BRCA
BRCA 1 & BRCA 2 gene mutations have been linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased with a BRCA mutation.
If the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is found, several options are available to help manage cancer risk. These options include:
- surveillance with clinical exams
- mammography and MRI
- prophylactic surgery to include mastectomies and/or salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries)
- risk avoidance such as alcohol avoidance, maintaining a healthy weight, decreasing dietary fats
- chemoprevention with Tamoxifen or raloxifene.
These options should be discussed with your oncologist, geneticist, or general surgeon.
BRCA positive women, and BRCA negative women with a strong family history of breast cancer, often elect to undergo prophylactic mastectomies. Working closely with our general surgeons, we can offer areolar-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomies with immediate reconstruction utilizing natural tissue or implant based reconstruction. A nipple-sparing mastectomy in combination with immediate breast reconstruction allows for a more natural appearing and feeling breast. Our goal is to minimize the scarring around the breast to provide the most aesthetically appearing restoration. The choice for the type of mastectomy you undergo is a decision to be made with your general surgeon.
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