Breast cancer patients seeking to improve survival odds through double mastectomy following a diagnosis in one breast may reconsider, as a recent study challenges its efficacy. Published in JAMA Oncology, the study examined outcomes among 661,270 women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer between 2000 and 2019. Contrary to common belief, opting for bilateral mastectomy—removal of both breasts, even when only one is affected—did not confer survival advantages over less invasive options like lumpectomy or unilateral mastectomy.
Over the nearly two-decade period analyzed, the study found no significant difference in mortality rates among the three surgical groups. Specifically, the risk of developing cancer in the other breast stood at 7% for those who underwent any surgical intervention. Shockingly, death rates from breast cancer were comparable across the board: 8.5% for lumpectomy patients, 9% for unilateral mastectomy patients, and 8.5% for those who opted for mastectomies.
While preventive surgery remains crucial for individuals with high genetic risk, such as carriers of BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, or PTEN mutations, its impact on survival for unilateral breast cancer patients appears limited by this study’s findings. Considerations should also weigh heavily on factors like age and mental health, according to the National Cancer Institute. Another study highlighted the potential long-term quality-of-life implications of surgery choices, particularly for young women confronting early-stage breast cancer or heightened risk profiles.
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