I was just diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast.  Because I have a small breast and two areas of concerned which are spread out I was advised by multiple surgeons to do the mastectomy.  I have come to peace with that but am struggling with what I should do with my healthy breast.  Do I do a prophylactic mastectomy and be done with it, or do I keep my heathy breast which will need an implant to match my new breast on go on tomaxafen and have bi annual mammograms and annual MRI's for the rest of my life.  I am currently 44?  I keep going back and forth with my decision, but am ready to move on.  Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Checkers,
 
I can completely relate.  I was dx with DCIS in my left breast in June 08.  I have made the decision (I THINK!) for a bi-lateral mastectomy and am scheduled for my surgery September 16th.  I have read and reseached and basically it is just something you have to decide!  My Oncologist prefers to save the "healthy breast" while my Breast Surgeon leans towards the bi-lateral.  BUT both say I have to decide.  I did the genetic testing and to my suprise came back negative despite a strong family history including my mom dying of breast cancer at 38 (I am 37).  However, I still think that a bi-lateral is a wise decison for me.  I do not want to go through this worry with the other breast.  As you, my DCIS is too widespread (5 cm) to get a lumpectomy so the left breast has to go.  I too am struggling with this decision.  However, I think this was a red flag for me and almost a warning.  Although, I don't know that I feel "lucky" as some tell me because of it being DCIS but I am taking it as a warning sign.
 
Anyway, it is tough I know.  Email me if I can help with anything.
 
Take care, Cristl

DX: 6/2008
DCIS Left Breast 4.5-5cm
High nuclear grade with Focal Necrosis
Bi-laterial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 9/16/2008
During BLM found .4cm IDC
37 Years Old
Houston, Texas
ERPR+ HER2+
Node Negative
BRAC1/2 -

hi checkers,
that IS the million $ Question!
we discuss this over and over again.  We all have decided that it is a very personal and individual decision.  It may vary depending on your type and stage of breast cancer.  and on how yuo feel about losing your breasts.  I personally did ONE side, got an implant reconstruction, and then a reduction/lift on the other side for symmetry.
to be honest, i Love my new boobs...... they are so much better than the original pair! 
 
well, good luck with your decision, and keep us posted.
In the meantime, I will keep you in my prayers.
God bless you,  Breezy

But for the Grace of God
Oops, Michigan sister here!

I had a similar diagnosis and I was sooooooooo naive 4 years ago when I was diagnosed. I never even inquired about having a bi-lateral! I did, however have the single left-breast mastectomy. Even though my onc. feels that removing both breasts would be too drastic, I regret not doing it. I'm even considering removing the healthy one at some time (if not just for peace of mind).

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do...

39 years old
SIMI VALLEY, CA (Los Angeles area)
DCIS diag. 10/04, left breast mastectomy 12/04
ER/PR –, Her 2+, clear sentinel node, except one or two BAD micromets.
Did 6 rounds FEC chemo to insure those were gone, then 12 mos. of Herceptin.
8-year SURVIVOR...approaching 9 years since diagnosis!

Checkers,
Here are some things to think about while you make your decision.

1) Do you carry the gene for breast cancer?
You have time to have the test now. If you carry the gene, there
is reason to have the bilateral.

2) Losing a breast is not easy. Losing both of them can be
emotionally devastating and sexually impairing. (there - I said it.)
And it does not hit you until after treatment when you have to face the
quality of life issues. Some of us who have a mast. have chronic pain
in the chest and/or arm whether or not we have reconstruction.

3) If you have the bilateral, you can still have a recurrence. So see
an oncologist NOW while you are making your surgical decision. (The
medical professionals will tell you not to see an onc until after all
surgery. Don't listen to them. Go now!)

Take time to make your decision. An extra week or two will make no
difference to your prognosis but it will mean a great deal later.

Thank you all for your reply.  I have seen three oncologists at a multi modality clinic (medical and radiation)they concluded with my general surgeon after exam and reviewing all my mammograms that I would be ok with doing the unilateral but I would have to take tamoxafen for five years and have the biannual mammograms and annual MRI since I would do reconstruction and augmentation(R).  I guess I am concerned with the stats that I now have a 1 in 4 chance of getting the cancer in the other breast.  I am as okay as one can be with knowing that I do have to undergo a mastectomy, and am sure after the fact I will go through a range of emotions.  Thank GOD for family and friends.  I have a 4 year old son and want to make sure I give myself the best chance of being around to see all the milestones in his life.  I wish there were more conclusive stats one way or the other it would make the decision easier.  I did not get tested for the BRAC gene but meet with the genetic councelor who feels my probability of having the gene is very minimal.  I love all the feed back so please keep it coming.

Thanks,
Fran

Hi,
Sounds like we are at the same place at the same time.  Are you having reconstruction?  I plan on doing reconstruction right away.  I am scheduled for September 25, by then you will be up and about.  I am meeting with a support group on Monday to pick their brains, I'll fill you in if you want.  This is the hardest decision I have ever made in my life but I know the most important thing is to move forward and have no regrets for the final decision you made.  Good luck and keep smiling.

Hi Checkers
As the girls said "that decision can only be made by you". I only had a mastectomy on the right. I am a believer in if it ain't broke leave it alone. Some of the information I read also indicates you can have dcis for years and never have it become invasive. If I had the gene and a family history of breast cancer I might have made a different choice. We all have the same disease but because of many factors our treatment plans are totally different. Listen to your heart and go with what you feel is best foe you.

Linda 60 y/o
New Mexico
dx: may 2007
extensive DCIS, .26 cm IDC node neg
er/pr+ HER-2 neg margin+
stage 1 grade 2
lumpectomy 7/27/2007
re-excision 9/14/2007 margin +
mastectomy 11/2/07 R breast
Tamoxifen 11/16/07

Hey Checkers, I too have been in your shoes. I tossed it around quite a bit, and many members here shared their experiences. For me, my breast surgeon put it in perspective. He pointed out that if I was going to spend my time obsessing and worrying about developing bc in the other breast than I could do both breasts. However, I don't obsess over it.... I may even have the gene test (BRCA1) someday, but for now I can't imagine having both sides done. They look close enough for me in clothes.

Of course this is your choice, and you do have time to collect all the data necessary until you feel comfortable with your decision. Good luck, Kelly

Michigan- Dx: 3/07 Multi-focal DCIS
8/30/07- LB Mastectomy with expander
9/6- LB Invasive tumor, 1.8 cm discovered
9/19- oncotype 35
10/11- 11/29 Start 4 cycles of A/C, ER+, PR+, HER2-
4/08- Tamoxifen
5/29/08- Exhange- silicone implant

Checkers,
  I, too, was faced with this decision. It is a toughy. I went back and forth all the way up to the day before the surgery. However, I could do that only because my surgeon's nurse told me to schedule the bilateral for time in the Surgery room. I could always back down to unilateral  mastectomy.
   This is a very personal decision. Here is a tip. First make a list pros and cons for unilateral then pros and cons bilateral. Talk to your husband or significant other ask them what they think. Ultimately it is up to you but making them feel that their opinion counts doesn't hurt either. The symmetry is a pro. However, the lessened sensation does suck during sex. The less chance of recurrance when bilateral is performed. The con is that you are having a healthy breast removed. Perhaps, a MRI on the healthy breast would give you a better understanding and making sure that it is a healthy breast.
  The one good thing is that you were diagnosed with DCIS. It is stage 0. Yeah!!  If it is a true DCIS then it is contained in the ducts. Again, this is a good thing. However, it does need to be treated so it doesn't possibly develop into an invasive cancer.
 Best of luck,
HUgs,
Chris

42 years old
DCIS left Breast
ER+ 27%, PR -
Bilateral Mastectomy/ Immediate reconstruction w expanders 11/07/07
exchange silicone implants 6/19/08