Double Mastectomy Reduces Breast Cancer Mortality Rate by 48 Percent: Study

Double Mastectomy or 'removal of healthy breasts' reduces risk of breast cancer deaths for women with BRCA gene mutations, according a study.

Researchers from the Women's College Hospital compared the survival rates of stage I and II breast cancer patients who did or did not undergo double mastectomy for twenty years. The study involved 390 women from the U.S and Canada carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in their genes. Nearly 346 participants had single mastectomy while the rest 44 opted for double mastectomy or removal of both breasts. After 2.3 years, 137 of those who had single mastectomy opted for removal of the other breast. No difference was seen among participants who had double mastectomy during the first ten years of the research. During the second decade, their survival rate was nearly 88 percent higher than those who had undergone single mastectomy.

At the end of the research the survival rate of women who had single mastectomy was only 31 percent and women who had double mastectomy had 48 percent reduced risk for breast cancer death. The researchers also found that women with BRCA mutations who had one breast removed had higher chances of developing new and deadlier form of cancer in the corresponding breast. They were initially unable to identify this because women who had  single mastectomy were unaware of the gene mutations they carried. The average life time risk of breast cancer for women with the BRCA1 and 2 is nearly 60 percent, and 12.4 percent for those without mutations, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The reports also add, "For those who have been treated in the past with unilateral mastectomy or breast conserving surgery, the possibility of a second surgery should be discussed. Bilateral mastectomy should be discussed as an option for young women with a BRCA mutation and early onset breast cancer."

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie's decision to undergo double mastectomy last year brought attention to the growing epidemic .Breast cancer patients are left with a conflicting choice of whether to have their breasts removed or not. Karen Michels, associate professor at Harvard Medical School mentioned in a report, "Breasts are essential parts of women's identity, sexuality and perception. Parting with a breast may result in anxiety, lack of self esteem and probability of depression. Parting with a healthy breast (or two) to prevent a probability is even more difficult."

The study was funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.