International Rates of Breast Reconstruction After Prophylactic Mastectomy in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers

Background Breast reconstruction is an option for women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations who elect to undergo prophylactic mastectomy to prevent breast cancer. We report on the uptake of breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy in women with BRCA mutations from eight countries. Methods Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation were questioned regarding their cancer preventive practices. Information was recorded on prophylactic mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Results A total of 1,635 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who elected to undergo prophylactic mastectomy from eight countries were included. A total of 1,137 women (69.5 %) had breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy. A total of 58.7 % of women over the age of 45 years at the time of prophylactic mastectomy had breast reconstruction compared to 77.6 % of women 35 years of age or younger [odds ratio (OR) 0.36, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.26–0.50, p