Are breast MRIs and anxiety boosting rate of double mastectomies?

The rise in women getting double mastectomies after a breast cancer diagnosis could be linked to anxiety and breast MRI, as reported by NPR on May 21.

The number of women who are getting double mastectomies after breast cancer diagnosis has increased in the past decade, presenting a troubling problem as most don’t face a higher risk of getting cancer in the other breast. Moreover, removing the noncancerous breast doesn’t influence the survival rate from the present cancer. A study published in JAMA Surgery on May 21, which was led by Sarah Hawley, PhD, MPH, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, found that women who decided to have a double mastectomy had anxiety about the cancer coming back. Additionally, those who had a breast MRI were more likely to decide on a double mastectomy, even if the scan didn’t reveal more cancer.

To  read more about the study, click the link below.