Breast surgeons' attitudes towards bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy: A National Survey of American Surgeons.

Abstract

25 Background: Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM) confers the greatest risk-reduction in women at high-risk of developing breast cancer. Uptake of BRRM is influenced by the attitudes of these women as well as the breast surgeons offering these procedures. We surveyed surgeon members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons to assess their attitudes and knowledge. Methods: An International Cancer Risk Communication Study (InCRisC) questionnaire, previously used to assess attitudes of European physicians and surgeons was sent to 2648 members. Personal and occupational characteristics were recorded and knowledge of cancer genetics and attitudes to BRRM were assessed using clinical vignettes. Results: 439 breast surgeons responded. 98% of surgeons actively took a family history of the father. Almost 100% of surgeons reported a positive attitude towards BRRM. Female surgeons and those treating greater than 100 breast cancers a year were predictors of knowledge of breast cancer genetics and a positive attitude towards BRRM. Conclusions: Multiple factors contribute to surgeons' attitudes towards BRRM. Gender of surgeon and workload contribute to theses observed variations.