Some American women are considering prophylactic mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. Also called preventive mastectomy, it is the surgical removal of one or both breasts to try to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer. It involves removal of as much of the at-risk tissue as possible. It is not a guarantee against cancer, however. Some women have developed breast cancer after prophylactic mastectomies.
Prophylactic mastectomy is seen as an option for several reasons.
Women who have already had one breast removed because of cancer may consider it to prevent cancer in the other breast. Preventive mastectomy is often considered by women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, especially among close relatives who develop the disease before age 50. Some argue there is not enough evidence of the benefits. A preliminary report shows that prophylactic surgery may be an appropriate option for some high-risk women. The lead researcher in the Mayo study said the decision must be made by the patient herself.