title: The rise in bilateral mastectomies: Evidence, ethics, and physician's role.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. Electronic address: ytyang@gmu.edu.
authors: Y Tony
authors: YT
authors: Yang
authors: Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
authors: Elizabeth R
authors: ER
authors: Pike
authors: Vantage Oncology LLC, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA.
authors: Christopher M
authors: CM
authors: Rose
authors: Vantage Oncology LLC, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA.
authors: Leslie E
authors: LE
authors: Botnick
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D000072036:Prophylactic Mastectomy / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends*
keywords: Bilateral mastectomies; Bioethics; Breast cancer; Decision making; Genetic testing