‘More women having healthy breasts removed’ after cancer diagnosis

More women are having their healthy breast removed after cancer is found in the other one, despite a lack of evidence that it can improve survival, it has been reported.

A study led by Stephen Edge of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo discovered that the number of women opting to have a healthy breast removed is rising, but the rate of women removing both breasts because of a strong link to breast cancer is still relatively low.

The research found that of 6,275 females who underwent prophylactic mastectomies, 81 per cent had been diagnosed with cancer in one breast, while 19 per cent had no personal history of breast cancer.

Dr Edge added: “Women with breast cancer should have careful counselling regarding benefits and risks before proceeding with prophylactic mastectomy of the other breast.”

Over the period, the prevalence of contralateral mastectomies more than doubled. The prevalence of bilateral prophylactic mastectomies among women with no personal history of breast cancer increased only slightly.