Can't you just screen more often?
Updated: Oct 20, 2021
Nope. I mean sure I could, but what good would that be? (my mom screened more often, clear, 6 months later tumor so big they couldn't even operate to take it out, and had time to spread. They only figure she had cancer for 3 months prior to diagnosis, and from then she only had 6 months)
Also I guarantee my mom would have wanted me to prevent cancer, rather than get sick, my mom would have wanted me around. My mom would have been there every step of the way and come to watch my kids while I recovered. My mom was the best mom ever.
Also I want to be there for my daughter if it turns out she has this gene mutation. (I'm very pissed off that they don't test for at least the 5 most common types of gene mutation if someone gets breast cancer ONCE, why they wait till it is too late, I just don't understand)
Also, I don't like the unknown, the upside down. If you've met me you are aware I am type A. (maybe C also, which I guess makes me x)
I like to know the plan, I like to research, to know what questions to ask, to ask other people in my situation what is what. I like to have time to research and investigate all options, terms, procedures, etc... and come to peace with them.
If I don't do have a mastectomy then I wont have that planning chance, that practical chance, instead I will just be blindsided.
I catastrophize, it's a thing I do. I'm trying to stop but lets be honest, right now it's driving me insane that I don't yet have an MRI appt. How much more would it drive me crazy to constantly be waiting for my next mammogram, my next screening, wondering the day after my results from the last one if I have cancer yet.
It could one day... (well 60% chance it will one day) be, oh hey BTW, you have cancer, and have no options we need to cut you up in a week... (IF it's even small enough to cut out. Could be oh hey you have cancer, you're gonna die next year). And so being that I am no good at the in between, the only answer for me is to avoid surprise, and have a double mastectomy.
https://www.hbocsociety.org/home-1.html
All cancer is the result of gene mutations. Mutations may be caused by aging, exposure to chemicals, radiation, hormones or other factors in the body and the environment.
An increasing number of cancers are known to be hereditary. This means that they are related to a specific gene mutation that is passed down (inherited) in a family. A person who is born with this type of mutation has it in every cell in his/her body, including the eggs or sperm. This means it may be passed down to the next generation. Individuals who inherit such gene mutations have a higher risk of developing certain forms of cancer as compared to the general population. Inherited gene mutations help to explain why, in some families, we see more people than expected with certain kinds of cancer.
Gene carriers who are at high risk of breast cancer, removal of both breasts is often recommended prophylactically (preventatively). The need for frequent surveillance, numerous biopsies, and the fear of developing cancer can be reduced, if not eliminated, with prophylactic mastectomy. Most statistics report the procedure reduces breast cancer risk by up to 95-98%
