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

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.