Study Examines Prophylactic Double Mastectomy Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Main Point:

Many women diagnosed with cancer in one breast consider, and eventually undergo, a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) to remove both breasts, although few of them have a clinically significant risk of developing cancer in both breasts.

Published in:

JAMA Surgery

Author:

Sarah T. Hawley, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, and colleagues.

Background:

Patients deciding to undergo CPM as part of initial treatment for breast cancer is a growing challenge in management of the disease. Removing the unaffected breast has not been shown to increase survival. The Society of Surgical Oncology suggests CPM be considered for a minority of patients at higher than average risk of developing cancer in both breasts, especially those patients with a genetic mutation or a strong family history with at least two first-degree relatives.   

How the Study Was Conducted:

The authors conducted a survey of 2,290 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and reported to the Detroit and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries from June 2005 to February 2007 and again four years later from June 2009 to February 2010.

Results:

Of the 1,447 women (average age 59 years) in the sample, 18.9 percent strongly considered CPM and 7.6 percent had the procedure done. Of those who strongly considered CPM, 32.2 percent had the procedure, while 45.8 percent underwent unilateral mastectomy (removal of one breast) and 22.8 percent received breast conservation surgery to remove the cancer but not their breast. The majority of patients (68.9 percent) who underwent CPM had no major genetic or family risk factors. Among women who received CPM, 80 percent reported they had the procedure to prevent breast cancer in the other breast. Most women who had CPM also had breast reconstruction surgery. Undergoing CPM was associated with factors that included genetic testing, a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, higher education and a greater worry about cancer recurrence.

Discussion:

“The growing rate of CPM has motivated some surgeons to question whether performing an extensive operation that is not clinically indicated is justified to reduce the fear of disease recurrence. Increased attention by surgeons coupled with decision tools directed at patients to aid in the delivery of risk and benefit information and to facilitate discussion could reduce the possibility of overtreatment in breast cancer.”

Reference:

Sarah T. Hawley PhD, MPH, Reshma Jagsi MD, DPhil, Monica Morrow MD, Nancy K. Janz PhD, Ann Hamilton PhD, John J. Graff PhD, Steven J. Katz MD, MPH. Social and Clinical Determinants of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy. JAMA Surg. 2014; 149(6):-. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2013.5689

Editor’s Note:

This work was funded by grants to the University of Michigan from the National Institutes of Health. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Commentary: An Opportunity for Shared Decision Making

In a related commentary, Shoshana M. Rosenberg, Sc.D., and Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, write: “Decision making surrounding early breast cancer, with respect to CPM in particular, provides an opportunity to encourage a supportive, shared decision-making approach. Not only should pros and cons of different treatment options be communicated, but there needs to be consideration of the patient’s personal circumstances and perceptions, all the while addressing anxiety and concerns about breast cancer recurrence and new primary disease (and the distinction between the two). Finding balance around this issue, like the decision process itself, should be a goal shared by patients and clinicians alike.”

Reference:

Shoshana M. Rosenberg ScD, MPH, Ann H. Partridge MD, MPH. Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: An Opportunity for Shared Decision Making. JAMA Surg. 2014; 149(6):-. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2013.5713

Editor’s Note:

An author made a funding disclosure. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Media Advisory:

To contact author Sarah T. Hawley, Ph.D., M.P.H., call Nicole Fawcett at 734-764-2220 or email nfawcett@umich.edu. To contact commentary author Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., call Anne Doerr at 617-632-5665 or email anne_doerr@dfci.harvard.edu.