Would you do it?

[i-need-a-martini]

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

[twinkles**stars]

unless you have private insurance you would have to pay for elective sugery. 

[freddie*rooster]

Even with a Health Care Card, the out of pocket expense for women with BC is high, I wonder how those without savings get by.

[bright.ton42]

My doctor told me this morning that if you go to a Cancer Clinic

then it's probably covered by Medicare if the risk factor is 

considered high enough. It would possibly only be considered

as elective if the risk factors arent high and the patient chooses

to have it done despite that.  

In answer to the OPs question I would say yes, without hesitation

(if I could afford it) 

[freddie*rooster]

With a positive diagnoses of BC it's the specialists, the radiation, chemo and all the different scans and tests they do which adds up to $$$ the actual surgical procedure and hospitalisation is done under medicare thank goodness.

[polksaladallie]

Most certainly, especially if Brad was there with me.   😛

[twinkles**stars]

$10 000 out of pocket for me who at the time had private cover. a friend was several thousand out of pocket through the public sector.......parking cost a small fortune. I was thankful that I got to chose my local private hospital for treatment rather than the public one some 30k's away

[azureline**]

No out of pocket expenses for me except for travelling to Brisbane for 6 weeks of radiation (2 hours from home at the time) and a small charge for accommodation for my OH.

Chemo locally (45 mins from home), no private insurance, no HCC. All covered by medicare.

I was recently offered a reconstruction which would mean bi lateral, to make even......... and all covered by medicare.

I declined the offer. I felt it was not worth the risk.... (infection possibility etc)

[Anonymous]

Yes ..in a heart beat !

A close friend chose to do this AND have a full hysterectomy as she had a gene that put her at high risk also .

she was under 40 ATT. 😞

[twinkles**stars]

I was also offered a reconstruction but declined. 

[Anonymous]

sick of hearing about it.

knowing Jolie its all about [good] publicity. 'look what I did!'

adopt the third world Ange, if it makes you feel better