Why might I need a mastectomy?
A mastectomy may be done as part of treatment for breast cancer. Your physician will likely advise you to have a mastectomy if:
- The tumor is large
- The tumor involves more than one area of your breast
- Using radiation therapy is not advised
The size of your breast may also help determine the type of mastectomy that is done.
In some cases, women with a high risk of breast cancer may want to have a mastectomy before cancer develops; this includes women with genes linked to breast cancer, as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. In these cases, a mastectomy is done to try to keep breast cancer from occurring.
Types of mastectomy procedures
Breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy
You may worry about how your breast will look after a mastectomy. In most cases, breast reconstruction surgery can be done to rebuild the breast so it is the size and shape of your other breast. Many women have breast reconstruction done at the same time as the mastectomy; some wait and have it done as a second surgery later. Always talk with your physician about reconstructive surgery options.
Tell your physician
Tell your physician if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling or bleeding or other drainages from the incision site
- Increased pain around the incision site
- Swelling, numbness or tingling of the affected arm
If you have problems dealing with your recovery, your physician may refer you to a volunteer agency or group for support.
Your physician may give you other instructions depending on your situation.
What happens after a mastectomy?
Tell your physician
Tell your physician if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling or bleeding or other drainages from the incision site
- Increased pain around the incision site
- Swelling, numbness or tingling of the affected arm
If you have problems dealing with your recovery, your physician may refer you to a volunteer agency or group for support.
Your physician may give you other instructions depending on your situation.
What is a mastectomy?
A mastectomy is a surgery to remove a breast, sometimes other tissues near the breast are also removed. This procedure is part of treatment for breast cancer.
In some cases, a mastectomy is done to prevent cancer from occurring in women who have a high risk for breast cancer.