A study reported by Charles Bankhead, that I found on medpage, updated July 20, showed very little 20-yr extra benefit from contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) (removing the unaffected breast.)
The study from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis indicated only about 1% benefit over 20 years from removing the well breast--slightly higher for "younger patients."
In the Relevance section, the article goes on to cite drastic increases in doctors removing the healthy breast in patients with low-level cancers.
More disturbing, a report from NY shows "20% of women who underwent prophylactic mastectomy from 1995 to 2005 had no risk factors for breast cancer." I feel like putting that in very big type with !!!! Had no risk factors for breast cancer!
Also striking, Europe does not report the same significant increase in CPM that we do! Have American women been victims of hype, fashion, family pressure, panic?
Are American women (and their doctors) influenced by celebrity mastectomy?
It's time we slam on the brakes. And think.
I wish you health.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/46840
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