The number of women who are opting for preventive mastectomies has drastically increased in recent years. Angelina Jolie revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy after learning she had a mutation of the BRCA1 gene. This genetic mutation raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Why are so many women opting for surgery when survival rates for breast cancer are extremely high when caught at the earliest stages?
Not only that, but the operation doesn't give a 100% guarantee that cancer will never develop; so Is it worth losing both of your breasts?
Dr. Niki Barr, PhD, author of, Emotional Wellness: The Other Half of Treating Cancer, speaks about the BRCA gene testing, the removal and reconstruction procedures, and the other options that women have besides surgery.
Preventative Mastectomy & Emotional Healing
Angelina Jolie revealed she had her breasts removed to reduce her risk of breast and ovarian cancers. But was that the right choice?
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 3
- Audio File: staying_well/1321sw1c.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Niki Barr, PhD
- Book Title: Emotional Wellness: The Other Half of Treating Cancer
- Guest Website: Cancer Emotional Wellbeing
- Guest Bio: Niki Barr, PhD, founded a pioneering psychotherapy practice dedicated to working with cancer patients in all stages of the disease, along with their family members, caregivers and friends. In her book, Emotional Wellness: The Other Half of Treating Cancer, she describes an "emotional wellness toolbox" patients can put together with effective and simple strategies, ready to use at any time, for helping them move forward through cancer. Dr. Barr is a dynamic and popular speaker, sharing her insights with cancer patients and clinicians across the nation.
- Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: Yes
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Staying Well