Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy to reduce breast cancer risk

2^nd International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

November 17-19, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Kelli Whitted and Robin Gosdin Farrell

Posters: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Breast cancer is a possibly fatal disease that affects one in eight women. This type of cancer is the most frequently identified form of cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer related death among women. Some patients who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer will elect to have a mastectomy as a prophylactic measure. Prophylactic mastectomy can be performed to lessen the risk of breast cancer in women with high risk factors. A study has established that a mastectomy was an effective means of preventing breast cancer. The study reported a significant decline in the occurrence of breast cancer and of death from breast cancer after a prophylactic mastectomy even among women classified at very high risk for developing the disease. Findings of the study concluded that prophylactic mastectomy was correlated with at least a ninety percent decrease in both the occurrence of breast cancer and the risk of death from breast cancer. Another study concluded that a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy reduced the risk of breast cancer developing in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations by ninety percent. More emphasis is being placed on the prevention of breast cancer now rather than solely upon treatment measures. The practice of prophylactic mastectomy is increasing. The frequency of this preventative treatment of breast cancer doubled from 1998 to 2003. The literature validates a high rate of patient satisfaction and also long-term oncologic protection with a prophylactic mastectomy. Some significant psychological benefits from a prophylactic mastectomy are a decrease in chronic anxiety and worry, anguish associated with false positive mammography results, and dependency on physician screening and self-breast examinations. For women who have a validated fear of developing breast cancer, the psychological benefits of the preventative surgery can outweigh the undesirable risks. Women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer can make educated choices when it comes to determining whether or not to choose a prophylactic mastectomy.

Biography :

Kelli Whitted completed her BSN from Georgia College and State University in 1994, her MSN in the FNP program at Troy University in 2001, and her DNP from Troy University in 2011. She serves as an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Nursing at Troy University and teaches in both the FNP and the DNP programs.