What psychological effects do women experience after having risk reducing mastectomy and what are the implications of this for nurses?

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the UK, with 5- 10% of these cases occurring due to inherited genetic mutations. Women who have the inherited BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutations have an 85% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. In order to minimise breast cancer risk, women can pursue riskreducing strategies including Risk-Reducing Mastectomy. Aims: To discover the psychological effects women experience as a result of RiskReducing Mastectomy and to establish how nurses can support these patients over time after the procedure. Methodology: A search strategy was designed and used to gather recent and relevant literature. The literature was reviewed and emerging themes were found. The findings were used to make evidence-based recommendations to inform future nursing practice. Recommendations: Pre-registration nurse education and training for nurses working within breast care about this patient group. There is also a need for women to receive follow up care and support after Risk-Reducing Mastectomy, which can be provided by nurses in the community and by breast clinical nurse specialists. Conclusion: Women who have Risk-Reducing Mastectomies experience both positive and negative psychological effects as a consequence of the procedure. They therefore need follow-up nursing care to prevent the negative effects having a long-term detrimental impact on their lives