• Topic
• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Choosing not to have breast reconstruction >> Choosing not to have breast reconstruction

Choosing not to have breast reconstruction

• Clip
• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Gillian - Interview 49 >> Gillian was diagnosed with DCIS at a follow-up appointment in which she was given a mammogram.

Gillian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, aged 51. She had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen and Arimidex. In 2007 she was diagnosed with DCIS. She had a mastectomy and immediate LD flap reconstruction, and chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 30 - 49 >> Tess - Interview 53 >> Tess had a family history of breast cancer. Two years after her first mastectomy, she had a second one and breast reconstruction. She was happy with t

When Tess was diagnosed with breast cancer, aged 33, she also found out she was pregnant. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and tamoxifen and Herceptin. She later had a second mastectomy with immediate breast recontsruction, and had her ovaries removed.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Gillian - Interview 49 >> Gillian felt slightly rushed into deciding whether to have breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy. She had only just been diagnosed wi

Gillian was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, aged 51. She had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen and Arimidex. In 2007 she was diagnosed with DCIS. She had a mastectomy and immediate LD flap reconstruction, and chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Ingrid - Interview 48 >> Ingrid was happy with her reconstruction but has had discomfort in her shoulder since having radiotherapy. Lymph drainage massage has helped.

Ingrid was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, aged 58. She had a mastectomy with immediate LD flap reconstruction. She also had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Arimidex. During chemotherapy, Ingrid had a bi-lateral pulmonary embolism.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Janet - Interview 50 >> Janet had both breasts reconstructed after a lumpectomy and is very happy with how they look.

Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She was told she’d need a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Janet chose to have chemotherapy before surgery and was able to have a lumpectomy instead. She also had tamoxifen and Femara.

• Condition
• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Breast Cancer in women

Publication date:  December 2001    Last updated: June 2010

Review date: June 2012

 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and occurs in rare cases in men. We interviewed 53 people about their experiences of breast cancer. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

 

See also... Breast screening and Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Breast reconstruction >> Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Breast reconstruction >> Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Choosing not to have breast reconstruction >> Choosing not to have breast reconstruction

Choosing not to have breast reconstruction

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 30 - 49 >> Interview 22 >> Explains that she had a lumpectomy followed by a partial reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Had a lumpectomy and partial reconstruction. Was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 30 - 49 >> Interview 22 >> Discusses the options she was given for breast surgery and chemotherapy.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Had a lumpectomy and partial reconstruction. Was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 30 >> Comments on why she opted not to have breast reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Under went a mastectomy and was given radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 29 >> Explains that she had breast reconstruction and was considering nipple reconstruction.

Diagnosed with Paget's disease in 1998. Under went a mastectomy and reconstruction and was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 70 and Over >> Interview 31 >> Explains that she had a reconstruction over 20 years ago that was very successful.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977. Was given a double mastectomy with reconstruction.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 70 and Over >> Interview 35 >> Comments that while she would not want reconstruction at her age she feels it would be different for someone younger.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1979. Underwent a mastectomy and was given radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 38 >> Discusses her reasons for wanting reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Underwent a mastectomy and was given chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 39 >> Describes her experience of having a reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, under went a mastectomy and reconstruction.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 42 >> Explains why she had to have two reconstructive operations.

Diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1997. Was given chemotherapy, a mastectomy with reconstruction, followed by radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 43 >> Comments that she was wary of further problems and chose not to have breast reconstruction.

A malignant lump was found and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982, underwent a mastectomy and was given Tamoxifen. In 1996 another malignant lump was found and she under went a further mastectomy. The Tamoxifen was continued.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 30 - 49 >> Interview 14 >> Explains that she did not want breast reconstruction because it involves using other areas of the body.

Found a malignant lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982. Underwent a mastectomy and was given radiotherapy. In 2000 diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) and was given a another mastectomy.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 16 >> Explains why she chose not to have a reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Underwent a mastectomy and was given Tamoxifen and Zoladex.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 50 - 69 >> Interview 18 >> Explains that she is happy with a prosthesis and does not want a reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Underwent a mastectomy and was given chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.

• Cancer >> Breast Cancer in women >> Women 30 - 49 >> Interview 19 >> Explains why she wants breast reconstruction.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Under went a mastectomy and was given chemotherapy and Tamoxifen.