Long-term Satisfaction and Psychological and Social Function Following Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Abstract

This study suggests that positive outcomes following prophylactic mastectomy include decreased emotional concern about developing breast cancer and generally favorable psychological and social outcomes. These must be weighed against the irreversibility of the decision, potential problems with implants and reconstructive surgery, and occurrence of adverse psychological and social outcomes in some women. JAMA. 2000;284:319-324

Can self-esteem, mastery and perceived stigma predict long-term adjustment in women carrying a BRCA1/2-mutation? Evidence from a multi-center study

“…Both groups had to participate in long-term intensified surveillance programs, where confronted with decision making regarding prophylactic surgery, and experienced the same familial implications with regard to hereditary risk. In contrast to other studies [18,27], carriers in this study who had undergone prophylactic mastectomy or oophorectomy did not differ in cancer-related anxiety from women who rely on intensified surveillance only. This is not likely due to a lack of statistical power given our fairly large sample.…”

High satisfaction rate ten years after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy - a longitudinal study

“…All perceived that the operation had reduced the risk of contracting breast cancer; eleven women even regarded their risk as negligible or zero. This finding is in accordance with the results of other studies which concluded that the participating women's emotional concerns about developing breast cancer are reduced after BPM (Frost et al . 2000).…”

Anticipatory Loss and Early Mastectomy for Young Female BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers

“…Postsurgery, many women reported being able to put their cancer risk in perspective and not allow it to take over so much of their consciousness, time, and energy, freeing them to be more fully present as partners, mothers, daughters, and so forth. This is consistent with previous research suggesting that women in this population experience generally positive psychological outcomes (Frost et al, 2000) and high rates of satisfaction (Borgen et al, 1998; Frost et al; Meijers-Heijboer et al, 2000; Stefanek, Hartmann, & Nelson, 2001), as well as reductions in anxiety (Brandberg et al, 2008), low rates of regret (Isern, Tengrup, Loman, Olsson, & Ringberg, 2008), and healthy levels of psychosocial functioning long term (Geiger et al, 2006). Additionally, it is consistent with carriers’ attempts to preserve their sense of self as they cope with the implications of their BRCA1/2 mutations (Howard et al, 2011).…”