What u said makes sense.
In my case, there was definitely cancer in the left breast and suspicious calcium deposits in the right. Basically my breast surgeon told me that if they come back positive, they're small enough where they could just cut them out....but with the other cancer would that be the route I'd want to take? They turned out to be deposits in the skin and completely benign.

In my case I wanted the cancer OUT....GONE; cosmetics are secondary. Having said that, it would make sense to get a double mastectomy, and reconstruction.

I wish u the best with whatever decision you make.

My cancer was only in my right breast but I tested positive for BRCA2 gene. (The results came back quickly - don't remember exactly how quickly.)

I figured that:
1. I didn't want to worry about it possibly returning in the other breast,
2. I wanted my reconstructed breasts to be even - both implants as opposed to one implant and one natural breast.

Good luck with this very personal decision.

Without your genetic testing being done, I'd think twice about it. It's easy to say go ahead but when you see yourself afterwards it's can be quite a shock. Think about it and ask your oncologist what they think. Wishing you luck with your decision

i already know im at a 5% risk because of my right breast ;
and that was before i found out about all the other cancers in my family. then the pathology report.
Dr. wont be in till monday so i'll just do what i do best and research and talk to ppl like you who know the REAL low down (so to speak)
will keep you updated.
and thanks for such quick replies.
at this point i think im becoming irritated.
im a make a plan and go from there kind of person most of the time.
now my plan keeps changing.
will be in pray for i still feel God leading, but you know how we are.
again thanks
you ppl are the best.

I so know where you're coming from tierra, after I found the lump I needed to keep planning, scheduling, calling, emailing, corresponding and taking the next step to stay sane. I wanted to move at the same pace post surgery and I was basically told I needed to chill out and heal first.....I like that a lot less. I know I'm going to need chemo and I have to wait until the 30th to meet the Oncologist for a plan. Then there's the completion of the reconstruction.
I gotta chill....sometimes I could chill but this one is hard for me.

so thats how it goes.
i thought you go to doctor see surgeon see other surgeon "get er done" and move into post-op phase.
wish i had better understanding of the usual procedure.
thanks for the insight.
it will make my change have more balance with expectations

The genetic testing takes about 4 months in USA .
Good luck .
Maxine

With a recurrence of cancer in Jan. 2009, I opted to have both breasts removed. I didn't want to deal with cancer any more and I wanted both breasts to look somewhat similar. Reality: My friend who also had both breasts removed just found out she has breast cancer for the third time. Same breast. This hit me like a rock. I guess you can still get cancer in the remaining left over tissue. Who knew? As for reconstruction: they look very, very different. Surgery after surgery and the cancer breast looks ok, except for all the scars. The right breast is flat, smaller, and lower, with horizontal waves and valleys. I am disappointed with my chose. So much additional pain for nothing. Please take some time with you decision. I know the doctors and the hospital will pressure you. Best of luck!

I had a double masectomy because the mri showed early suspicious signs of bilateral disease. I said from the beginning that I thought it would feel weird to only have one boob so I wasn't that upset by it. Maybe I'm unusual but I have been happy with that choice. It's pretty weird to have no boobs but at least they match.

well i have had my bilateral-skin saving- nipple saving surgery done since 3/29 and i am now debating on whether i want reconstruction as it came out looking rather well in my opinion.
I'll take my time if I do go ahead with it i don't want to be as big as I use to be. a good full C I don't know how many CC's that would take but right now im really focused on getting some strength and starting chemo since radiation is now off the table because of my wonderful surgery team!
you guys are such a wealth of info thanks 100x over.

In my case, my Mom had just died from breast cancer when I was diagnosised. She had never had the gene test. I chose to have the gene test for my 12 year old daughter's sake. I did not carry the gene, which really surprised me. I got my results in 10 days. I did have to pay $400, but they were easy to work with and I made payments with no interest. My cancer receptors were just about opposite of my Mom, she was ER & PR positive, mine are all negative. If you have strong family history the test will help determine the likelihood of reoccurence. I was like ktharp423, thinking I wanted the cancer out by having the breast removed. My oncologist suggested I leave the breast. If there is a reoccurence and there was no breast, it would likely reoccur on the chest wall and that is more dangerous, more likely to advance to lung and so forth. If there is a reoccurence in the breast, then it will come off. Always willing to help, listen and pray. Take care, Chris