scholarly journals Body Image in BRCA-Positive Young Women Following Bilateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Torrisi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Intimate Relationships ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Reducing ◽  
Brca Gene Mutation

Background/Significance: The presence of a breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutation increases a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy is a proactive treatment option which lowers that risk. However, breast removal can create a change in physical appearance. It is unclear if BRCA-positive women undergoing this surgery in young adulthood, a life stage where intimate relationships, families, and careers are being established, have the same experience with body image as women in later stages of life.Purpose: The aim of this literature review is to assess how bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy impacts body image in young BRCA-positive women less than 40 years of age, with no history of breast cancer.Methods: Database searches were performed, yielding 402 results. Studies were considered if participants had an increased lifetime breast cancer risk/BRCA-positive diagnosis and history of bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy, body image was evaluated, and mean age was less than 40 years. A total of three qualitative studies and three quantitative studies were identified as relevant for this review.Results: A dearth of information exists on body image in young women following bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy. It was found in this review that some women experienced a decline in body image following surgery, while in others body image was maintained or improved.Conclusion: Understanding factors that impact body image following this risk-reducing surgery will allow clinicians to support this unique population. Open and informative discussion should be encouraged with young women considering, or who have undergone, bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy.

scholarly journals Expanding the search for germline pathogenic variants for breast cancer. How far should we go and how high should we jump? The missed opportunity!

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikmat Abdel-Razeq
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Brca1 And Brca2 ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Panel Testing ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Gene Panel Testing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Reducing ◽  
Current Guidelines ◽  
Missed Opportunity

Since the identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes 3 decades ago, genetic testing and genetic counseling have become an integral part of routine clinical practice. The risk of breast cancer among carriers of germline pathogenic variants, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, is well established. Risk-reducing interventions, including bilateral mastectomies and salpingo-oophorectomies are both effective and have become more acceptable. Many researchers and professional societies view current guidelines as restrictive and may miss many at-risk women, and are calling to expand testing to include all patients with breast cancer, regardless of their personal or family history of cancer, while others are calling for wider adoption to even include all healthy women at age 30 or older. This review will address expanding testing in two directions; horizontally to include more patients, and even healthy women, and vertically to include more genes using next-generation sequencing-based multi-gene panel testing.

scholarly journals Improved Overall Survival after Contralateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy in Brca1/2 Mutation Carriers with a History of Unilateral Breast Cancer: A Prospective Analysis

2014 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette AM Heemskerk-Gerritsen ◽  
Matti A Rookus ◽  
Cora M Aalfs ◽  
Margreet GEM Aussems ◽  
Johanna M Collée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Unilateral Breast Cancer ◽  
Mutation Carriers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Reducing

scholarly journals Body image problems in women with and without breast cancer 6–20 years after bilateral risk-reducing surgery – A prospective follow-up study

The Breast ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Bai ◽  
Brita Arver ◽  
Hemming Johansson ◽  
Kerstin Sandelin ◽  
Marie Wickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Risk Reducing ◽  
Image Problems

scholarly journals Long-term effects of first degree family history of breast cancer in young women: Recurrences and bilateral breast cancer

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan J. Jobsen ◽  
Job van der Palen ◽  
Mariël Brinkhuis ◽  
Francisca Ong ◽  
Henk Struikmans
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Family History ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Bilateral Breast Cancer ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
History Of

Genetic testing in young women with breast cancer: Results from a web-based survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 21093-21093
Author(s):  
J. A. Shin ◽  
S. Gelber ◽  
J. Garber ◽  
R. Rosenberg ◽  
M. Przypyszny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Genetic Testing ◽  
Family History ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Young Women ◽  
College Education ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

21093 Background: Young women with breast cancer have an increased risk of harboring a BRCA1/2 mutation. The frequency of genetic testing in this population is not well described. We evaluated the reported frequency and factors associated with genetic testing among young breast cancer survivors identified through the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), an international advocacy group for young women with breast cancer. Methods: Items regarding family history and genetic testing were included in a large web-based survey addressing quality of life and fertility issues for young women with breast cancer. All YSC members were invited by email in March 2003 (N= 1,703 women) to participate in this cross-sectional survey. Results: 657 women completed the on-line survey; 622 were eligible for this analysis (age <40, no metastatic or recurrent disease). Mean age at breast cancer diagnosis was 33 years; mean age when surveyed 35.5 years. Stages included: 0 (10%), I (27%), II (49%), III (12%), missing (3%). 90% of women were white; 64% married; 49% with children; 78% had at least a college education; 42% of women reported a 1st or 2nd degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer, and 13% considered themselves high-risk for harboring a genetic mutation at the time of diagnosis. At the time of the survey, 23% of women had undergone genetic testing, and 26% of those tested reported that a mutation was found. In a multivariate model, women who were younger (age 36–40 vs. age =30, O.R. 2.26, p=0.004), more educated (< college vs. > college education, O.R. 2.62, p=0.0009), had a family history of breast or ovarian cancer (O.R. 3.15, p<0.0001), and had had a mastectomy (O.R. 1.99, p=0.001) were more likely to have undergone genetic testing. Non-significant covariates included: age at survey, stage, time since diagnosis, race, marital status, employment, finances, insurance, number of children, comorbidities, baseline anxiety and depression, and fear of recurrence. Conclusion: The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer age 40 and younger do not undergo genetic testing. Younger, more educated women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are more likely to get tested. Further research to define the appropriateness of genetic testing in this relatively high-risk population is warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Sexual functioning in young women with breast cancer.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9100-9100
Author(s):  
Shoshana Rosenberg ◽  
Rulla M. Tamimi ◽  
Shari I. Gelber ◽  
Kathryn Jean Ruddy ◽  
Sandra Kereakoglow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Breast Cancer Prevention Trial ◽  
Pain Symptoms

9100 Background: Sexual dysfunction is a known complication of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer and an important determinant of quality of life. Little is known about the frequency and magnitude of this problem among very young women with breast cancer during the year following diagnosis. Methods: 298 sexually-active women enrolled in an ongoing multi-center cohort study with Stage 0-III breast cancer at or before age 40 were included in this analysis. Treatment data was self-reported on a survey mailed to participants at enrollment. Sexual functioning was assessed using the sexual interest and dysfunction subscales from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES). Scores range from 0-4, with higher scores indicative of poorer function. The survey included a measure of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), of body image (CARES) and of physical and menopausal symptoms (Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist). Mean differences in CARES scores between treatment groups (chemotherapy vs. none; hormone therapy vs. none; lumpectomy vs. mastectomy vs. mastectomy + reconstruction vs. no surgery; radiation vs. none) were compared using T-tests and ANOVA. Multiple regression models were fit to assess symptoms thought to be mediators of the treatment-sexual functioning association. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 36 (range: 22-40) years and mean time from diagnosis to survey completion was 5 months (range: 1-16). Mean CARES sexual interest and dysfunction scores were higher in women who received chemotherapy compared to those who did not (p<0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, chemotherapy was no longer associated with decreased sexual interest or function. Anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, and poorer body image were predictive of both decreased sexual interest and function. Vaginal pain symptoms were associated with greater dysfunction, while unhappiness with appearance was associated with decreased interest. Conclusions: Young women who receive chemotherapy are at risk for problems related to sexual functioning early in the survivorship period. This effect appears to be mediated through several physiologic and psychologic mechanisms, underscoring the need for interventions that target both.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document