Extra Credit! Bioethics Readings/Discussion

Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy is the most common risk-reducing surgery for possible breast cancer patients. This surgery could include the total removal of both breasts, which is called total mastectomy, or just the removal of as much tissue as possible while leaving the nipples, which is subcutaneous mastectomy. This surgery is for women with very high risks of getting breast cancer. These women have such a high, predictable risk of breast cancer because they may have a disease-causing mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, high penetrance mutation in a gene connected with breast cancer risk, like TP53 or PTEN, or they have family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer.


www.nationalbreastcancer.org 




The potential benefits of this technology include greatly decreasing the risk of breast cancer. Patient Angelina Jolie, an actress who had subcutaneous mastectomy surgery performed, reported in her article, "My Medical Choice", of her risk of breast cancer dropping from 87% to below 5%. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy has also been able to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 90% with women who have a family history of breast cancer, and at least 95% in women who have a disease causing mutation.Though these mastectomies have plenty of benefits, they also have some potential risks. While there may be bleeding, infection, loss of the breast to function in the action site of the surgery, and/or a decrease in estrogen production, the most common risks are psychological. The surgery may cause anxiety and trouble with body image and sexual relationships.

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Because the benefits greatly outweigh the costs, a mastectomy surgery is definitely a smart choice. Breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body and be fatal, but with a mastectomy, the chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer plummets. There is a chance of some seemingly minor physical and emotional side effects, but they are especially minor compared to the physical and emotional perils of breast cancer. A mastectomy surgery can prevent lots of pain in many aspects, showing how important and useful this technology is.


Sources:

"My Medical Choice" (Angelina Jolie, NY Times)
http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/risk-reducing-surgery-fact-sheet
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/10/04/five-myths-about-breast-cancer-and-why-shouldnt-believe-them.html