Preventative Mastectomies Could Cut Thousands of Breast Cancer Cases

A study suggests that more women may benefit from preventative mastectomies to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. The analysis, published in the JAMA Oncology journal, found that if all women aged 30-55 with a 35% or higher risk of breast cancer underwent risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM), an estimated 6,538 cases could be prevented in the UK each year. This is equivalent to around 11% of the 59,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually. The study recommends that women with other genes, such as ATM, CHEK2, RAD51C, and RAD51D, who may be at risk due to various factors, including family history, reproductive choices, and mammogram density, should be assessed for RRM.

Key Takeaways:

• The study suggests that preventative mastectomies could cut around 6,500 breast cancer cases annually in UK women.
• Women with BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, RAD51C, and RAD51D genes, and those with a family history, low childbirth, no breastfeeding, and high mammogram density, may be at increased risk of breast cancer.
• A mechanism called "cascade testing" could help identify women at high risk of breast cancer by offering genetic tests to family members of women with linked genes.
• The study finds that RRM is cost-effective for women aged 30-55 with a lifetime breast cancer risk of 35% or more.
• Preventative mastectomies are currently only offered to women with BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genes.
• Women at high risk of breast cancer can also be offered regular screening and medication.
• The study recommends further research to evaluate the acceptability, uptake, and long-term outcomes of RRM among women at high risk.

Statistics:

• UK women have an 11% chance of developing breast cancer across their lifetime.
• 59,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
• An estimated 6,538 cases of breast cancer could be prevented annually in the UK if all women aged 30-55 with a 35% or higher risk of breast cancer underwent RRM.
• RRM could potentially prevent 11% of the 59,000 cases diagnosed annually in the UK.

Sources:

• JAMA Oncology journal - Economic evaluation study on the cost-effectiveness of risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) in women aged 30-55.
• Queen Mary University of London - Researchers involved in the study on the benefits of RRM for women at high risk of breast cancer.
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) - Collaboration with Queen Mary University of London on the study.
• Breast Cancer Now - Comments from a senior clinical nurse specialist on the complexities of risk-reducing surgery for breast cancer.