Prophylaxis and Screening Options: Recommendations for Young Women with BRCA Mutations

Issue title: Breast Cancer in Young Women

Guest editors: Nancy DeMore

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Samuel, Jonathan C. | Ollila, David W.^{; *}

Affiliations: Division of Surgical Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3010 Old Clinic Building, CB 7213, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7213, USA | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. David W. Ollila, MD. Tel.: +1 919 966 5221; Fax: +1 919 966 8806; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Young women who carry a BRCA mutation face difficult decisions regarding radiologic screening modalities and prophylactic surgery. Decisions regarding these choices may have short and/or long-term consequences and significant impacts on breast cancer risk. A comprehensive review of currently available data supports the following recommendations for young women with BRCA mutations: perform monthly self breast exam, obtain clinical breast exam 2–4 times per year, discuss annual imaging options with a breast specialist, complete child-bearing by 35 with subsequent prophylactic oopherectomy, avoid hormone replacement therapy, and consider prophylactic mastectomy.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, genes, BRCA1, genes, BRCA2, bilateral ovariectomy, mastectomy, magnetic resonance imaging

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2006-23105

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 31-35, 2006