said take them both. It was an easy decision for me. I did not want to have to worry about going through more surgeries. I wanted the breasts to look the same so I had them both removed. My plastic surgeon was phenomenal. I got bigger and better. I figured if I had to go through this then I am getting the boobies I want. :)

Elynjacobs (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 08 / 2011

I had cancer in my left breast, needed a mastectomy,but opted for a bilat. I was 45 at the time with two small boys who I wanted to see grow up. My mother was losing her battle of 13 years, so that was on my mind. I realize that mastecomy is no guarantee that the cancer will not return, but I also felt that if i simply had a cosmetic implant put in the other breast, it might be harder to find a new cancer, especially given my dense breast issue.I also did not want to be lopsided, so I thought it best to have both custom-designed to match (ha,ha). Like Suzanne, if I was to suffer through this, I should get the boobies i want.

regrounding (Survivor (5 - 10 years)) - 07 / 10 / 2011

I agree that, for me personally, this was as much a psychological issue as anything. Yes, I believe I got a better cosmetic result which was a bonus, but having had lobular, it was my understanding that there was a higher rate of occurrence on the prophylactic side (Docs, is this still what the studies are saying? I haven't kept up on that one!) Like Elyn I was young (35) with a 3 1/2 year old so my decision. On the other hand, I tested BRCA negative. The good news for me is that while we know there are no guarantees, my pathology in the "healthy" breast was not good, so no regrets. However, what I was unable to take into account is what it would mean down the road to have lost both nipples and almost all sensation in both breasts, and that loss is often part and parcel with intimacy. YES, I am glad to be alive, and yes it was a price worth paying. But I might have processed it differently at the time, and involved my husband in more of the decision, had I thought that part through...
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