Many Double Mastectomy Cases may be Unnecessary

As estimates show that around 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime, a recent study reveals that many double mastectomies may be unnecessary. In fact, according to researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, they found that around 70 percent of women who have both breasts removed following a breast cancer diagnosis have a low risk of facing cancer in the healthy breast. 

"When you receive a breast cancer diagnosis it's obviously a very emotional and anxiety-provoking time," said Dr. Tari King, deputy chief and director of research for the breast surgical service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, via CBS News. "And the decision about what kind of surgery you're going to have is the first decision women have to make." King did not write the paper, but works with the co-author.

For the study, researchers surveyed 1,447 women who have been treated for breast cancer without recurrence. Findings showed that around three-quarters of the patients also expressed concern regarding cancer return, while 8 percent underwent a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and another 18 percent considered having one. Those  who hand undergone an MRI before treatment and also had higher education levels were also more likely to undergo more extensive surgery.

"They want to choose the surgical procedure that they think gives them the lowest possibility of recurrence and the greatest chance of surviving their breast cancer," King added. "But...when we tell them that removing their normal breast won't make them live longer and there is no survival benefit, there's a disconnect."

King notes that following 10 years after the initial diagnosis, only around 3 percent of breast cancer patients will have a cancer develop in their healthy breast.

"Not only should pros and cons of different treatment options be communicated, but there needs to be consideration of the patient's personal circumstances and perceptions, all the while addressing anxiety and concerns about breast cancer recurrence and new primary disease (and the distinction between the two)," said Shoshana Rosenberg and Dr. Ann Partridge of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, via NBC News.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via JAMA Surgery.