Should You Have a Mastectomy to Prevent Breast Cancer?

Modern women always have a fear of breast cancer.cancer in their family.
Whilst average woman has around 12% risk of2-You are having a history of breast cancers in your
getting affected with breast cancer, others havefamily. If any (or more than one) of your close family
85% chance of getting their life troubled with thismember (mother or sister) had breast cancer before,
menace. For women with high risk of breast cancer,you are said to have a strong history. Risks are also
fear is very much real, and most of them look toconsidered high, if you are having both ovarian and
ways for lowering its risk.breast cancer on any side of your family.
An option, which some high-risk women considers for3-You are already having cancers in your breast. This
treating breast cancer, is prophylactic or preventivemeans that there is a possibility of getting it on the
mastectomy. You may consider it, if you:other breast.
1-Are having cancers in one of your breasts and4-You have already been diagnosed with LCIS
looking forward to remove the healthy breast for(Lobular Carcinoma in Situ). LCIS means that you are
avoiding it to get affected too.having abnormal cells in lobules (milk glands) of your
2-Are at high risk of breast cancer and lookingbreast. Experts classify it to be a pre-cancer or stage
forward to remove both breasts before it develops'0' cancer. It might be increasing your risks of breast
to advance and untreatable stage.cancer. However, figures suggest that most women,
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure done forwho have been diagnosed with LCIS, do not get
removing nearly all the tissues of your breast, wherebreast cancer.
cancer may grow. This is, in no mean, a guarantee5-Your chest has been exposed to radiation therapy
that you will not have breast cancer, as it's impossiblebefore you were 30.
for taking out every bit of the tissue. However,How Can I Make A Decision On Preventive
experts have estimated that mastectomy canMastectomy?
reduce the risk by almost 90%.Decision for having mastectomy to prevent cancer is
Some women find losing their breast for reducinga very personal one. To make the decision easy and
risks of cancer to be beneficial. However, their choiceright, it might help if you:
cannot be clear cut. Various factors, which include1-Consult your doctor or genetic counselors for
women's personal risk and their own feelings on thegetting a better idea of the risk involved.
same, can affect the application of Mastectomy on2-Give consideration to your feelings. Some of us
their breasts.cannot imagine the thought of giving up our breasts,
Who Can Opt For Preventive Mastectomy?whereas others feel greater peace of mind covers
You should opt for preventive mastectomy, if youup the loss.
know that you're at high risk of breast cancer. You3-Discuss this decision with the one, who are close to
might be at high risks if:you. Suggestions from them can go a long way in
1-You are sure that you have BRCA (breast cancer)helping you to decide.
gene change. You can find about BRCA by having aHowever, you should always remember that it's your
gene testing. Gene testing is generally done onbody and it will always be your decision.
women having a history of ovarian or/and breast