Indication, part 2

Breast removal (mastectomy), is performed most frequently for cancer of the breast. Occasionally, in patients with a strong family history of breast cancer and genetic abnormalities that predispose them to breast cancer, bilateral prophylactic mastectomies are performed to prevent the future occurrence of breast cancer.

Review Date: 6/7/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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