Should I have a preventive double mastectomy?
Should I have a preventive double mastectomy?
Like any type of surgery, a mastectomy can have risks and side effects, some of which could affect your quality of life. Because of this, preventive surgery is not usually a good option for women who are at average risk of breast cancer, or for those who are at only slightly increased risk.
Does insurance pay for preventive double mastectomy?
Insurance coverage No federal laws require insurance companies to cover prophylactic mastectomy. Some state laws require coverage for prophylactic mastectomy, but coverage varies state to state. It’s best to check with your insurance company to learn about your plan’s coverage. Learn more about health insurance.
What is preventive double mastectomy?
In hopes of avoiding future disease, some women at very high risk of developing breast cancer elect to have both breasts surgically removed, a procedure called bilateral prophylactic mastectomy or preventive mastectomy. The surgery aims to remove all breast tissue that potentially could develop breast cancer.
Is a preventative mastectomy worth it?
Prophylactic mastectomy can reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in women at high risk of the disease: For women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of developing breast cancer by 90 to 95 percent.
Who qualifies for preventive mastectomy?
Prophylactic mastectomy may be considered medically necessary when ONE or more of the following risk factors are present: Those with a strong family history of breast cancer such as: Having a mother, sister, and/or daughter who was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer or with breast cancer before age 50 years; or.
How much does a prophylactic mastectomy cost?
For patients not covered by health insurance, a mastectomy typically costs more than $15,000-$55,000 , not including breast reconstruction. For example, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee[2] estimates a cost of more than $15,000 for a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.
Are nipples removed in prophylactic mastectomy?
Nipple-sparing mastectomy leaves the nipple and areola intact, along with the breast skin. All the breast tissue underneath the nipple, areola, and breast skin is removed. The tissue beneath the nipple and areola are checked for cancer.
How much is a preventative mastectomy?
How long are you off work after a double mastectomy?
You will probably be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 3 to 6 weeks. This depends on the type of work you do and any further treatment. Your doctor will let you know how soon you can take showers or baths.
How long does a prophylactic mastectomy take?
Before the procedure A mastectomy without reconstruction usually takes one to three hours. The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure, and most people go home on the same day of the operation.
Can you elect to have a double mastectomy?
When cancer invades one breast, many women opt to remove both. Two new studies highlight the trend toward elective double mastectomy. An increasing number of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast are choosing to have both breasts removed.