Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Mastectomía profiláctica
Prophylactic mastectomy (PROH-fih-LAK-tik ma-STEK-toh-mee)
Surgery to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by removing one or both breasts before disease develops. Also called preventive mastectomy.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.