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Breast cancer allayed by mastectomy
A 33-year study shows that preventive mastectomies protect against breast cancer in many women who have a high inherited risk of getting the disease.
References:
Hartmann, L.C., et al. 1999. Efficacy of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in women with a family history of breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine 340(Jan. 14):77.
Further Readings:
Eisen, A., B.L. Weber. 1999. Prophylactic mastectomy-the price of fear. New England Journal of Medicine 340(Jan. 14):137.
Ford, D., et al. 1994. Risks of cancer in BRCA1-mutation carriers. Lancet 343:692.
Sources:
Lynn C. Hartmann
Mayo Clinic
Department of Oncology
200 First Street, S.W.
Rochester, MN 55905
From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 6, February 6, 1999, p. 95. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
