What is a mastectomy prophelactically?

Someone i know said that their family member is having it done to them (they found lumps after just finishing battling breast cancer). I'm not sure what it is? Is that when they remove the breast tissue all together?

Yes, a mastectomy is when they remove the entire breast actually. And, if the your friend is having done and there is still lumps then it's a really good idea that they are getting this done. Cancer is nothing to plat around with. And you sure don't want to ignore the fact that it is even a factor in why your friend is haing a mastectomy. Also, if there is still lumps then the cancer was not totally gone more than likely, it probably just went into remission, and came back, cancer can do that and it sucks really bad. I lost my Mom to cancer back in 1998. I was 19 years she was 43 years old. Be there for your friend they are going to need you right now. Hope this helps, and let me know how things turn out ok.

yes. a lumpectomy would just be the removal of the lumps. a full mastectomy is removal of the breast. In some cases a partial is done, depending on the circumstances such as the size of tumor etc.

A propholactic is meant to prevent something from happening. Some women who are at high risk for getting breast cancer decide to have their breasts removed before being diagnosed with cancer to prevent getting cancer and risking it spreading to other parts of the body.

First of all, your question is contradictory. Once breast cancer has been diagnosed, mastectomy is therapeutic - not prophylactic. Prophylactic mastectomy is done when a woman whose full work-up for breast cancer is negative BUT she requests that both of her breasts be removed because she has a with-out exception 4+ family history of all female relatives getting breast cancer. In this situation, removal of both breasts makes sense because in this situation, breast cancer is not just a risk. It's almost a guarantee. The youngest woman who I have removed both breasts, though they were perfectly normal was 23yo, but if you knew her family history, you would know that it was the right thing to do. That is what prophylactic mastectomy is - when no indication of cancer is present....and yes - all breast tissue is removed.

Prophylactic mastectomy is when one or both breasts are removed because the person has a very high chance of developing breast cancer.It is done as a preventative treatment in hope of preventing this person from developing breast cancer .