Source
Academic Unit of Medical Genetics and Regional Genetics Service, St Mary's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester, UK. gareth.evans@cmmc.nhs.uk
Abstract
AIM:
To establish the uptake of contralateral risk reducing mastectomy in women informed of their risks and options at time of diagnosis of their primary unilateral breast cancer.
METHODS:
We have assessed the surgical choices of 70 women diagnosed with breast cancer <50 years as part of a family history surveillance program and fully informed about their contralateral risks and surgical options. We have compared this to women from other surgical clinics who were subsequently found to harbour a pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutation.
RESULTS:
Sixty-five percent (13/20) of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and 59% (n=20/34) of those at the highest level of risk pre-diagnosis (33+% lifetime risk) opted for contra-lateral mastectomy in the study sample. In contrast only 10% (n=9/88) women identified as mutation carriers from other clinics opted for such surgery.
CONCLUSIONS:
We would suggest that women with a significant family history and therefore a high contra-lateral breast cancer risk, should have these risks and management options discussed at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer.