Define Double Mastectomy
A double mastectomy is a procedure performed by a surgeon used to remove tissue from both breasts. This procedure can be performed as a preventative measure to prevent cancer from developing inside the tissue located in the breasts. It is most commonly used as a life-saving measure to stop the spread of cancer to to other parts of the body.
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History
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Doctors began performing double mastectomies after discovering the removal of the tissue from a single breast did not always prevent the development of cancer in the remaining breast tissue. The surgery can include removing the entire breast, also known as a total mastectomy, or just removing the breast tissue without removing any skin or the nipple.
Effects
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The effects of a double mastectomy can be devastating to some women. The appearance of the breast is distorted. Some women elect to have fat removed from other parts of the body and filled into the breast in order to make its shape similar to the original breast shape. Other women opt for reconstructive surgery with artificial breast implants.
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Prevention/Solution
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A woman who gets an annual mammogram test can reduce her risk of ever needing a mastectomy because the test may detect tumors in early stages. The tumors can be treated or removed, and the breast may be saved.
According to the American Cancer Society, there is no reliable way to prevent cancer, but a person can reduce the risk with exercise and a healthy diet. Other risk-reduction methods include giving up smoking, minimizing alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight.
Geography
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Surgery for a double mastectomy typically occurs in developed countries where technology is used to find, treat and cure cancer. Some patients travel to different countries to receive better medical care and a better surgeon to perform the procedure. Citizens in the United States may travel across the country to work with medical specialists and surgeons who are the best in the breast cancer field.
Advantages
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Having a double mastectomy can help prolong a woman's life. It eliminates the possibility that cancer will develop in the other breast. It also relieves the stress from the patient once treatment for the cancer is over. It also eliminates the need for further screening of the other breast. This can save time and money on medical bills.
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References
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- Photo Credit breast of girl in red 2 image by Mikhail Malyshev from Fotolia.com
