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Does reduction mamaplasty reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Recent studies reveal a link between breast reduction and breast cancer risk reduction. Though not conclusive at this stage it appears the risk of breast cancer in women who are considered to be at high risk, is significantly reduced following a breast reduction procedure.

Though reduction mammaplasty is not recommended as a first stage solution to breast cancer risk reduction, it appears to have a strong link to reducing risk of breast cancer.

A Swedish study of 31,910 women who under went reduction mammaplasty between 1965 and 1993 indicates a proportional relationship between the amount of tissue removed from the breast and the reduction of breast cancer risk.

Thus if a woman has 400g of tissue removed from the breast area there will be a proportionate reduction in breast cancer risk. If 600g is removed the breast cancer risk reduction is greater than in the case of 400g being removed

These findings were especially true for women over 40 who underwent the procedure, yet there is no definitive difference in findings from menopausal and post menopausal women in this study.

This does not indicate in any way a total risk reduction, however it would indicate that if you are in the heavy chested and high risk catagories that this procedure could be potentially beneficial in both respects.

The mechanism by which breast reduction surgery could lower breast cancer risk is not certain. It has been speculated the breast size itself may be directly related to breast cancer risk. Though this has never been established to be true. It would seem plausible that the mammary gland mass would be more directly related to breast cancer risk.

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