Preventive mastectomy in patients at breast cancer risk due to genetic alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene.

BACKGROUND

The availability of genetic testing for inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene provides potentially valuable information to women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

METHODS AND FOCUS

We review the literature on the value of prophylactic surgical strategies in patients with hereditary predisposition to develop breast cancer and discuss the surgical options available in high-risk cancer patients, decision analyses, and possible complications.

RESULTS

Preventive surgical interventions to reduce cancer risk in high-risk patients are often strongly recommended. A patient's life-time risk to develop breast cancer in the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is 50-90%. Despite the reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy often leads to significant physical and psychological sequelae.