Prophylactic mastectomy has given me peace of mind.

14 Oct Prophylactic mastectomy has given me peace of mind.

“I had the option of preventing breast cancer with prophylactic mastectomy, and the truth is that I didn’t think much about it.” So begins the story of Emilia, a 33-year-old woman who one day decided to undergo this surgery to prevent breast cancer.

Prophylactic mastectomy, an increasingly common surgery

In recent years, this surgery, which aims to remove “healthy” breast tissue in patients with a genetic risk of developing a malignant breast tumor, has become popular.

October 19 is World Breast Cancer Day. This date reminds us of the importance of prevention, early detection and the need for research to eradicate this disease that affects 1 in 8 women in their lifetime, according to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).

We asked Emilia if she would like to tell her story and her immediate response was – yes – and we are very grateful. Beautiful stories deserve to be told to inspire, to motivate and to encourage other women to make life-changing decisions.

Interview with Emilia, after prophylactic mastectomy.

1. What were your reasons for having a prophylactic mastectomy?

In my family we know what breast cancer is. My grandmother had it, my aunts and my mother, too. As a result of my mother falling ill and after checking the family history, they decided to do a genetic test for all the children and children of children. The objective with this test was to determine if the cancer in our family was a consequence of an inherited gene.

I tested positive for the BRCA gene. This meant that my chances of getting breast cancer increased exponentially over the years.

I watched my mother go through the chemotherapy process. I had the option to avoid it, to prevent it, and I certainly did not give it much thought.

2. When you talked about it with your environment, what was their reaction? Did you feel supported?

At first I heard some “if you are still too young, wait for it”. I thought, but wait, what’s the point?

If he had to do it sooner or later, it was best to do it sooner rather than later. Youth also helps to a quick recovery and to face the intervention with courage, or so I saw it.

My family, knowing what it is like to suffer from cancer, immediately encouraged me to have a prophylactic mastectomy and supported me from the beginning. Luckily I have a family that was able to take care of me during my sick leave and a partner who understood my decision from the first moment and had all the patience in the world, so the support was total and absolute during the whole process.

3. Were you afraid or hesitant?

I never had any doubts. Fear, well, the day of the operation a little bit. It is not the same to enter the operating room when it is an imminent necessity as when you enter knowing that nothing is really wrong with you, that you are not in pain.

I faced it with energy, since not being weakened by an illness is an advantage to face the postoperative period and also, knowing that what I was doing was for my own good. I would rather go through it at that time than wait for the cancer to appear.

It is important to be sure of what you are going to do, that is clear, but now, from a distance, I would also say to those who are not sure that they should opt for yes rather than no, that it is worth it.

4. Were you previously familiar with the work of Dra. Villaverde?

No, I didn’t know you but it was a pleasure to meet you this way. From the first day his attention, affection, perfectionism, professionalism, skill and good work was there.

Things didn’t go the first time as expected, due to the shape and structure of my chest and it took a little longer. She had all the patience in the world and was always available for whatever I needed. He wanted them to be perfect and he didn’t stop until he got it.

In the end, the empathy you show is very important. With 33 years the aesthetics of your chest is important, you have to see yourself every day in the mirror and it is not the same to see a reconstructed breast without more, than to see a beautiful and well cared breast. And that’s thanks to her.

5. Are you satisfied with the prophylactic mastectomy?

Very satisfied. It was a long process but it was worth it.

My breasts are now much more beautiful than they were previously and, on the other hand, not having to worry about possible lumps is a relief.

I never thought they would look this good because as I said, in my case, the process was expensive, but the final result is incredible and in the end, that’s what counts.

6. Would you recommend this surgery?

Of course I would and do recommend it.

If I had to list pros and cons, I really wouldn’t find a single con. The process can be long and expensive. At times, it can be very bulky. That depends on each body. But the reward, the result, makes any bad memories disappear.

Fortunately, we have excellent healthcare that can help us avoid having to go through a serious illness, such as breast cancer. How can we waste it?

In my case, one of the advantages was having Dra. Villaverde as a surgeon. With her everything has been easier and more bearable, I can’t complain.

I have had the option to prevent breast cancer, and I took advantage of it, and I would certainly do it again.

I see my mother, a born fighter, with courage and strength worthy of admiration. He is now happy, lives well and has already been told that he can say he has overcome the disease. But I remember what he went through, I remember how we lived through it and I didn’t want it for myself.

If you want to know more about prophylactic mastectomy I recommend you to visit this article on our website. There you can read about the indications for this surgery, the possible complications and the conservation of the nipple-areola complex.

Prophylactic mastectomy saves lives and improves self-esteem, but we must select well the patients who will really benefit from this surgery, to minimize the risk of suffering complications.

Ask for an appointment with my team, we will advise you, we will accompany you and advise you to have an experience as positive as Emilia’s.

From here, thanks to Emilia for her collaboration and generosity in sharing so openly her emotions with this phase of her life.