Study Suggests Prophylactic Mastectomy May Significantly Reduce the Incidence of Breast Cancer in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 13 January 1999

A study in the January 14, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that prophylactic mastectomy may significantly reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women with a family history of the disease. According to the study from researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Dublin, prophylactic mastectomy reduced the incidence of breast cancer in high risk women by at least 90 percent.

"These findings are important for women who have already undergone prophylactic mastectomy and can now feel confident that the surgery severely reduced their risk of developing and dying from breast cancer," says Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and cervical cancer for the American Cancer Society. "It also allows clinicians who counsel high risk women to provide information about risk that is based on data rather than expert opinion. However, many of the women described in this study are not considered to be at high risk. It is essential that women with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer receive counseling from a trained professional who can help them understand their cancer risk and assess whether this drastic surgery is an option worth considering."

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