Related: Inaccurate Mammograms Miss Breast Cancer in 18 Women At Virginia Center: Guidance For Safe Screening

“I don’t like anything to do with doctors and hospitals. My whole body goes numb,” said Kyle. “I go back to being in the hospital with my mom. The doctor sat us in a room and said, ‘Your mom has breast cancer,’ and it was stage 3 at that point. My mom just wanted to pretend like she was fine, because she was so scared to die,” Kyle told audiences as she began to tear up. “And I can remember thinking, you know I kind of want her to be like, ‘It’s okay, this is life,’ but she wasn’t that person. She would tell me, she would say to me, ‘Kyle, I don’t want to die. I’m terrified and I still have so much to teach you.”

Kim talked to doctors about getting her implants removed and breasts lifted, but also asked whether her family history of breast cancer should be something to worry about. Doctors assured Kim that if they found any abnormalities in the tissue they would address them.

Dr. Elizabeth Comen explains general basics of breast cancer treatment

Lumpectomy Vs. Mastectomy In Breast Cancer Treatment

When deciding treatment options for breast cancer, it’s up to the patient to decide which surgical procedure they believe is the best fit for them. Once a woman hears she has breast cancer, some assume that undergoing a double mastectomy (fully removing both breasts) is the best way to prevent a recurrence, but experts say that double mastectomies aren’t always necessary. Lumpectomies (also known as breast conserving surgery), which is a surgery that removes a tumor or any abnormal tissue from the breast, has shown enormous benefits.

Related: Recovering from a Lumpectomy

Depending on the size of the tumor, family history, and other factors doctors can evaluate which surgery will be as effective as a double mastectomy.

“As a breast surgeon, my job is to review that data with them, and to help them understand that their long-term survival with mastectomy is equivalent to that with lumpectomy and radiation,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, the lead physician for the Special Surveillance Breast Program at Mount Sinai Beth Israel.

Dr. Sarah Cate says surgical options in breast cancer should be up to the patient

The Importance Of Knowing Your Family History Of Cancer

According to Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, Director of the High-Risk Cancer Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. Knowing whether you’re at increased risk of a breast cancer diagnosis can be a helpful way in catching the disease quick and in the early stages, which provides more treatment options. In order to learn about your risk, Dr. Ginsburg recommends women go through genetic testing to learn about possible gene mutations which could make them more at risk of breast cancer.

Related: Genetic Testing Is on the Rise Here's Why to Get It Done Through a Health Care Provider

“The real question of who is going to qualify for genetic testing is, to be honest, a moving target,” says Dr. Ginsburg. “Nowadays, you can even self-refer and ask for testing. We encourage only those who have a family history to really get that kind of service if you need it.”

In a genetic test, your doctor will ask you about your family history and details on the types of breast cancer you or your family members had. From there, hereditary tests are done through a saliva or blood test.

Dr. Ophira Ginsburg explains when genetic testing is important

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.