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Published in:

01-02-2007

Quality of Life After Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Authors: Ann M. Geiger, PhD, Larissa Nekhlyudov, MD, Lisa J. Herrinton, PhD, Sharon J. Rolnick, PhD, Sarah M. Greene, MPH, Carmen N. West, MS, Emily L. Harris, PhD, Joann G. Elmore, MD, Andrea Altschuler, PhD, In-Liu A. Liu, MS, Suzanne W. Fletcher, MD, Karen M. Emmons, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 2/2007

Abstract

Background

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with increased breast cancer risk dramatically reduces breast cancer occurrence but little is known about psychosocial outcomes.

Methods

To examine long-term quality of life after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, we mailed surveys to 195 women who had the procedure from 1979 to 1999 and to a random sample of 117 women at increased breast cancer risk who did not have the procedure. Measures were modeled on or drawn directly from validated instruments designed to assess quality of life, body image, sexuality, breast cancer concerns, depression, health perception, and demographic characteristics. We used logistic regression to examine associations between quality of life and other domains.

Results

The response rate was 58%, with 106 women with and 62 women without prophylactic mastectomy returning complete surveys. Among women who underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, 84% were satisfied with their decision to have the procedure; 61% reported high contentment with quality of life compared with an identical 61% of women who did not have the procedure (P = 1.0). Among all subjects, diminished contentment with quality of life was not associated with bilateral prophylactic mastectomy but with dissatisfaction with sex life (adjusted ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0–6.2), possible depression (CES-D > 16, OR = 4.9, CI = 2.0–11.8), and poor or fair general health perception (OR = 8.3, 95% CI = 2.4–29.0).

Conclusions

The majority of women reported satisfaction with bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and experienced psychosocial outcomes similar to women with similarly elevated breast cancer risk who did not undergo prophylactic mastectomy. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy appears to neither positively nor negatively impact long-term psychosocial outcomes.

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Title: Quality of Life After Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Authors: Ann M. Geiger, PhD
Larissa Nekhlyudov, MD
Lisa J. Herrinton, PhD
Sharon J. Rolnick, PhD
Sarah M. Greene, MPH
Carmen N. West, MS
Emily L. Harris, PhD
Joann G. Elmore, MD
Andrea Altschuler, PhD
In-Liu A. Liu, MS
Suzanne W. Fletcher, MD
Karen M. Emmons, PhD
Publication date: 01-02-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-006-9206-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Quality of Life After Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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