Should i have a preventative mastectomy

See why one woman opted not to have reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy. I was mad at my body for not healing faster, depressed, and surprisingly lonely. Writing the book which was published in September by Seal Press also became cathartic. It helped me be honest about my feelings and work through some of the more difficult ones. Not until six months after the reconstructive surgery did I finally feel like my real self again. And yes, today, I love my cancer-free, 32B boobs.

I love the size, shape, and peace they provide. They don't look like the average woman's breasts, but I haven't had an average experience. After the show, people even came up and asked questions. The more I can talk—and make jokes—about my surgery, the more it will hopefully help others talk about it too. The BRCA mutation I have does still put me at risk for ovarian cancer, but I'm hopeful that the scientists studying this disease will soon have some new solutions.

Today, my research is all about finding the best formula to feed my baby. Weight Loss. Removing the ovaries causes a woman to go into menopause. This can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, loss of bone density, and anxiety or depression. They can help you estimate your risk based on your age, family history, and other factors.

If you are at increased risk, you might consider taking medicines that can help lower your risk. Your health care provider might also suggest you have more intensive screening for breast cancer, which might include starting screening at an earlier age or having other tests in addition to mammography. There are also other things that all women can do to help lower their risk of breast cancer, such as being active, staying at a healthy weight, and limit or avoiding alcohol.

Q: There has been a lot of information in the news lately about preventive mastectomy since Angelina Jolie's announcement. I have a strong family history of breast cancer. Should I consider having a similar operation? Q: What motivates women to have preventive mastectomies and when in their lives do they have them? A: Women who are at high hereditary risk for breast cancer due to a gene mutation may decide to have a preventive mastectomy because: They have young children, like Angelina Jolie, and want to increase the odds of being there to raise their children and see their grandchildren.

There is a diagnosis of breast cancer in a close family member, especially diagnosis at an early age. Some women think about the age at which a mother or grandmother developed breast cancer and decide to undergo a preventive mastectomy before they reach that age. For some women, the anxieties around screening increase over time, and they find that they want something more permanent so that they don't have to worry when it is time to have a breast MRI or mammogram.

Q: I don't know if I will be supported by some of my family members and friends if I choose to have this surgery. How do I deal with that? Q: How do partners feel about their wives or girlfriends having a preventive mastectomy? Related Stories. Prostate cancer survivor tells men to know their numbers. Prostate cancer and robotic surgery. How football star Steve Bartkowski beat colon cancer. View all related stories. Share this story.