A 55-year-old woman with BRCA2 mutation undergoes risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Concurrent risk-reducing mastectomy is being discussed. The lifetime breast cancer risk reduction achieved by bilateral prophylactic mastectomy in BRCA1/2 carriers is approximately:
- A 30–40%
- B 50–60%
- C 90–95% ✓
- D 70–80%
Correct answer: C. 90–95%
Explanation
Multiple prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses confirm that bilateral prophylactic mastectomy reduces breast cancer risk by approximately 90–95% in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. The residual risk comes from microscopic breast tissue left at the chest wall or axillary tail. This is much more effective than chemoprevention alone (tamoxifen reduces risk ~50%).
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.