Mastectomy Side Effects Lawsuit Breast Cancer Lawsuit

Mastectomy Side Effects Lawsuit Breast Cancer Lawsuit

Mastectomy Side Effects Lawsuit Breast Cancer Lawsuit

The recent disclosure of preemptive double mastectomy by actress Angelina Jolie has led to nationwide debate on the new approach to prevent the potential risk of breast cancer. On 14 May, the 37-year-old Oscar-winning actress revealed about her “positive experience” of bringing down odds of developing breast and ovarian cancer from 87 percent to just five percent following double mastectomy. She was found to be carrying a gene mutation that holds potential breast and ovarian cancer risk. Jolie, one of the most glamorous females in the movie world, underwent "oncoplastic" surgery that includes mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery to restore appearance, and was discharged from hospital on April 27, 2013 following three-month long treatment.

Breast cancer survivors debate over public endorsement and personal adoption of preventive breast removal surgeries by their favorite celebrity. Doctors are of the opinion that preventative double mastectomy that needs surgical removal of breasts rules out breast and ovarian cancer risk to a significant extent. There is no fear of disfiguring or psychological scar as reconstruction surgeries allowing faster recuperation, better cosmetic results, fewer side effects, and superior treatment are available.

However, oncology experts suggest caution and advise people to gain adequate knowledge prior to undergoing preventive mastectomy. Many of them do not prefer to suggest the drastic breast removal surgery Joile underwent before exhausting other options. The messages put emphasis on two key points, the treatment Jolie had cannot be generalized for all those at risk of breast cancer and just blood test is not the last option to determine the genetic risk. Mastectomy is one of the options that reduce the risk. Latest breast MRI and medical technologies can identify tiny lumps even at the minimal stage and treatments can be done successfully. One must be fully aware of his family cancer history and discuss it with oncological experts and be aware of risks and options before zeroing in on mastectomy or similar radical preventive treatments, suggests a Texas Oncology breast cancer specialist.

U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics

According to the latest American Cancer Society statistics, one in every eight U.S. women faces the risk of invasive breast cancer while one in 36 could be subject to fatal threat. At 12.4 percent rate, it is the second highest prevalent cancer risk for women during their lifetime in the country after skin cancer. Female mortality rate caused by breast cancer is only exceeded by lung cancer. The risk increases with age, and women above 50 years of age are at a four-fold risk when compared to those less than 30 years of age. Similarly, the risk differs for demographic and racial divisions.

The most common causes of breast cancer in the United States include genetic changes, family and personal history, mammographic breast density, breast changes, alcohol and lifestyle, chest exposure to radiation, and use of hormonal therapy. Genetic mutation carries the highest risk (about 80 percent), and it can be passed from parents to child. BRCA1 mutation, the one that Angelina Jolie carries, along with BRCA2 mutation is responsible for 1/10th of all breast cancer incidents reported in the United States. It has been discovered that one in every 800 women is likely to carry either of the BRCA mutations. While BRCA1 leads to 50- 87 percent breast cancer risk, the odds for BRCA2 are put at 40-85 percent.

About 232,340 invasive breast cancer diagnoses are likely to be reported in 2013, almost equal to the number of women diagnosed with similar condition in 2012, according to the American Cancer Society. It is expected that about 64,000 women will be reported to have the earliest form of breast cancer while close to 39,000 may die of it in 2013. Female breast cancer incidences have declined after 2000 following rising awareness and fall in hormone therapy use. Breast cancer death rate continues to slide since 1989 after the emergence of new medical technologies offering early detection and treatment.

There are over 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the country. They fought with the disease successfully using mastectomy, other surgical intervention, medication, and radiation therapy.

Read more: Mastectomy Side Effects Lawsuit Breast Cancer Lawsuit

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