The impact of BRRMs on people at moderate risk of breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the experience and psychosocial impact of bilateral risk-reducing mastectomies on people at moderate risk of breast cancer.
IRAS ID
336122
Contact name
Jessica Macintyre-Holt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 25 days
Research summary
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (BC) in the general population is around 11%. Those considered at moderate risk of BC have a lifetime risk of 17-30%, and those at high risk have a lifetime risk of ≥30% (NICE, 2013). A bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM) is a surgery removing the breast tissue from both breasts, found to reduce the risk of developing BC by up to 94% in women at high risk (Marcinkute et al., 2022). People at high risk may be considered for and offered BRRMs, among other risk management strategies, but this is not standard practice for those at moderate risk (NICE, 2013). Although people at moderate risk are not routinely offered a BRRM, many do seek, request, and receive this surgery.
Research has only focused on the impact of BRRM's on high-risk women, finding they are relieved at the reduced cancer risk and do not experience regret (McGaughey, 2006). However, many experience negative and long-lasting effects, such as a decline in body image, feelings of womanliness, confidence, and sexual relationships (Gopie et al., 2013). The process for moderate-risk people to receive a BRRM is different to those at high risk, which suggests differences information-seeking and decision-making, and may therefore mean different psychosocial outcomes.
We will use semi-structured interviews guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis to speak to moderate-risk people who received a BRRM at least 1 year ago. This study aims to understand the long-term psychosocial impact of BRRMs and participants attitudes towards their decision, additionally informing the psychological assessment conducted prior to surgery. We plan to recruit 3-10 participants through the Leeds Breast Unit, cancer charities, cancer and mastectomy support groups, and other relevant social media. Interviews will be conducted via video call or in-person at the University of Leeds and will last 60-90 minutes.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/0529
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion