Mastectomy

Surgery to remove the whole breast is called a mastectomy.

You may be recommended to have a mastectomy if:

• there is cancer in more than one area of the breast
• the cancer is large compared to the size of the breast
• you have had radiation therapy to the same breast before and so cannot have it again
• it’s difficult to get a clear margin around the tumour
• you find out that you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation at the time of your breast cancer diagnosis.

You may decide that you would prefer a mastectomy rather than breast-conserving surgery. You can choose a mastectomy even for a very small cancer. After a mastectomy, it’s not common to have radiation therapy but it may be offered in some situations.

Usually the nipple is removed with the breast. In some cases, the surgeon may be able to perform a skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy. This means that more of the normal skin – with or without the nipple – is kept. If you have decided to have a reconstruction, the skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy is usually done at the same time.

If you don’t have an immediate reconstruction, you can wear a soft breast form and a specially designed bra while your surgical wound heals. Breast Cancer Network Australia provides a free bra and temporary soft form. To order a kit, speak to your breast care nurse. After the wound has healed and the area is comfortable, you can be fitted for a permanent breast prosthesis.

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