title: Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.
abstract: With increasing public awareness of the risk for breast cancer and modern techniques of reconstruction, the option of surgical prophylaxis for risk reduction is becoming increasingly popular. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy for women at increased risk of developing breast cancer and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for those with unilateral breast cancer seeking symmetry, risk reduction, and ease of follow-up are acceptable options for many women. However, prophylactic surgery is not an inconsequential decision, and careful consideration should be given to the risks and benefits of such procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 20 York Street, 1st Floor, Suite A, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address: anees.chagpar@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Anees B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Chagpar
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D065286:Prophylactic Surgical Procedures; D018570:Risk Assessment; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
keywords: Breast cancer; Prophylactic mastectomy; Risk; Surgery