An operation to help prevent breast cancer is called a preventive mastectomy.
Breast cancer is still the most frequent malignancy in women, according to the National Cancer Institute, and modern treatment strategies take preventive measures like this procedure into account.
A prophylactic mastectomy, often referred to as a preventive mastectomy or a risk-reducing mastectomy, tries to greatly lower the chance of breast cancer in women who have a high risk, and it is often effective.
A prophylactic mastectomy is a procedure that can help lower a person’s risk of breast cancer by as much as 95% for some people, according to a research titled “Prophylactic mastectomy for the prevention of breast cancer: Review of the literature.” “Prophylactic” refers to something used to stave against sickness, like cancer.
The majority of the breast tissue from one or both breasts will be removed by a surgeon during this treatment. Other tissues, such as the nipple or areola, may also be removed in specific circumstances.
Some patients still run the risk of developing cancer since it is not always feasible to remove all breast tissue.
However, a preventive mastectomy can greatly reduce breast cancer risk in women who are at high risk for the disease.
It’s crucial to understand that while preventative surgery can significantly reduce a person’s chance of breast cancer, it may not completely eradicate it.
Since it is almost hard to completely remove all breast tissue after surgery, many patients may require ongoing scans and inspections to make sure cancer does not spread.
How much does preventative mastectomy lower the risk of cancer?
According to the aforementioned study, written by Rawan K. Alaofi et al., a preventative mastectomy can lower a woman’s chance of acquiring breast cancer by 95% if she has genetic abnormalities that greatly raise breast cancer risk, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
According to Alaofi et al., this preventative surgery may reduce a person’s chance of developing breast cancer by up to 90% if they have a significant family history of the disease, meaning their mother, sister, or daughter have all had the disease.
A preventative mastectomy, however, cannot assure someone they won’t ever have breast cancer. It is almost hard to completely remove all breast tissue after surgery, and cancer can grow in areas where breast tissue is still present.
There are two kinds of mastectomies performed to prevent breast cancer. These consist of:
- Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy: In this procedure, both breasts are removed before cancer is found.
- Contralateral preventive mastectomy: When breast cancer is found in one breast, the opposing breast is removed.
Following the decision to remove either both breasts or only one, the following surgical procedures may be used:
- Simple or complete mastectomy: This procedure involves removing the whole breast, including the nipple and areola.
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: All of the breast tissue beneath the skin, including the skin of the nipple and areola, is removed; however, most of the breast skin is left intact. This procedure is often followed by breast augmentation or reconstruction.
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy: The entire breast is removed, but the nipple is left intact. Reconstruction is frequently done after this procedure.
Who would give a prophylactic mastectomy for breast cancer a shot?
The greatest candidates for a preventive mastectomy are those who have certain risk factors. These elements consist of:
Genetic mutation
Breast cancer risk is increased in women who have particular gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.
Usually, genetic testing may find these gene alterations. Even though not everyone with these mutations will get cancer, for those who are genetically predisposed to the disease, lowering their risk might be crucial.
A strong family history of breast cancer
Those who have a sister, mother, or daughter who has had breast cancer may be at a higher risk than those who don’t have a family link, particularly if the illness was discovered before the age of 50.
An ovarian cancer history, either personal or familial
If you or a close relative has had ovarian cancer, your risk of breast cancer may be increased. Determine your risks with the use of genetic testing.
A history of radiation therapy
Breast cancer risk is increased in people who received chest radiation therapy before the age of 30.
The identification of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
LCIS is a benign disease that raises the possibility of later developing breast cancer.
What dangers may prophylactic mastectomy pose?
The most frequent dangers of this procedure include bleeding, infection, discomfort, anxiety, fluid accumulating beneath the skin (seroma), response to anaesthesia, nerve damage or loss of feeling in the breasts and nipples, delayed wound healing, and pain from scar tissue.
Other hazards associated with breast reconstruction include uneven breast look, tight muscles, infection, and inadequate wound healing.
If you are more likely to get breast cancer, you might be thinking about taking preventative steps like a prophylactic mastectomy.
According to Alaofi et al., this procedure eliminates all the breast tissue from either one or both breasts, and for those with a high risk of breast cancer, it can lower that risk by up to 95%.
But not everyone should have this operation, and not everyone will profit from it either.
To learn more about your risk of breast cancer and the potential advantages of this procedure, see a doctor, a genetic counsellor, or a breast health specialist.
