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Mastectomies on the Rise for Breast Cancer: “The Tide Is Changing”

2009; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 16; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1245/s10434-009-0634-y

1534-4681

Charles M. Balch, Lisa K. Jacobs,

Breast Implant and Reconstruction

In this issue of the Annals are three articles that describe a substantial increase in the number of therapeutic mastectomies for breast cancer and an increased rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomies. 1–3 These publications reflect a national trend that is most likely the result of multiple factors. Of these, the major influence is a change in patient attitudes and their choices as they contemplate the benefits and risks of an increasing array of surgical options for breast cancer. Simultaneously, they are exposed to better information about future risks of contralateral disease and the increasing trend to have bilateral mastectomies to achieve a cancer treatment benefit, cancer prevention, cosmetically better symmetry of their breasts, and ‘‘peace of mind,’’ all in one surgical procedure. However, these approaches are not for everyone, and it is our burden of responsibility to ensure that patients are properly informed about all their options and know the relative risks and complications so they can be fully informed as we ask them to participate in these complex decisions.