Why might a woman choose a preventative double mastectomy?
A prophylactic, or preventative, double mastectomy with breast reconstruction is sometimes recommended for women who test positive for the BRCA-1 gene mutation. Per Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills, these women have an 87 percent chance of breast cancer and 44 percent chance of ovarian cancer by age 70.
What are the main types of breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction falls into three major categories: breast implant-based reconstruction, autologous tissue-based reconstruction, and free tissue transfer. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills explains that women undergoing bilateral mastectomy with no plans for radiation often opt for implant-based reconstruction for the quickest recovery and least risk.
How does implant-based breast reconstruction work?
In implant-based breast reconstruction, a tissue expander is typically inserted first. This temporary inflatable device is slowly expanded over two to three months to relax the skin. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills explains the expanders are then removed and breast implants are placed in their place.
Why is implant-based reconstruction often preferred?
Implant-based reconstruction is often chosen by women undergoing double mastectomy with no plans for radiation. Dr. Anita Patel of Beverly Hills notes it allows the quickest recovery, least risk, and a good cosmetic outcome, while avoiding the donor site required when using your own tissue.
Angelina Jolie announced today that she underwent a prophylactic (or preventative) double mastectomy with breast reconstruction, due to testing positive for the BRCA-1 gene.
Women who have this genetic mutation have an 87 percent chance of having breast cancer and 44 percent chance of having ovarian cancer by age 70. Surgical oncologists generally recommend having this type of preventative breast surgery, and also oophorectomy after they are done with childbearing.
Angelina Jolie took proactive measures to prevent breast cancer, and had the courage to share this, which will help bring awareness to BRCA-1 and also the possibility that breasts can be immediately reconstructed. Breast reconstruction falls into three major categories, including breast implant based reconstruction, autologous tissue based reconstruction, and free tissue transfer.
Women who undergo bilateral (or double, both sides) mastectomy, with no plans for radiation, often opt for implant based reconstruction which allows for the quickest recovery, least risk, avoiding a donor site that is required if using your own tissue, and good cosmetic outcome.
In implant based reconstruction, typically a tissue expander is inserted first. This is a temporary inflatable device that is slowly expanded over the course of two to three months. After allowing for time for the skin to relax, the expanders are removed and breast implants are placed.
To see what breast reconstruction with implants looks like, please visit the breast photo gallery. To take a quiz to see if you have risk factors for BRCA-1 see Beverly Hills Surgical Oncologist Dr. Travis Kidner’s quiz. To read more about Angelina Jolie’s announcement, see this article. To hear Angelina Jolie discuss her choice and share her experience, please see this article.