Her Fight is Our Mission

Prophylactic mastectomy (or risk-reducing mastectomy) is a preventive surgery to remove one or both breasts in individuals at significantly elevated risk of developing breast cancer. This procedure is not performed to treat cancer, but to reduce the chance of developing it in the future. It is most often considered by women who carry a high-risk gene mutation (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2), have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have had previous chest radiation. 

At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, prophylactic mastectomy is offered as part of a thoughtfully personalised risk-reduction strategy, combining surgical precision, psychological support, and expert reconstruction planning.

How the Procedure Is Performed

• The procedure is done under general anesthesia.
• Depending on eligibility, skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy techniques are used to preserve the breast’s external appearance.
• The entire breast tissue is removed from one or both breasts to minimise future cancer risk.
• A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed if there is any clinical or imaging abnormality.
• Immediate breast reconstruction is typically performed during the same procedure, using autologous tissue flaps or implants.
• Incisions or surgical cuts are planned for optimal cosmetic outcome, often concealed along the breast fold or around the areola.
• The entire surgery usually lasts between 3 to 5 hours, depending on reconstruction complexity.

Recovery

• Hospital stay: Most patients stay in the hospital for 1–2 days. Drains are placed to prevent fluid accumulation and are removed within 5–10 days.
• Pain management: Mild to moderate discomfort is managed with oral pain medications.
• Resuming routine: Light activity may resume within 1–2 weeks; full recovery typically occurs within 4–6 weeks.
• Follow-up care: Support garments are recommended during the healing phase. Emotional readiness and post-operative counselling are integrated into the recovery process.

Key Advantages

• Reduces breast cancer risk by up to 90–95% in high-risk individuals when both breasts are removed.
• Enables aesthetic reconstruction, often through nipple- and skin-sparing techniques.
• Can be performed before cancer develops, empowering women to take control of their future health.
• One-time surgery with long-term peace of mind, especially for BRCA-positive or high-risk patients.
• Part of a larger preventive strategy, often paired with ovarian cancer risk management or genetic counselling.

Continuum of Care

At Apollo Athenaa, prophylactic mastectomy is never a standalone event, it is part of a broader, carefully coordinated journey that includes:

• Comprehensive genetic counselling and risk assessment
• Pre-operative planning with input from surgical oncology, plastic and breast reconstructive surgery, and psychosocial support teams
• Post-surgery rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, wound care, and scar management
• Psychological support and peer groups helping women process the emotional aspects of preventive surgery
• Long-term survivorship care, including annual health evaluations and continued support for body image, hormonal health, and wellness

This life-changing decision deserves the highest level of clinical guidance and emotional care and that is exactly what our team at Apollo Athenaa is here to provide.