Breast removal due to breast cancer risk? (Preventive Mastectomy) Let's talk about this

If someone in your family, perhaps your mother, sister, or aunt, has had breast cancer, you have a fear in the back of your mind, “Will I get it too?” Isn’t this a fear that many people have? Some women who are at very high risk of developing breast cancer have both their breasts surgically removed before the cancer even develops. This is what we call preventive mastectomy . Since this is a big decision, let’s be clear and precise about it.

What is Preventive Mastectomy?

Simply put, this is the surgical removal of breast tissue that may contain cancerous cells to eliminate or greatly reduce the chance of developing breast cancer in the future. This is not done after cancer has developed, but as a precautionary measure before it occurs, due to the high risk of developing cancer. In medical terms, this is also called `Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy`.

The main goal of this surgery is to remove as much breast tissue as possible that could become cancerous, and to protect against future risks.

Who is this surgery really suitable for?

This is a very important question. This surgery is not recommended for everyone. Even organizations like the National Cancer Institute recommend that only women at very high risk of cancer consider it.

Anyone who has one or more of the risk factors in the table below can talk to their doctor about this.

Before making a decision like this, it is essential to seek genetic counseling and psychological counseling , as this is a big decision that affects both the body and the mind.

Does this really eliminate the risk of cancer 100%?

This is what many people ask. To be honest, it is difficult to give a 100% guarantee. However, the risk can be reduced by a very high percentage, such as 90% - 95% . This is especially true for those with BRCA gene mutations.

Then why not 100%?

Think about it… Our breast tissue is not in one place like we think. It is spread from the collarbone to the lower ribs, and from the middle of the chest to the armpit. The milk-producing glands (milk lobules) and milk ducts, which can become cancerous, are spread throughout this breast tissue, even under the skin.

No matter how skilled a surgeon is, no matter how carefully the surgery is performed, it is not practical to remove every cell in the tissue that has spread in this way. Therefore, a very small amount of tissue may be left. That is why the risk is not 100% eliminated. But the risk is greatly reduced because the amount that is left is very small.

After surgery… are there any modern options?

Yes. Fortunately, today there are much more advanced methods for this surgery. Unlike in the past, the results are now very successful.

Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

This is the most common method used today. In this procedure, doctors carefully remove only the glandular tissue beneath the breast that is at risk of developing cancer, without damaging the skin. This removes a very large amount of tissue that could potentially become cancerous.

Usually, the nipple and the dark skin around it (areola) are removed. This is because all the milk ducts are connected to the nipple, and there is a lot of glandular tissue in that area. However, since the skin of the breast is left, it is much easier to reconstruct the breast (breast reconstruction).

Immediate Breast Reconstruction

In many cases, breast reconstruction is now possible at the same time as mastectomy, using tissue from elsewhere in your body or special implants.

When these two methods are combined, that is, when the skin is preserved, the breasts are removed, and then reconstructed at the same time, the results are very successful. Many women who undergo this surgery are very happy with their decision and the appearance they get after the surgery.

Breast Cancer, Preventive Mastectomy, Mastectomy, BRCA, Cancer Risk, Mastectomy, Women's Health