Family history and genetics
In my case, there is no family history of breast cancer. No one in my family, neither on my father’s or mother’s side has had breast cancer.
My genetic results did not indicate any gene mutation that predisposes me to be at a higher risk of developing it. However, I had it and at a very young age, long before I needed to have annual mammograms or some type of annual monitoring.
Age and type of cancer
At 28 years old, my body already knew how to develop abnormal cells that created a tumor and later cancer cells. If so early in my life my body already had this capacity, my chances of developing some other cancer in the same breast or even in the other were too high. If we assume that I would live to 80 years, for example, they are too high.
Medications and side effects
If I only removed the breast in which I had cancer, I would need to take tamoxifen for at least 5 years, which has the possibility of creating another type of cancer, and weakening my bones. I also could not get pregnant while taking it and it causes me hot flashes that don’t allow me to sleep.
For me, keeping a breast just in case I want to have children and breastfeed them was not a worthwhile option.
Lifetime monitoring
If I had kept a breast or just had a lumpectomy with reconstruction, I would have needed constant and exhausting monitoring for the rest of my life: possibly MRIs every 6 months, or mammograms, which carry too much stress and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety
My peace was the most important thing. Letting my breasts go to reduce my chances of the cancer coming back greatly reduces my stress and anxiety. Otherwise, I would only be constantly worrying if something abnormal has already grown, if that little pain is a bad sign, etc.
Reconstruction
I was fortunate to have the option of having my breasts reconstructed by very talented doctors, who I trust greatly for their experience and advice. I am very confident that my body will continue to accept implants because I do not have an autoimmune disease that puts me at risk for infection or rejecting implants.
In addition, I have the option of replacing the implants with my own tissue (DIEP flap) in a few years.
If I had chosen another lumpectomy and radiation and later needed or decided to remove the breast, my breast tissue does not have the same chance of responding so favorably to reconstruction, as a breast exposed to radiation becomes more difficult to work with, and therefore, reconstruction could become difficult to heal.