Erin Hofstatter, MD, discusses the important risks and benefits to consider when deciding on preventive surgery for patients at high-risk for breast cancer.
Erin Hofstatter, MD, from Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Medical School discusses the risks and benefits that should be told to a patient at high-risk for breast cancer considering preventive surgery.
While preventive mastectomy can offer a better quality of life and almost entirely remove the risk of cancer, there are considerable risks to consider. With surgery, there is a lengthy recovery period, the potential for complications, and cosmetic issues that can arise. Hofstatter stresses that it is a big decision and is the best choice for some patients, but not all.