Monday, January 14, 2013

A Difficult Decision

Did you read about the 24-year-old beauty pageant contestant who is having her breasts removed because of a history of breast cancer in her family even though she has no apparent problems at the moment. This story doesn't include the point that the woman's father encouraged her to do it after losing his wife and her mother to the disease.

Is this is a good idea? Would you do it in her circumstances? Here's a link to a story about whether that decision is a good idea:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barron-h-lerner/allyn-rose-mastectomy_b_2463629.html?utm_hp_ref=health-news&ir=Health%20News

Will be curious to hear your thoughts.

FD

16 comments:

  1. I say that no I wouldn't and my mother died from breast cancer. There's a chance she may never get breast cancer and with today's medical breakthroughs, I think an unnecessary one.

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    1. Sorry about your mother. I can understand you saying no and good luck in staying healthy.

      FD

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  2. I would seriously consider a double mastectomy if I were in her place. There seems to be a high incidence of breast cancer in her family and the odds are greater that she too will develop breast cancer. I have watched my paternal aunt go through a mastectomy in one breast only to develop cancer in the other breast a year or so later. While the medical community has made great strides in treating breast cancer, it is good that women have options and are free to choose which works best for them.

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    1. Yes, it is good for women to have options when they make a very personal decision.

      FD

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  3. I can't say whether or not I would do it. It is a had decision to make.

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  4. One of our good friends did that. She had genetic testing done first and found out she carried the gene that gave her a high risk.

    I don't know if I would or not.

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    1. It is probably difficult to know until you faced that decision.

      FD

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  5. It's such a hard decision I don't know if I would do it or not. I've certainly watched enough friends, work colleagues etc battle with this terrible disease though.

    Hugs
    Roz

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  6. Breast cancer also runs in my family.. My mother is a survivor but her sister, my aunt is not. I think it's surely is a personal decision but now that they have the genetic testing and the mammograms.. I feel like women have a much better chance. I personally wouldn't do it that young but now that I am over 50, I would not be as hesitant. It's always a tough choice but you have to be proactive with this disease.

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    1. It is surprising she is doing it at such a young age.

      FD

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  7. I don't think having an unnecessary surgery is a good idea in any case. So many other complications can arise as a result. She could go in perfectly healthy and end up with a massive infection that spreads throughout her body or end up with other problems she wouldn't have had otherwise. It's not worth the risk.

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    1. You bring up a very good point. All surgeries can have complications.

      FD

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  8. Very very hard decision to make.. I would hate to be in her place. I'm thankful she has the choices and options and knowledge that is available these days... but still very tough choice.

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  9. Hi FD! Hope your holidays were joyous! I work in the medical field and closely with oncologists. I feel pretty sure that genetic testing has played in role in her choice, along with doctor recommendations. The great news is that there is genetic testing out there for breast cancer, along with other diseases. The bad side is that it is expensive and not a lot of insurance companies will pay for it. Another sign of money & politics ruling our world (don't get me started on THAT!). This young lady should be commended and for her bravery, in my opinion. My great-grandmother and then her daughter, my grandmother, were both diagnosed with breast cancer resulting in radical mastectomies, yet I have not had the guts to go through with the genetic testing for fear of the results. This is a choice I may deeply regret in the future.

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