A mastectomy is one of the most life changing surgical procedures that a woman can go through. It is the surgical removal of a woman's breast. Angelina Jolie recently made headlines with her decision to undergo a double mastectomy because of a faulty gene that exists in her genetic makeup. This gene is scientifically known as the BRCA1 gene. Mutations of this gene can lead to breast and ovarian cancer. Jolie expressed her personal opinions about the surgery and spoke very highly of genetic testing. Jolie was not diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer but after committing to genetic testing, doctors advised her that she had a very high risk of receiving breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Preventative Mastectomies on the Rise
More women are opting to undergo mastectomies as a method of cancer prevention. The amount of women who have chosen to have a mastectomy has skyrocketed by as much as 50 percent in recent years. The American Society of Breast Surgeons completed a study which confirmed this fact. In the year 2000, 12 percent of women with a condition called lobular carcinoma in situ, underwent preventative mastectomies. In 2009 that percentage was 19 percent. Raising awareness about medical issues that affect society is necessary. However, things can be taken out of proportion when hyperawareness takes place. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. In the year 2012, there were 230,000 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. Only 40,000 of those women succumbed to the disease.
Mastectomies are often thought of as a controversial procedure due to the seriousness of this type of surgery. These surgeries can take as much as six to seven hours long. There may also be a need for consecutive surgeries. Healing and recovery times should also be factored into the equation. Women who undergo this surgical procedure have expressed feelings of losing their femininity. There are women who believe that they will never be diagnosed with cancer if they undergo a mastectomy. Mastectomies do not carry a 100% guarantee that an individual will never be diagnosed with cancer. Even though Angelina Jolie endured a double mastectomy, there is still a small risk that she could get cancer. Women who opt to undergo a mastectomy as a preventative cancer method should understand this.
Even though the mastectomy is a verified and legal medical procedure, the idea that cancer can be prevented by having body parts removed is a bit absurd. There are many other forms of cancer that can affect other parts of the body but surgical removal of these body parts are never thought of as a preventative measure nor recommended. Should mastectomies continue to be used as a preventative cancer measure when many women have easily expressed unhappiness and loss of their femininity after experiencing this surgery? There are other options that women can choose as a preventative measure against deadly diseases such as breast cancer. Mastectomies should not be encouraged, especially if a woman does not actually have breast cancer. There are many people who carry genes for certain diseases who live to never contract these gene-specific diseases at all. Genetics are only one part of the equation when it comes to understanding why cancer develops. Along with genetics; lifestyle, environmental conditions, wellness and nutrition should equally be considered before choosing to undergo drastic and life-altering preventative cancer procedures.
Breast Reconstruction and Implants after Mastectomies
After having a mastectomy, women may have the option to also undergo breast reconstruction in order to help restore their past physical appearance. Breast reconstruction carries risks and can result in further complications. Implants can rupture, form lumps around the implant and produce inflammation, infections, scarring and hardened tissue in the chest area.
French health minister, Xavier Bertrand, has even went so far as to urge women to have their implants removed. Last year the FDA reported that one in five women with silicone implants will need to have them removed within 10 years.
Silicone implants were once banned by the FDA for fourteen years beginning in 1992. They were reintroduced and made legal in the U.S. again in 2006 because of lobbyists. There are toxic chemicals that reside in silicone implants. These include talcum powder, epoxy resin, polyvinyl chloride and acetone.
Dr. Edward Mehmed, a prominent cosmetic surgeon who has done thousands of breast implants surgeries warned others about its dangers in an article entitled, "Silicone implants, they're still dangerous." If the goal of the mastectomy is health and prevention of cancer, then why are silicone implants encouraged for reconstruction purposes when they possess known industrial toxins? Odd as this may be, receiving silicone implants seems to be counterproductive to the prevention of cancer and disease.
Angelina Jolie should be applauded for having the guts to speak publicly about her personal experience surrounding breast and ovarian cancer. However, women should be sure that they are well informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of the mastectomy before they choose it as a method for cancer prevention.
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