Concerns and Expectations of Risk-Reducing Surgery in Women with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
by
Paola Modaffari 1
, Riccardo Ponzone 2, Alberta Ferrari 3, Isabella Cipullo 1, Viola Liberale 1, Marta D’Alonzo 1, Furio Maggiorotto 2 and Nicoletta Biglia 1,*
Paola Modaffari 1, Riccardo Ponzone 2, Alberta Ferrari 3, Isabella Cipullo 1, Viola Liberale 1, Marta D’Alonzo 1, Furio Maggiorotto 2 and Nicoletta Biglia 1,*
1
Academic Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Turin School of Medicine, Largo Turati 62, 10128 Torino, Italy
2
Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
3
General Surgery III—Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8030313
Received: 31 December 2018 / Revised: 21 February 2019 / Accepted: 28 February 2019 / Published: 5 March 2019
(This article belongs to the Section Obstetrics & Gynecology)
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) carriers face complex decisions, which might affect their fertility and body image. Using an anonymous 40-items questionnaire we evaluated the expectations and concerns about Risk-Reducing Surgery (RRS) in 204 carriers. Participants are well-informed about the options to manage cancer risk, and women with previous cancer are more concerned with screening failure. Satisfaction with RR Mastectomy is high, even if many carriers are unsatisfied with reconstructed breast feel and nipple-areola complex tactile sensation and those with previous breast cancer report a change in their sexual habits. The decrease of libido and vaginal dryness are the most complained symptoms after RR Salpingo-Oophorectomy. Nevertheless, most carriers would choose RRS again, due to cancer risk or screening-related stress reduction. Women who deferred RRS are more afraid of menopausal symptoms and cancer risk than those who had undergone or declined surgery. Women who declined RRS feel well-informed and trust screening procedures. In conclusion, HBOC carriers consider themselves well-informed and able to choose the best option for their condition, would choose RRS again because of cancer risk and screening-related stress reduction, and those who delay RRS face a higher preoperative level of concern and need support.
View Full-Text
Keywords:
BRCA; Risk-Reducing Surgery; quality of life; Risk-Reducing Mastectomy; Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
MDPI and ACS Style
Modaffari, P.; Ponzone, R.; Ferrari, A.; Cipullo, I.; Liberale, V.; D’Alonzo, M.; Maggiorotto, F.; Biglia, N. Concerns and Expectations of Risk-Reducing Surgery in Women with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. J. Clin. Med. 2019, 8, 313.
Show more citation formats
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.
