Breast Cancer Prevention Surgery Brings One Mom Peace of Mind

Megan remembers when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer—Megan was 6, her mother was in her mid-30s. It seemed too early for both of them to experience that trauma.

Now 35, a mother and wife, and at high risk for breast cancer, Megan sees parallels with her childhood. But with the help of her doctors at Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute, she may have found a way to prevent history from repeating itself.

Megan, an employee at Saint Luke’s, has been going to Saint Luke’s High-Risk Breast Clinic for seven years. Since her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at such a young age, Megan has been receiving MRIs and mammograms, alternating every six months since she was in her 20s. It started taking a mental toll.

“After 10 years of scans, there was no end in sight,” Megan says. “I am always going to be high risk. So, I could either continue with scans for the rest of my life or until I have cancer.”

This past year, Megan decided to be more proactive in cancer prevention, so she researched preventive mastectomies. Her doctors—breast surgeon Tammy Neblock-Beirne, MD, and plastic surgeon Thuan Nguyen, MD at Saint Luke's High Risk-Breast Clinic—gave their advice, which included an elective procedure that could significantly reduce the probability of breast cancer.

Megan became Saint Luke’s first patient—and the first patient in Missouri—to undergo an endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy. This innovative surgery helps patients by removing all breast tissue where cancer grows using a discrete incision. Dr. Neblock-Beirne’s goal was to provide the best possible cosmetic outcome as well as reduce risks for Megan. The nipple-sparing mastectomy approach can provide optimal cosmetic outcome.

“Women with increased risk for breast cancer have options, which include surgical options for prevention or prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction,” Dr. Neblock-Beirne says. “This can be a very difficult decision for young women and requires a lot of courage and sacrifice. The endoscopic nipple-sparing approach is a new innovation in the U.S. that can provide for improved outcomes in select patients.”

For six weeks after the October procedure, Megan's only limitations were range of motion and a lifting restriction of less than 10 pounds. She has since been cleared for normal activity. Typical recovery for patients is about six weeks, and most are able to resume normal activities within 24 hours.

“Overall, my recovery has been pretty easy,” she says. “I don’t have any pain—the nerves are gone, so that’s part of it.”

Megan knows it’s a risk to elect for a major surgery without a cancer diagnosis. That’s why she urges women in her situation be proactive when seeking medical advice and to trust their intuition.

“Trust your gut and do what's best for you,” she says. “I know what it was like to have a family member and a mom have cancer at a young age. I wanted to significantly decrease the risk of having the same situation happen to me."

While she still goes into Saint Luke’s Breast Specialty Clinic for checkups every year, Megan has less anxiety about cancer.

This was more than a before-and-after transformation for Megan—she did it for everyday peace of mind, which allows her to be the best mother and wife she can be.

About Saint Luke’s Breast Centers

Whether you need a screening mammogram or breast cancer treatment, Saint Luke’s Breast Centers offer a full range of services and access to the latest imaging technology. Our breast centers feature a breast surgical oncologist and advanced practice providers with more than 30 years of experience in treating breast disease including cancers, high-risk, and benign breast issues. All our locations are accredited by the American College of Surgeons.  

We take a team approach with multidisciplinary collaboration involving specialists in breast radiology, breast surgery, plastic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, our dedicated high-risk clinic, and our genetic counseling program.

To schedule an appointment with Saint Luke's High-Risk Breast Clinic or a breast surgeon call: 816-932-7900, option 3. 

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