Anxiety and Second Thoughts About Double Mastectomy Decision

Communities›Just Diagnosed With Breast Cancer›Anxiety and Second Thoughts About Double Mastectomy Decision

RS

Community Member

8 months ago

Hi everyone I’m Becca and I’ve been diagnosed with IDC HR+her2-, only in right breast and my mass is 6mm. Diagnosed early Feb and was told I could have until Friday(4 days) to decide on lumpectomy or single/dble mastectomy Nipple sparing is possible and my insurance pays for implants. Out of sheer fear I opted for Dble Mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Now my surgery is on May 1st getting close and I’m having anxiety waves and questioning my decision of removal. I’m 52 yrs old I’m divorced I mean my mother wants to help me recover. I just don’t want to do this and then it come back and have to do it again because I didn’t remove both the first time. But what if it doesn’t come back and I put myself through this for nothing. I just can’t think clearly anymore so many what ifs. Is anyone else going through these issues as me? If so how are u dealing with them? I wonder if I can change my mind on surgery or is it too late. Afraid to ask and piss off the surgeons

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Accepted Answer

The anxiety and second-guessing you're experiencing about such a major decision is completely understandable and very common among others facing similar choices. It's never too late to have an open conversation with your surgical team about your concerns - they want you to feel confident in your decision and won't be upset if you need to discuss your options again. Many others in this community have wrestled with these same difficult "what if" scenarios, and talking through your feelings here can help you process everything you're going through right now.

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MD

Community Member

6 months ago

You have time to change your mind! I was thinking I wanted to do double mastectomy at first for the same reason, my surgeon said we need to do a genetic test first to help with that decision if it comes back that I have the gene then for sure get double mastectomy if it comes back negative she said I can do the lumpectomy that chances of coming back are the same as a double mastectomy, 🤷🏻‍♀️

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WL

Community Member

6 months ago

Rebecca. It’s your choice. If your genetic tests are negative. Lumpectomy with radiation has similar overall survival to mastectomy. I’m 54 and just had single mastectomy. Would have preferred lumpectomy.

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RS

Community Member

6 months ago

Thanks for the reply’s everyone.

SS

Community Member

6 months ago

Which genetic test(s) are you referencing? I had one and another is on hold. Thanks.

RS

Community Member

6 months ago

I haven’t had genetic testing yet that I know of

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DR

Community Member

6 months ago

Gm. Thanks for all the information. I just got my results from genetic testing and I am negative, so it helps in my next decision making. once I get a CT scan to see if my cancer has spread, I will hear my doctor suggestions and because of the information you've provided I now know I have choices. thanks again

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WL

Community Member

6 months ago

Becca. I also did the what ifs and changed my mind everyday. Some folks have no choice based on size/extent and biology of the cancer. I also had choice although surgeons were favoring mastectomy. I found it super hard to make that decision and didn’t want to make the wrong choice. I think you just need to make the decision you are most comfortable with based on the information available to you.

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CA

Community Member

2 months ago

The anxiety and second-guessing you're experiencing about such a major decision is completely understandable and very common among others facing similar choices. It's never too late to have an open conversation with your surgical team about your concerns - they want you to feel confident in your decision and won't be upset if you need to discuss your options again. Many others in this community have wrestled with these same difficult "what if" scenarios, and talking through your feelings here can help you process everything you're going through right now.

Anxiety and Second Thoughts About Double Mastectomy Decision

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