Pre-Emptive Mastectomy and Salpingo Oopherectomy: What’s the Better Procedure to Prevent Breast Cancer?
Every year, millions of American women struggle with breast cancer. As the American Cancer Society found earlier this year, 252,720 American women are expected to develop breast cancer on an annual growth rate of 2.40%. Because of this, advances in the treatment of breast cancer are being made every day.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when seeking treatment for breast cancer is to establish a strong level of trust with your physicians. This trust extends itself towards a surgical plan for your recovery and the reconstruction of your body.
Two Major Procedures to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
At this time, there are just two major procedures available today that allow women to reduce the risk of the disease developing at a later stage in their lives:
1. Bilateral Prophylactic (Pre-Emptive) Mastectomy
This is currently the most popular treatment plan. In this procedure, the breasts are surgically removed and then reconstructed using breast implants, flap-based techniques or a combination of both. There are four types of mastectomy which varies on the level of breast cancer risk on patients.
2. Salpingo Oophorectomy
This involves the surgical removal of the ovaries and often the fallopian tubes from pre-menopausal women at a very high risk of breast cancer. In addition, the procedure can significantly lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 90%.
The procedure works in a two-fold process; without the ovaries and fallopian tubes, the production of estrogen decreases. Without a substantial amount of estrogen in the body, breast cancer cells often cannot grow.
Knowing it’s You
“Qualifying for preventive surgery should be easy to determine. It simply involves knowing the history of breast cancer in your family and running tests to determine the presence of BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations in your body.”
If tested positive, I recommend seeking the advice of a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of cancer along with a board-certified plastic surgeon with a background in reconstructive surgery.
Consequences
Reducing the risk of breast cancer through both these procedures will pose a number of challenges to the body.
Women who do opt for a salpingo oophorectomy will experience early menopause. Because estrogen is vital in sustaining the body’s bone-building capabilities, the permanent absence of hormones poses a great risk of developing osteoporosis over time.
And in addition, the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes can result in a decreased sex drive, discomfort with intercourse and a risk of developing uterine cancer.
For women to undergo a pre-emptive mastectomy, they may experience the emotional trauma that comes along with losing their breasts. However, the breasts themselves can be surgically reconstructed during or after a mastectomy.
Advancements in flap-based reconstructive techniques can allow some sensation in the breasts to return slowly over time. Some techniques are advanced enough that it can even maintain the existing sensation in the area.
“It is incredibly vital to know the risks associated with pre-emptive surgery”. Every woman is unique and must decide on a course of treatment that’s best for her.”
Deciding What’s Right for You
For many women, the treatment options above can be just as overwhelming as the decision to undergo pre-emptive surgery. In addition to seeking a consultation with specialists, I recommend getting a second and third set of opinions to help plan the best course of treatment.
“Before making a decision, it’s important to always seek another set of opinions. “This will provide a possible patient with a number of options that will help them come up with a treatment plan they are comfortable with.”
Once a surgical plan has been decided, it is important for patients to remember that they are in the hands of specialists who have dedicated their entire careers to aid in the fight against breast cancer.
Regardless of the course of treatment you are comfortable with, an early screening for breast cancer will ensure that your future lies in safe hands.
