Bilateral Mastectomy as an Effective Preventative Solution for Women with Genetic Predisposition to Breast Cancer
Overview
This essay argues that bilateral mastectomy is an effective preventative procedure for women with genetic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes who face significantly elevated breast cancer risk. The paper presents evidence that the procedure reduces cancer risk by 95% in mutation carriers while addressing common objections regarding survival outcomes, scarring, and quality of life improvements.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing the prevalence of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations and associated cancer risk percentages
- Discussion of bilateral mastectomy efficacy and comparative advantages over alternative treatments like lumpectomy
- Counterarguments addressing concerns about survival rates, permanent scarring, and follow-up care requirements
Preview
Woman’ Health
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Woman’s Health
Bilateral mastectomy involves the surgical removal of both breasts ultimately. I agree that the procedure is an effective preventative solution for women with all the genetic attributes for breast cancer. Women who show genetic characteristics associated with breast cancer are considered to be at a higher risk. Women who have inherited the mutation of Breast Cancer gene one (BRCA1) or Breast Cancer gene two (BRCA2) are highly susceptible to breast cancer of 56%-84% (Domchek, Friebel, Singer, Evans, Lynch, Isaacs & Pichert, 2010). Furthermore, family history of breast cancer and evidence of high-penetrance mutation in genes associated with breast cancer risk TP53 suggests an increased risk. According to research by Rebbeck et al. (2004), aged women at 70 with evidence of mutation in the BRCA1 gene had a risk of 55-65 percent of developing breast cancer and 45- 47 for those carrying the BRCA2 gene compared to the average woman who has a 12 percent risk (Rebbeck, Friebel, Lynch, Neuhausen, Vant Veer, Garber & Daly, 2004).
The surgical removal of both breasts wholly or eliminating large chunks of breast tissue while still leaving the nipples intact in treating breast cancer has proven successful. Moreover, It mitigates the possibility of breast cancer occurrence by 95% for women with a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2(Rebbeck et al., 2004). Another advantage of bilateral mastectomy is that there is no need for follow-up mammograms or breast MRIs.