A woman born today in the United States has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer. For women diagnosed with breast cancer, the two main treatment options are:

• Lumpectomy with radiation (removal of the cancer with a small amount of breast tissue) or
• Mastectomy (removal of all breast tissue).

Mastectomy surgery has improved significantly in the last two decades. Once considered a disfiguring procedure, current techniques for mastectomy and reconstruction can give women results that allow them to feel whole.

One of the more notable surgical advances in breast cancer treatment and prevention is nipple sparing mastectomy. This is a surgical technique similar to the traditional mastectomy that removes the whole breast, but unique in that it spares the skin, nipple and areola. This is then followed by immediate reconstruction.

For some women facing a breast cancer diagnosis or a genetic mutation that predisposes them to breast cancer, the word “mastectomy” is terrifying. Thoughts of a mastectomy often produce fear and anxiety because women believe that the operation must mean the loss of the breast shape, skin, sensation, nipple and areola.

Fortunately, we have made great progress since the days of the obligatory radical mastectomy for all breast cancers, and now we can often offer a nipple sparing mastectomy which significantly improves cosmetic satisfaction after mastectomy.