prophylactic mastectomy - possible pathway to chest surgery for a few

[iamkeri1]

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/treatmen...actic_mast.jsp

[TenderKnight]

Cool story and resourses Not an option for me, but maybe some of the other guys on here can take steps in that direction

[Quintease]

If you look up Ben Barres you'll find that he managed to have his top surgery completed this way. Unfortunately his mother died of breast cancer, fortunately that meant the doctors didn't question his need to have preventative surgery himself.

[Lady_Di]

Yep, my current partner in crime here was able to obtain his dream this way.

Dare I say, I am overjoyed for him, but I am!

[chefhmboyrd]

There is no history of breast cancer in my family, but there has been some skin, unterine, and colon cancer, would that qualify?

[Quintease]

Originally Posted by chefhmboyrd

There is no history of breast cancer in my family, but there has been some skin, unterine, and colon cancer, would that qualify?

Not unless you want your colon removed.

[Lady_Di]

Originally Posted by chefhmboyrd

There is no history of breast cancer in my family, but there has been some skin, unterine, and colon cancer, would that qualify?

well... a predisposition towards many cancers can tip the balance in fact

my sweetie did have colon, uterine, and a myriad others as well

I am glad the chesticles are gone, with his luck, they were trouble in the making on many many levels

another interesting point, I got a beauty mark taken off years ago, just telling my doctor about my grand fathers melanoma

in other words they rarely check these histories and take you at your word, not that I am encouraging any fibbing going on towards any doctors, since they are gods afterall and all knowing, lol...

d'who is rather jaded when it comes to doctors and their egos

[iamkeri1]

Originally Posted by chefhmboyrd

There is no history of breast cancer in my family, but there has been some skin, uterine, and colon cancer, would that qualify?

These cancers are part of the trinity of cancers I mentioned in my OP. It would not be a bad idea to check into it further, and to back up what LadyDi said, no one investigated as to whether the man I am speaking about in this post was telling the truth about his family history, (though in fact he was.)

and I must say Wow! i am shocked to find this a possibility for so many people. Well good, hope it helps y'all.