topic Re: Would you do it? in Community Spirit

Would you do it?

i-need-a-martini — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:06:05 GMT

Would you have a double mastectomy to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Angelina Jolie did after doctors told her she had an 87% chance of developing the disease.

It's a pretty drastic thing to do. I'm not sure I would do it though. But then again I don't have a family history like hers.

You?

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/my-medical-choice-20130514-2jjyu.html

Re: Would you do it?

crystal**flake — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:13:26 GMT

Yep in a second, its not like she didn't get them replaced.

Re: Would you do it?

i-need-a-martini — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:57 GMT

I haven't read it all Crystal but I think she has only just had it done.

Re: Would you do it?

azureline** — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:16:00 GMT

No, doesn't matter what percentage you are told, it is not a guarantee you will get it at all. My daughter was told she has a 95% chance.

Re: Would you do it?

cherry*135 — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:17:26 GMT

I probably would if there was family history of breast cancer. I have read about others who have had this done, those whose mother, grandmother,aunts had breast cancer.

Re: Would you do it?

buzzlightyearsgirlfriend — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:19:20 GMT

Yes.

Re: Would you do it?

crystal**flake — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:21:08 GMT

She now has the same percentage of getting breast cancer as any other woman. I read too that she has a huge chance of getting ovarian cancer too.

Re: Would you do it?

azureline** — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:24:00 GMT

I am in a high risk group for getting ovarian cancer too but so far, nothing has come of it. Is 5% for BC the same for everyone?

Re: Would you do it?

Anonymous — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:25:37 GMT

of course.

....like Angie isnt going to have a great pair of fakies. its a win win

Re: Would you do it?

catsnknots — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:27:42 GMT

I think she is a pretty amazing woman... I admire her ethical stand on a lot of issues and I think that so soon after having this surgery she needs to be applauded for making it public...

She only had the procedure in April...

I am not sure but I think she could have had breast augmentation right away????

She probably had to make it public pretty quick because as she is hounded by the paparazzi and they would have commented on a boob job any time soon.

Re: Would you do it?

buzzlightyearsgirlfriend — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:35:01 GMT

Is 5% for BC the same for everyone?

If you breastfed your babies for an extended period of at least a year you can perhaps reduce your risk.

Google it - I'm not C&P massive amounts of text and studies and whatnot to prove my opinion.

Re: Would you do it?

buzzlightyearsgirlfriend — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:36:37 GMT

Perhaps not quite a win win.

I imagine she perhaps went through a lot of soul searching, grief and struggle before she decided.

Re: Would you do it?

j*oono — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:37:18 GMT

At first I thought no, I'd just get extra checks, but I didn't know she had already lost her mother to breast cancer. Maybe so.

Re: Would you do it?

purple_haize — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:40:28 GMT

Yes...

Re: Would you do it?

cherry*135 — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:42:08 GMT

Taken from the link:

On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved.
During that time I have been able to keep this private and carry on with my work. But I am writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience

My own process began with a procedure known as a ''nipple delay,'' which rules out disease in the breast ducts behind the nipple. This causes some pain and a lot of bruising, but it increases the chance of saving the nipple.

Two weeks later I had the major surgery, where the breast tissue is removed and temporary fillers are put in place. The operation can take eight hours.

Nine weeks later, the final surgery is completed with the reconstruction of the breasts with an implant.

There have been many advances in this procedure in the past few years, and the results can be beautiful.

Re: Would you do it?

twinkles**stars — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:44:54 GMT

neither of my daughters would consider it despite myself and my mother having had breast cancer. my specialist also does not recommend such drastic steps.

Re: Would you do it?

lis351 — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:51:37 GMT

Yes, if I felt the risk was high enough, if I was concerned enough, I would definitely consider it.

Re: Would you do it?

buzzlightyearsgirlfriend — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:52:28 GMT

Twinkles have your daughters had genetic testing to predict their chances?

Angelina had an 87% chance based on genetic testing. In the SMH article she said: "but the truth is I carry a ''faulty'' gene, BRCA1". So it does appear she had genetic testing.

Re: Would you do it?

azureline** — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:59:17 GMT

Australian women have a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer which increases with age.

I can understand women who have a diagnosed malignancy having a mastectomy but not a percentage based risk.

more than 89% of women who have BC survive it.
89% of women who have BC

Re: Would you do it?

azureline** — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:27 GMT

Australian women have a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer which increases with age.

I can understand women who have a diagnosed malignancy having a mastectomy but not a percentage based risk.

more than 89% of women who have BC survive it.

ignore that last one, that was weird!