Breast cancer victims inspired by Angelina Jolie are requesting double mastectomies like her even if they don’t need it, a doctor has warned.
Jolie, 38, who is in a high-risk category due to a rare gene, known as BRCA1, revealed she had both breasts removed – prompting a surge of women in the UK to follow suit.
At one clinic, a quarter of women who develop cancer in one breast are now asking for both to be removed.
But Professor Kefah Mokbel, of the London Breast Institute, has said surgery would be pointless for women who are not in the same category as Jolie.
He said: “It’s obviously a great step forward that Angelina Jolie has increased awareness of breast cancer. But we’re seeing a large number of women requesting a preventive mastectomy for peace of mind, women who’ve been diagnosed but don’t have a genetic predisposition so wouldn’t benefit.
“These are patients who say, “Can you do for me what Angelina Jolie had done?” They’re on the increase.
“Doctors and patients need to avoid over-estimating the benefits.”
As a carrier of the mutation in the BRCA1 gene, Miss Jolie’s risk of developing breast cancer was increased by more than 80 per cent, and ovarian cancer by 50 per cent.
Studies show that the occurrence of breast cancer may be reduced by 90 percent or more after preventive mastectomy in women with a high risk of this disease.
Jolie received praise over her decision following the deaths of her aunt from breast cancer and her mother from ovarian cancer.
London Breast Institute figures showed genetic testing for BRCA mutations at their clinic had risen by 67 per cent since Jolie went public, and preventive mastectomies have risen fourfold.
Mokbel said the ‘fear factor’ had led some patients to ask for preventive surgery and that there was a danger of over-treatment.
Fewer than one percent of women carry the faulty BRCA1 gene – like Jolie – or BRCA2 gene, which is very similar.
Mokbel warned patients can suffer psychological harm after having radical surgery. He urged women to have counselling and proper screening before removal.
Martin Ledwick, of Cancer Research UK, said, “For most women, who don’t have a strong family history of the disease, regular monitoring of the other breast is recommended rather than having it removed too.”
Locally, in Australia, the “celebrity effect” of Angelina Jolie’s preventive double mastectomy has seen a fourfold increase in women seeking information about genetic testing, family cancer clinics report, according to australiandoctor.com.au.
Dr. Kathy Tucker, head of the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital, said the celebrity’s surgery had prompted many women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or a family history of a BRCA gene mutation, to consider testing at NSW clinics.
“Over the years, people have been very frightened of genetic testing,” she said.
“The celebrity effect has been positive for people with a gene fault … they’re coming forward now.”
This story originally appeared on News.com.au.