A protocol for preventative mastectomy in women with an increased lifetimerisk of breast cancer

This paper describes a protocol for women at high risk of breast cancer wis hing to undergo preventative mastectomy. The protocol described is a holist ic approach to each woman involving the use of a multidisciplinary team. Th e protocol takes a number of months from initiation to surgery. A time dela y is deliberate to allow women to fully address the issues involved with a decision for surgery. Early evidence suggests that this prepares the Nomen emotionally and physically for their surgery. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.