BRCA1 Gene and Breast Augmentation

While having the BRCA1 gene is not an absolute contraindication, it should give pause to both you and your surgeon. Breast cancer can occur in any woman and I believe the rate is now 1 out of every 8 women in the general population. Of course if you are tested positive for the BRCA1 gene your risk is significantly higher, 1 in 2 or even greater. If you review studies on screening for breast cancer in patients with implants and compare them to those without implants, it appears that there was no statistical difference in the ability to detect cancers by mammograms. Some believe that it may actually be easier to feel changes in breast tissue in women with implants because the implant can help bye pushing the breast forward, away from the chest wall but that should not sway you to have augmentation surgery. The bottom line is that it ultimately depends on how badly you want breast augmentation and how diligent you will be at self examination and mammography screening.

Life is about living... and having the BRCA1 gene is not a contraindication but many of those patients would opt for a prophylactic mastectomy with implant reconstruction that would be covered by most insurance plans. However if you prefer not to do that, an augmentation can certainly be done but it will require that you are diligent with your self exams and annual mammograms so that if you do develop a cancer, it can be detected and treated early.

No, the incidence of developing breast cancer is definitely higher and you should be aware of that going into the procedure. You also could consider removing of your breast tissue and replacing with breast implants aka Angelina Jolie.