QIMR researchers, as part of an international collaboration, have found that a gene that is most commonly associated with skin pigmentation, hair and eye colour may influence a patient's chances of surviving cancer.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered that breast stem cells are exquisitely sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone....
Developed by the Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital and the Centre for Genetics Education, NSW Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW
What is breast cancer preventive surgery -
This surgery involves removal of tissue at-risk to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. Preventive mastectomy (removal of healthy breast tissue). The option of preventive surgery is one that some women with a strong family history may consider. This may be particularly so if it has been established that they have inherited a faulty gene that increases their chance of breast or ovarian cancer.
The choice to have a preventive mastectomy is a very personal one, there is no right or wrong decision.
Preventive mastectomy involves the removal of breast tissue in an effort to prevent breast cancer. A preventive mastectomy cannot 100% prevent you from breast cancer but it can reduce your risk by as much as 95%.
When deciding if this type of surgery is right for you, it is important to know what is involved. Talking to a breast surgeon, researching or talking to some who has had the operation are all helpful when deciding what is right for you. As with all types of surgery outcome and recovery may differ, so it is important to choose an endorsed and qualified Breast Care Team.
Am I still at risk for breast cancer after prophylactic mastectomy?
The answer is yes. Although this greatly reduces your chances of developing breast cancer, it is not a guarantee. It is almost impossible to remove all the breast tissue. Even though it is unlikely, cancer can still develop in the tissue that is left on the chest wall or underarm area. That is why it is important to schedule regular medical and breast exams after surgery to make sure that any breast cancer is caught early.
Christine Applegate decided to have this surgery due to DCIS being detected in one breast.
Ovarian Preventive Surgery - there are different types of surgery available:
Salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of healthy fallopian tubes and ovaries) and a total Hysterectomy (removal of all reproductive organs).
In recent research it has been shown that a Salpingo-oophorectomy can reduce the risk of breast cancer by a relative amount.
Obviously any type of surgery should not be taken lightly and seeking advice from your health care professional is an essential part of the process.
"There is now substantial evidence to support risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (rrBSO) for the prevention of cancer in some women"
