Decision making, psychological wellbeing and psychosocial outcomes for high risk women who choose to undergo bilateral prophylactic mastectomy – A review of the literature

Decision making, psychologicalwellbeing and psychosocial outcomes for high risk women who choose to undergobilateral prophylactic mastectomy – A review of the literature

The Breast August 2016 Volume 28, Pages 130–135

Glassey R, Ives A, Saunders C, Musiello T

A bilateral prophylactic, or preventative, mastectomy (BPM) for women at high risk of developing breast cancer (BC) can reduce their risk of developing the disease by up to 90% (relative risk reduction). An increasing number of women, including young women, are taking up this option. However, there is a dearth of information for younger women (under 40 years) choosing preventative mastectomy. In fact, no studies to date have specifically focused on younger women's experiences of a BPM and investigated their informational needs.