PROPHYLACTIC MASTECTOMIES
RISK REDUCTION MASTECTOMY
Prophylactic mastectomies are done to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer and is also called risk reduction mastectomy. Risk reduction procedures are performed in patients with a high risk to develop breast cancer. This procedure on a healthy breast in patients diagnosed with breast cancer is frequently done in young patients or in patients with a strong family history or with a proven genetic predisposition to get breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers have the genetic predisposition and more than 80% risk of getting breast cancer during their life time. In patients that are BRCA carriers bilateral procedures are indicated and frequently performed before they get breast cancer. In most prophylactic mastectomies implant reconstructions are performed and only in few selected cases autologous reconstructions.