Voluntary Mastectomy

Women at high risk of developing breast cancer have several different choices. They can opt for frequent examinations or possibly prevent the disease with drugs, according to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. However, many women choose to have their breasts removed in a voluntary mastectomy.

Features

• Preventive mastectomy involves the removal of either or both breasts. A total mastectomy is a procedure where the entire breast and nipple are removed, while a subcutaneous mastectomy removes only the breast tissue and leaves the nipple intact. According to the National Cancer Institute, most doctors recommend a total mastectomy because it provides more protection from breast cancer.

Risk Factors

• Some women are at higher risk than others for developing breast cancer, such as women who have dense breast tissue. Women with genetic abnormalities such as BRCA1 or BRCA 2 have genes that make them genetically predisposed to cancer. In addition, a woman who has already experienced breast cancer or who has a family history of breast cancer may consider a preventive mastectomy.

Benefits

• According to the National Cancer Institute, a preventive mastectomy lessens a woman's chances of developing breast cancer by approximately 90 percent. In addition, many women also choose to undergo breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the breasts either during or after the procedure.