Initial experiences of women from hereditary breast cancer families after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy: a retrospective study

Background: Women from families with breast and/or ovarian cancers seek adv ice and counselling for risk assessment, but they also want information abo ut preventive measures that might reduce their risk of developing these neo plasms. Patients and methods: This study was undertaken in order to assess 15 women 's experience with the decision-making process prior to undergoing prophyla ctic bilateral mastectomy (PM) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). I t was also designed to determine the degree of the women's satisfaction wit h the information delivered by the different caregivers, and whether the wo men felt that their need for psychosocial support was appropriately met. An additional goal was to learn about the patients' satisfaction with the ope rations. Results: The women found it difficult to translate the genetic information transmitted to them, although they were satisfied by the way it was given. At some stage during the pre-operative and post-operative period nearly all women stated that they lacked psychological support from the different car egivers. No woman regretted her choice to undergo PM and IBR. By far, the m ost important issue was the actual risk reduction. However, the result exce eded all patients' initial expectations. When performing PM and IBR, a mult idisciplinary team approach, including a psychologist, seems mandatory. It will facilitate the overall management of this group of women. (C) 2000 Har court Publishers Ltd.