What is a Double Mastectomy?
Breast cancer can develop in the glandular tissue of your breast, specifically in the milk ducts and the milk lobules which are found in all parts of the breast tissue. Breast tissue covers your collarbone to your lower rib, and from the center of your chest to around the side and under your arm.
A mastectomy procedure removes breast tissue from right under the skin down to your chest wall and around the sides of your chest. Preventive mastectomy may be done in hopes of reducing the risk of getting cancer. Women who at very high risk of getting breast cancer have the option to have both breasts surgically removed, which is called a double mastectomy. The goal of the surgery is to remove all the breast tissue that could develop breast cancer.
Preventative double mastectomy may also be done for someone who has already had breast cancer and has an increased risk of getting cancer again in either breast. The surgery may reduce the risk of breast cancer up to 100% if there is a strong family history of breast cancer or a BRCA genetic mutation. However, risk reduction results can vary significantly. It is believed that about 10% of women will develop breast cancer, even though their breast tissue has been removed.
Did you know...
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!