Can I Still Get Breast Cancer After a Bilateral Mastectomy?

I have gone thru the same thing bilateral mastectomy and no other treatment other than hormone therapy. The Dr said that they have had many studies that the 5 year therapy cuts your chances of getting cancer back by 60 percent. Also, less than that was much less successful.

I am her 2 Had surgery . Clean nodes clean margins . Oncologists says no other treatment needed

It’s always a choice, talk to your doctor, if you are not completely satisfied with the explanation go for second or third option. You decide what’s best for you! 💕 I was diagnosed at 43 with triple positive IDC. Had chemo, single mastectomy, no radiation, followed by estrogen blocker (tamoxifen) for 4 years and aromatase inhibitor for 3. I had a rough year going through early menopause. Then I had to have a hysterectomy which made it even harder. I thought I was out of the woods and then cancer came back in the same breast, again hormone and HER2 positive. Luckily it was caught before getting to other parts. We don’t always know what future holds, but we know our bodies and what is best for us. For me these additional therapies are like an insurance policy - research shows that they help reduce the risk of recurrence. In my case it didn’t help 100% but maybe it slowed down the process. I followed my doctor’s recommendation because I trusted them and they were looking out for me. Hope you have a medical team that supports you and helps you with your decision 🍀

I was diagnosed at 70, Her2/Neu, 3+, >90, under 1 cm. I had a DMX. It was fully encapsulated, no lymph node, skin or tissue spread. My doctor recommended 12 chemotherapy, a year of Herceptin, DMX, no radiation.

I also am HER2+. Diagnosed in 12/2024. Right breast mastectomy on 3/6/25. I’m clear but oncologist said I could do nothing or have chemo and herceptin which is targeted therapy for this type of cancer because there could be micro HER2 cells remaining. I’m inclined to proceed with recommended treatment but still vacillating. Where are you located? I’m on Long Island NY

I am in Illinois . Het2 positive only .2 mm tumor

I was diagnosed in 12/24 biopsy Christmas Eve HER2+ Stage 1 Grade I. Lumpectomy 1/28/25 only 1 node, negative margins and negative sentinel mode, 15 radiation treatments and 5 years Tamoxifen. Radiation Oncologist said recommendations for next mammogram is 6 months after radiation but I’m so nervous about waiting. I really trust my team of physicians but actually relinquishing the control of letting them take care of it versus me having control over my care is driving me crazy.

These are really important questions to discuss with your oncology team, as they can provide guidance based on your specific situation and pathology results. While bilateral mastectomy significantly reduces breast cancer risk, it's wonderful that you're staying proactive about your health and thinking about long-term care. Your medical team will be the best resource for discussing whether hormone therapy is right for you, considering factors like your overall health and cancer characteristics. Have others in this community found it helpful to prepare a list of questions before their follow-up appointments?