Angelina Jolie is the latest in a string of famed women to announce she’s had risk-reducing breast surgery after discovering she carries a breast cancer (BRCA) gene. Before her, Michelle Heaton and Sharon Osbourne have also had this major surgery, which can reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 95%. But what does surgery involve? What are the BRCA genes and how do you know whether you carry one? And while the benefits are clear, what about the risks and disadvantages of preventative surgery? Are there other options for reducing your risk? In this blog, we discuss all of this.
BRCA genes and breast cancer
While risk factors for cancer usually include things like age, lifestyle and diet, in a small number of cases (5–10%), cancer is thought to be caused by an inherited faulty gene. The genes most commonly linked to an increased risk of breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA stands for breast cancer). This means that if there is a faulty BRCA gene in your family, those who inherit it will be at a greater risk of breast cancer than the general population.
If you’re worried about cancer in your family, you may want to tell your GP if you've had:
Online self-assessment tool
If there’s a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family, use our online tool OPERA to check your risk. OPERA gives you a personalised assessment of your risk with further information and support.
If your GP thinks there may be an increased risk of cancer in your family, they’ll refer you to a genetic counsellor or cancer specialist to assess your cancer risk. You may be offered genetic testing if your family history makes it likely that you may have inherited one of the BRCA genes.
Options if you’re at increased risk
If your GP or genetic counsellor tells you that, based on your family’s history, you may be at an increased risk of cancer, there are several possible options for managing your risk, whether you had a genetic test or not. These include:
Risk-reducing breast surgery
Risk-reducing mastectomy is major surgery involving a general anaesthetic. During the operation the surgeon removes both breasts.
There are different types of surgery. A total mastectomy removes the breasts, nipples, areola (the coloured skin around the nipple), and about half of the skin covering the breasts. Various other types of operation preserve the skin of the breasts, the nipple and/or the areola.
You may like to watch our video of mum Wendy and daughter Becky talking about their experiences of genetic testing and risk-reducing breast surgery. There’s also video of a genetic counsellor explaining the process of assessing your genetic risk.
For more detail, we have a booklet called Understanding risk-reducing surgery, which you can order for free or download as a PDF.
Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is an operation to make a new breast shape after a mastectomy. It can be done at the same time as risk-reducing mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or some time later (delayed reconstruction).
The new breast shape can be made with a breast implant, by using tissue taken from another part of your body, or by a combination of both techniques.
Some women don’t have reconstruction and prefer to wear breast forms (prostheses/false breasts) instead.
Making your decision
Deciding whether to have a preventative mastectomy is not easy. You may need lots of time to help you make up your mind and you shouldn’t feel rushed into making a decision. What’s right for one woman may not be for another.
We’ve summarised the pros and cons of risk-reducing breast surgery here, which we hope will help if you’re considering this option:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Coping with cancer in the family
Living with the threat of cancer in your family can be very difficult. Talking about your worries with relatives may help. If you find it difficult to talk to your relatives, getting support from a partner, genetic counsellor or friend may help.
If you feel that risk-reducing breast surgery isn’t right for you at this time, or you’re unsure about it, talk to your GP or a genetic counsellor about the other options available.
We hope the information here has helped you understand more about breast cancer risk, risk-reducing surgery and other options. If you have any questions or concerns, you can talk them through with our cancer support specialists.
Ideas for blog posts? Let us know.
Comments? Feel free to add them below (you need to be logged in). If you can't see the comment box, click on this blog's title at the top.
Keep in touch Follow Macmillan’s cancer information team on Twitter @mac_cancerinfo
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007