iamkeri1
06-23-2012, 12:29 PM
Recently someone I know underwent what is called a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. Prophylactic meaning preventative - preventative of having breast cancer. He is ftm; has lived most of his life as a male, but for one reason or another had never changed his ID. He has a beard and mustache, presents as male, and is accepted as male by all who meet or know him.
Breast cancer can have a genetic base; can be passed from generation to generation, or occur in multiple family members. If your mother, sister, aunt, or several cousins, (or close male members of your family) had breast cancer you may be eligible for this kind of surgery. Another factor in this genetic process is that one becomes more likely to have what the doctor called a trinity of cancers over a lifetime: uterine cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer with an increased likelihood of lung cancer as well. None of this sounds like good news, does it?
The person I knew had a mother and aunt who both had breast cancer. During his first mammogram, a "mass" was discovered. Years earlier, at the time of his hysterectomy, some cancerous cells were found in his uterus that would have become an issue with time, but which were caught by the hysterectomy. Sorry this is getting complicated.
Anyway he talked to his primary doctor about prophylactic mastectomy which he had read about online. She referred him to a surgeon who specialized in breast cancer. Upon meeting with her, the surgeon was very supportive and cooperative. She did not even blink when he explained his persoanl and family history and requested this surgery, nor did she try to talk him out of it. Gender issues were not discussed as he felt it would muddy the waters and make the insurance company less likely to pay for his surgery. The surgeon advised him that genetic testing might be required and that his insurance company might require that a lumpectomy be done first to examine the mass, but that she would request the surgery be done without either of these preliminaries.
She must have done her job well, because a month later he was in the hospital and had the surgery. Both breasts (including nipples) were removed. Muscles and lymph nodes were left intact. He did not request reconstuctive surgery because he didn't wish to take on the issue of "Now what size breast implant did you say you wanted again?
What he is left with following surgery is a clean straight incision/scar line across his chest from one armpit to the other. The doctor advised him that should he change his mind, reconstruction could take place at a future date. He is very happy with the results. Gone are the heavy compression shirts he has worn for years, replaced by a little lightweight mens sleeveless undershirt, and he can swim bare chested if he chooses. The final happy ending came when pathology found no evidence of cancer in the breast tissue that was removed.
Keri
Here is a link to some good info about prophylactic mastectomy.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/prophylactic_mast.jsp
Breast cancer can have a genetic base; can be passed from generation to generation, or occur in multiple family members. If your mother, sister, aunt, or several cousins, (or close male members of your family) had breast cancer you may be eligible for this kind of surgery. Another factor in this genetic process is that one becomes more likely to have what the doctor called a trinity of cancers over a lifetime: uterine cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer with an increased likelihood of lung cancer as well. None of this sounds like good news, does it?
The person I knew had a mother and aunt who both had breast cancer. During his first mammogram, a "mass" was discovered. Years earlier, at the time of his hysterectomy, some cancerous cells were found in his uterus that would have become an issue with time, but which were caught by the hysterectomy. Sorry this is getting complicated.
Anyway he talked to his primary doctor about prophylactic mastectomy which he had read about online. She referred him to a surgeon who specialized in breast cancer. Upon meeting with her, the surgeon was very supportive and cooperative. She did not even blink when he explained his persoanl and family history and requested this surgery, nor did she try to talk him out of it. Gender issues were not discussed as he felt it would muddy the waters and make the insurance company less likely to pay for his surgery. The surgeon advised him that genetic testing might be required and that his insurance company might require that a lumpectomy be done first to examine the mass, but that she would request the surgery be done without either of these preliminaries.
She must have done her job well, because a month later he was in the hospital and had the surgery. Both breasts (including nipples) were removed. Muscles and lymph nodes were left intact. He did not request reconstuctive surgery because he didn't wish to take on the issue of "Now what size breast implant did you say you wanted again?
What he is left with following surgery is a clean straight incision/scar line across his chest from one armpit to the other. The doctor advised him that should he change his mind, reconstruction could take place at a future date. He is very happy with the results. Gone are the heavy compression shirts he has worn for years, replaced by a little lightweight mens sleeveless undershirt, and he can swim bare chested if he chooses. The final happy ending came when pathology found no evidence of cancer in the breast tissue that was removed.
Keri
Here is a link to some good info about prophylactic mastectomy.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/prophylactic_mast.jsp