Should I have a preventive double mastectomy?
Should I have a preventive double mastectomy?
Like any type of surgery, a mastectomy can have risks and side effects, some of which could affect your quality of life. Because of this, preventive surgery is not usually a good option for women who are at average risk of breast cancer, or for those who are at only slightly increased risk.
Who qualifies for preventative mastectomy?
Prophylactic mastectomy may be considered medically necessary when ONE or more of the following risk factors are present: Those with a strong family history of breast cancer such as: Having a mother, sister, and/or daughter who was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer or with breast cancer before age 50 years; or.
How much does a prophylactic mastectomy cost?
For patients not covered by health insurance, a mastectomy typically costs more than $15,000-$55,000 , not including breast reconstruction. For example, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee[2] estimates a cost of more than $15,000 for a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.
Can I elect to have a double mastectomy?
When cancer invades one breast, many women opt to remove both. Two new studies highlight the trend toward elective double mastectomy. An increasing number of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast are choosing to have both breasts removed.
What age is prophylactic mastectomy?
Preventive mastectomy is considered appropriate in women aged 25-30 years and above [3]. According to a study by Heemskerk-Gerritsen et al., in women with a breast cancer (BRCA) mutation who underwent bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy, there was 99.6% survival [4].
When is preventative mastectomy recommended?
According to the National Cancer Institute, only those women who are at very high risk of breast cancer should consider preventive mastectomy. This includes women with one or more of the following risk factors: BRCA or certain other gene mutations. Strong family history of breast cancer.
Are nipples removed in prophylactic mastectomy?
Nipple-sparing mastectomy leaves the nipple and areola intact, along with the breast skin. All the breast tissue underneath the nipple, areola, and breast skin is removed. The tissue beneath the nipple and areola are checked for cancer.
Is prophylactic mastectomy a good idea?
Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by at least 95 percent in women who have a deleterious (disease-causing) mutation in the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene and by up to 90 percent in women who have a strong family history of breast cancer (2-5).
How much does a double mastectomy cost UK?
How much will it cost? The cost of a mastectomy and chest reconstruction performed in the UK is currently around £6000-7000 (last updated October 2020). If you have a formal diagnosis, the NHS will usually provide funding for a mastectomy.
