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

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

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.

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

Perhaps not quite a win win.

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

[j*oono]

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.  

[purple_haize]

Yes...

[cherry*135]

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.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/my-medical-choice-20130514-2jjyu.html#ixzz2TGK2eRcN

[twinkles**stars]

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. 

[lis351]

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

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

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.

[azureline**]

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

[azureline**]

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!