A risk-reducing mastectomy is a preventive procedure that removes breast tissue before cancer has developed.
If you have a high risk of developing breast cancer during your lifetime, you may elect to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. A woman with cancer in one breast, may also elect to do a risk-reducing mastectomy on the other side to avoid the need for future breast surveillance. Although this may not improve survival for someone without a genetic predisposition for cancer, for many women it provides increased peace of mind and avoids the anxiety they may feel with each surveillance visit. In some cases, doing a bilateral mastectomy will also allow for a more symmetric reconstructive result.
A risk-reducing mastectomy is the removal of breast tissue that occurs before any cancer has developed. It is common for high-risk women, particularly those that carry genetic mutations for BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes.
Family history of breast cancer or a genetic mutation can significantly increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. For some, ongoing surveillance is the preferred route; while this approach can allow for the early detection of cancer, it doesn’t prevent it from occurring. Others may choose hormonal therapies to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. However, these may have some unfavorable side effects.
Risk-reducing mastectomy can significantly decrease the risk of cancer. Women who choose this approach do not need any ongoing surveillance and often choose the surgery to have greater peace of mind about their health.
One of the benefits of a risk-reducing mastectomy is that there is no tumor that needs to be removed. Therefore, nearly all risk-reducing mastectomies are nipple-sparing surgeries, which preserve the breast skin, nipple, and areola. There is no follow-up treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or monitoring.
Choosing a risk-reducing mastectomy is a big decision, but an oncologist or genetic counselor can help you understand your risk and your options to make an informed choice.
Yes. Depending on your body type, natural tissue, implant, and hybrid reconstruction procedures are all possible with risk-reducing mastectomy.
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