posted by LC1209
26 January 2025
Elective preventative mastectomy
Last reply:
27 January 2025 11:06
Hi all, wondering if anyone has advice. I do not have BRCA gene but have a high lifetime risk of cancer based on 5 of 5 aunties and other close relatives having breast and other cancers. Doctors have advised they think it is likely another BRCA type gene that has as of yet not been discovered. I am considering a preventative double mastectomy as the cancer feels somewhat inevitable. What I was hoping to get guidance on is if there was anyone else in this situation - what were the costs involved? And was any of it covered by health insurance?
Dear LC1209.
Thank you for posting on our online forum. I am sorry to read about your family history of breast cancer, I am sure that this is a worrying time for you.
I do hope that you hear from others in a similar position who may be able to answer your query. In the meantime, I hope that this information may be helpful. Familial susceptibility to breast cancer accounts for <25% of all breast cancer cases. Women in the high-risk group include women with a family history of breast cancer (on the same side of the family) in one or more first-degree or second-degree relatives, who were diagnosed at an early age, had bilateral disease, males or had associated history of ovarian cancer. If your 5 Aunts are all from the same side of the family, you will meet the criteria to be classified as high-risk (life-time risk of developing breast cancer >30%) when compared to the average woman and can therefore consider prophylactic surgery. Research has shown that bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is associated with a reduction in the incidence of breast cancer by 90%.
Although women generally recover well from bilateral mastectomies, they may still experience long-term effects. For example, research has consistently demonstrated that body image issues were significantly affected, especially with bilateral mastectomies due to many factors, such as self-consciousness, feeling less sexually attractive, and dissatisfaction with the scars. It is also important to note that if you do not opt to have prophylactic surgery, your survival benefit will be similar to those who do, because your annual breast surveillance (mammogram) generally detects breast cancer at an early stage, where women show good prognosis.
If your consultant breast surgeon deems you a candidate for this surgery, you should not incur any costs. If you wish to use your health insurance, your surgeon will write to your health insurance company seeking pre-authorisation to proceed.
If you would like to speak to one of the cancer nurses, please call our support line. Our number is 1800 200 700, and we are here Monday-Friday, from 0900-1700.
Kind regards,
Cancer Nurse