BRCA-1 & BRCA-2

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have been linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.  The risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer is greatly increased with a BRCA mutation.  If the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is found, several options are available to help manage cancer risk.  These options include surveillance with clinical exams, mammography and MRI; prophylactic surgery to include mastectomies and/or salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries); risk avoidance such as alcohol avoidance, maintaining a healthy weight, decreasing dietary fats; and chemoprevention with Tamoxifen or raloxifene.  These options should be discussed with your oncologist, geneticist or general surgeon.

BRCA positive women and BRCA negative women with a strong family history of breast cancer often elect to undergo prophylactic mastectomies.  Working closely with our general surgeons, we can offer areolar-sparing or nipple sparing mastectomies with immediate reconstruction utilizing autologous abdominal or gluteal tissue.  This allows for a more natural appearing and feeling breast.  Our goal is to minimize the scarring around the breast to provide the most aesthetically appearing restoration.  Although we cannot re-establish erogenous sensation, in most cases we can reestablish sensation in the breast by re-attaching a nerve in the breast during the restoration process.  The choice for an areolar-sparing or a nipple-sparing mastectomy is a decision to be made with your general surgeon.