The rise in bilateral mastectomies: Evidence, ethics, and physician's role
The Breast
Yang YT et al
This viewpoint reviews double mastectomies' trend, medical evidence and
ethical considerations, as well as the role of the physician in
counseling the patient. It concludes that physicians should encourage
patients to pursue alternative preventive measures, and promote
bilateral mastectomies only for high-risk patients for whom the
potential benefits of the surgery are sufficient to justify the
surgery's increased risks.
