Preventive mastectomy

A preventive mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both breasts to lower the risk of developing breast cancer, especially in individuals with a strong family history or genetic factors like BRCA mutations. It reduces the chance of cancer but doesn’t eliminate it entirely. The surgery typically involves removing most or all breast tissue and may be followed by reconstructive surgery to recreate the breast’s appearance. It's a proactive choice for some at high risk, helping to prevent cancer before any signs or symptoms appear.