Prophylactic Mastectomy: many Women undergo unnecessary double Mastectomies

A new US study shows that even before Angelina Jolie’s surgery, many women under age 40 who were diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast were having their other breast removed as well, despite the fact that removing the healthy breast does not improve survival rates for most women.

Despite knowing that CPM (contralateral prophylactic mastectomy) does not clearly improve survival, women who have the procedure do so, in part, to extend their lives. Many women overestimate their actual risk for cancer in the unaffected breast.

List of articles:

• Fear drives young cancer patients to needless mastectomies
  Medical News Today
• Some Women Undergo Unnecessary Double Mastectomies
  LiveScience
• Unfounded Fear Prompts Some Preventive Mastectomies: Study
  Health Day
• Women with breast cancer may overestimate secondary risks
  Reuters

Sources: Perceptions, Knowledge, and Satisfaction With Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Among Young Women With Breast Cancer:
A Cross-sectional Survey, American College of Physicians, 17 Sept 2013.