There are also financial, emotional, social, and practical issues to consider.
Single vs. Of these women, there was no significant difference in survival.
Who Opts for a Double Mastectomy?
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Other factors associated with choosing a double mastectomy included more education and being Caucasian.
Double mastectomies have increased in men as well.
With hereditary breast cancer, the benefits of a double mastectomy likely outweigh the risks.
There are currently tests to screen forBRCA mutationsandnon-BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk.
Home tests, however, such as 23andMe, are not accurate enough to rule out that risk.
Survival for Single vs.
Some showed improved survival, while others demonstrated little survival benefit.
Its important to note that survival from the current breast cancer is not affected by the choice of procedure.
A double mastectomy doesnotreduce the risk of recurrence of the original breast cancer.
Rather, a double mastectomy may reduce the risk of a second cancer that could affect survival.
At one in eight women, the lifetime risk of breast cancer is roughly 12%.
The risk isnt significantly increased in people with the ATM mutation.
The relative risk, however, varies with the particular family history.
First-degree relatives include parents, siblings, and children.
Second-degree relatives include grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.
Talking with a genetic counselor can be very helpful as well.
At the current time, available genetic tests are not able to detect all familial breast cancers.
What Happens if Contralateral Breast Cancer Develops?
It requires a longer duration of anesthesia.
There is also a greater potential for complications with a double mastectomy.
No difference was noted with complications requiring another operation within the first 90 days.
Quality of Life
Studies evaluating the quality of life are mixed.
Other studies have found increased satisfaction in women having double mastectomies.
Again, its important to note that these findings are statistics.
Its noteworthy that anxiety regarding follow-up scans can affect family members and friends as well.
Recommendations can vary among different oncologists but may includemammogramsor breast MRIs.
Mammograms miss roughly 20% of breast cancers and are more likely to miss cancer in dense breasts.
MRI, in contrast, is the most accurate screening test available and is not influenced by dense breasts.
However, it’s much more expensive and can be a challenging test for people who are claustrophobic.
There is also a chance that a breast biopsy will be needed in the future based on imaging findings.
Sensation
Even with a nipple-sparing/skin-sparing mastectomy, sensation is often markedly reduced following a prophylactic mastectomy.
The importance of this and how it relates to sexual health will differ for each person.
Cosmetic Appearance/Symmetry
One traditional argument for a double mastectomy has been to achieve symmetry.
Two reconstructed breasts will likely be more symmetrical than one reconstructed or not reconstructed breast and one natural breast.
The cost of a double mastectomy is clearly higher than a single mastectomy.
Studies are again mixed when looking at cost-effectiveness.
This study, however, included women who had BRCA mutations.
Fortunately, at the current time, a persons personal choice is considered over cost.
This risk should then be weighed against the risk of surgery.
Personal factors are extremely important to evaluate but there isnt a simple way to do so.
Whether or not having a double mastectomy for unilateral breast cancer improves survival is still an open question.
Some studies show significant improvement in survival, while others show minimal improvement.
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