Risk-Reducing Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction: Indications and Evidence for Current Management Strategies

Breast cancer affects nearly every woman either personally or through a family member or friend. Awareness of associated familial and genetic risks has been steadily increasing over the last decade. Bilateral risk-reduction mastectomy seeks to decrease the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in women without abnormality but with elevated risk of developing cancer. Contralateral risk-reduction mastectomy aims to decrease the incidence of contralateral breast cancer in women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer. As understanding improves and techniques progress, the relative merits of surgical risk reduction will change as well.