Rita Wilson’s decision to get a double mastectomy is a reasonable option but may not be for everyone.
She shared her story to raise awareness, but it’s important to remember that others who might be frightened or devastated by the prospect of a double mastectomy may have choices, such as lumpectomy or unilateral mastectomy.
Indeed, double mastectomies in cases like this don’t improve overall survival rates compared with intensive screening and less aggressive surgery, but it may be recommended for women who’ve already had multiple biopsies for high risk lesions or who carry certain genetic mutations. The psychology of going through mammograms, MRIs and biopsies year after year can be very stressful, with women agonizing over the end results.
It’s a very personal decision, much like the decision to get a second opinion.
Dr. Marleen Meyers is a medical oncologist and the director of the Survivorship Progam at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center