When both breasts are removed, it is called a double (or bilateral) mastectomy. Double mastectomy is sometimes done as a risk-reducing (or preventive) surgery for women at very high risk for getting breast cancer, such as those with a BRCA gene mutation. Most of these mastectomies are simple mastectomies, but some may be nipple-sparing. There are other situations where a double mastectomy might be done as part of a women’s breast cancer treatment plan. This is done after careful consideration and discussion between the patient and their cancer care team.
