Does Breast Reduction Reduce Cancer Risk?

If you’ve been watching the news in the last few years, you will know that there is a lot of discussion around breast cancer, genetic screening, and prophylactic mastectomies to reduce a woman’s lifetime risk of developing the disease.

There has also been some discussion about getting breast reduction surgery as a means of reducing cancer risk. So, does breast reduction reduce cancer risk? The answer is not perfectly clear. Let’s explore.

What Determines Breast Cancer Risk?

Like all cancers, there’s no specific set of traits that will guarantee you will or won’t develop breast cancer in your lifetime. But there are some things we know that increase your risk of developing breast cancer in the future.

Increased breast cancer risk can come from:

• Being positive for gene mutations that are linked to a high risk of developing breast cancer
  • BRCA1/2 are the most well-known but other mutations in the PALB2, TP53, CHEK2, ATM, BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D genes are also associated with an elevated breast cancer risk
• Having a previous breast cancer diagnosis
• Having multiple female relatives who have developed breast cancer
• Previously having radiation therapy to the chest

If these factors describe you, understand that it’s not a guarantee you will develop breast cancer; it just means you have a higher lifetime risk. The good news is, with technological, scientific, and surgical advances, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer or catching it before it can reach more advanced stages.

Does Breast Reduction Reduce Cancer Risk?

The idea behind breast reductions reducing breast cancer risk is two-fold.

1. Less breast tissue means there’s less tissue that could become cancerous.
2. Less dense tissue means screening tools like ultrasounds and mammograms will be more effective so you can detect any cancerous lesions in the early stages.

So, while breast reduction surgery may not directly reduce breast cancer risk, it can potentially improve breast health by allowing more productive breast self-examination, imaging, and early detection of abnormalities.

While breast reduction surgery is not considered a preventive measure for breast cancer, it can provide multiple benefits to your health and wellness.

If you think a breast reduction could improve your quality of life, regardless of whether it reduces your breast cancer risk, reach out to a plastic surgeon today.

What Are My Other Options to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk?

If you are at higher risk for developing breast cancer, your two main options are monitoring or preventive surgery like a prophylactic mastectomy. Deciding between these two options can feel overwhelming. It’s essential to consult with experts who can make sure you have all the information you need to make the decision that is for you.

Before deciding on increased screening and surveillance appointments or a prophylactic mastectomy, you should consider the pros and cons of each.

If you are considering a prophylactic mastectomy, a plastic surgeon can help you evaluate all the different treatment options available. You can then make a fully informed decision and get the best outcomes for both your physical health and your mental well-being.

An expert plastic surgeon can provide many additional benefits for both breast reduction and prophylactic mastectomy surgeries, including:

Interested in Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risks? Call Harris Plastic Surgery

If you are worried about developing breast cancer and are asking, “Does breast reduction reduce cancer risk?” you have a range of options beyond breast reduction to put your mind at ease — from screening to surgery. Consulting early with a plastic surgeon can give you peace of mind and expert coordination of your medical care.