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breast screening Hello All,
I wondered if anyone could give me their advice please? I was told that I have the BRCA2 mutation in August last year and have since gone on to have an oopherectomy.
I visited my breast surgeon in February who advised me to have prophylactic mastectomies with reconstruction and went on to refer me to the plastic surgeon who would be doing the reconstruction. I saw the plastic surgeon last week who has told me that her waiting list is 12 -18 months. I\'m happy with this as I need to get myself prepared for the op, but I wondered if I could have some increased breast screening over the next 12-18 months.
I already have yearly mammograms, but wondered about MRI scans or ultrasounds, can anyone give me their advice on this please or is there anyone out there with the BRCA genes and what type of screening are you having or what did you have?
Many thanks,
Lynne
hi Lynne B Hi there,
I have just had the first of my prophylatic mastectomies. I waited about two years after being advised to.
Are you under a genetic counsellor/specialist? They should be able to help you sort out a screening programme. Mine got me referred for MRI screening.
I ended up paying to have six monthly ultra-sounds, this wasn\'t recommended I just found it more reasurring.
Good luck
Joolz
Thanks for the advice Hi Joolz,
Thanks for your advice, its been really helpful. I had a meeting last week to discuss screening , but I have had better news, I have a date for my mastectomies and TRAM, amazing after the meeting, its the 25th July THIS YEAR!, when I was told the waiting list was 12 to 18 months!!!
Good luck with your reconstruction and I hope that you\'re recovering well from the first op.
Take care,
Lynne x
Lynneb With regards to MRI screening, Addenbrookes Hospital tried to get my local hospital to offer me MRI breast screening where I had been having my mammograms, but even though they had a MRI scanner they refused due to costs and availablility. So the genetic team at Addenbrookes and I discussed my concerns with the surgeon who done my oopherectomy operation at Addenbrookes in September 2005 and he arranged for me to have MRI screening through a trial bases up at Addenbrookes hospital which is a 1 1/2 hrs drive away, however Addenbrookes is also a research hospital and I had been previously involved in numerous other trials for research into cancer. I had my first MRI screening in January 2006 and it detected cysts and a small 4mm lump in my breast which was solid so they did futher biopsy and found it was non cancerous. ( please note I am only stating my personal experience and everyone elses does differ, and it does depend on circumstances) As someone has already stated you really need to talk to genetic team and also the surgeon who done your operation, you could also write to your local hospital ( if they have a MRI scanner to see if their budget allows this service to be offered). You could also talk to the people where you get your mammogram or Gp to see if they know of a hospital which comes under your area to see if there are any willing to offer you this option.
To Lynne B Hi Lynne,
That\'s great news that they\'ve brought forward your operation. Where are you having it done? I am now four weeks past my mastectomy and reconstruction and I feel fine -the next one is booked for five weeks time. They did mine using my back muscle so a bit different to yours. I am definately very pleased with the cosmetic results so far - good luck let us know how you get on.
Joolz
Good News Hi Lynn - Great news that they\'ve brought your operation forward - I\'m sure you just want it over and done with now.
Joolz - I also had the lat dorsi operation and am also really pleased with how my new boobs look (I had both done at the same time but was in a slightly different position as I needed a mastectomy a year before).
Unfortunately I had some trouble with my back after the op - the wound opened up - so I have quite a large area of scarring on part of my back. I saw my plastic surgeon last week and he wants me to go in again to get it fixed up - he\'ll give me a general anaesthetic and do nipple reconstruction at the same time as sorting my back out. Don\'t much like the idea of going into hospital again, but will be nice to get the best possible result so I\'ll definitely go ahead with it.
Cheers
Sue
x
thank you Thanks Joolz, I\'m having it done at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham (I had my oopherectomy and hysterectomy there) and am pleased with that, the staff were fantastic with my last op. I am nervous about the whole thing and yes Suefab I just would like to get it over and done with, I\'ll be asking loads of questions.... I cant quite believe it at the moment.... both of you are you having any type of screening now that you\'ve had your reconstructions???
Good luck Joolz with your second op, please keep in touch and let me know how you are.
Good luck Sue, nevermind just think of the results and then you will have it all behind you, let me know when you are going in.
Take care both
Lynne x
Hello Hi
SueB- good luck with your next op. I have been surprised at just how uncomfortable my back has been at times, although I\'ve had no trouble with the wounds which have healed nicely. One thing I am a bit concerned about is soreness under my arm and my new boob seems to bulge a lot underneath the arm and feel a bit lumpy. I have been reassured that this is all normal. I\'m not used to being a patient so going into hospital again in five weeks time is not a nice thought-but hey it\'s all worth it in the end!
Lynne B- I think I know which team you will have and if it\'s who I think it is they are the best. I definately think I know who your plastic surgeon is, I\'m pretty sure she has done mine. She is very good and you are in safe hands. I heard women come from all over the country to see her.
As regards screening- I haven\'t been told that I still need breast screening, I will have to ask. I think they might recommend it as there is still a risk (but greatly reduced ) of breast cancer. I know at some point I will need to look into ovarian screening too. Can anyone tell me their thoughts on this!? Probably a whole new topic!
Joolzc
You\'ve really reassured me Joolz, you\'ve really reassured me about my plastic surgeon... Mrs Kat? I hope thats who you\'re on about. I have seen some pics of the surgery that shes done and they looked impressive. Thank you for reassuring me.
Ovarian screening, well I did have some, a little while back now, it was done by ultrasound (it was done internally, although wasn\'t uncomfortable) and it was done annually, however I was told by the genetics department, although this is useful, it isn\'t the best as it usually only picks up things once they are advanced. I had mine done annually. Its a big decision to make and if you choose to have an oopherectomy you run the risk of osteoporosis!!!! another subject
Too much to think about isn\'t there really
I have been fine so far since my oopherectomy, I have\'nt had any flushes , the only thing I have had is breast tenderness like before I would have a period, but I do worry whats happening with my bones.
Anyway will leave it there,
Thanks again,
Lynne