The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #150793   Message #3517758
Posted By: Joybell
21-May-13 - 06:03 PM
Thread Name: Prophylactic cancer surgery - Angelina Jolie
Subject: RE: Prophylactic cancer surgery - Angelina Jolie
I made the same decision 16 years ago. Here in Australia, as a pensioner, all my treatment was free. Because my family didn't have enough affected women -- my mother, her sister and me my daughters didn't qualify for genetic testing.   They might now because it's become more affordable. I'm nagging them.
My mother had primary tumours in both breasts with a gap of several years between each cancer. Her sister had the same. My post-surgery tests showed abnormal cells in both breasts. The kind of cells that would have led to the same aggressive type of breast cancer that killed my mother.
Reconstruction surgery has problems that need to be well considered. I'm not sorry I tried it but it wasn't for me. We need those stories out there too.
Onward and upward
Joy