Medical Oncologist
Treatment options
Removing the healthy breast after a cancer diagnosis
After breast cancer in one breast, many women wonder whether to remove the other, healthy breast. For most women the chance of a new cancer there is low, and removing it does not stop the first cancer returning. This page explains your options, who may benefit more, and how to decide calmly.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar MuddusettyConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery, AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- Should you have the healthy breast removed after a breast cancer diagnosis?
- Common reasons women consider it
- Possible gains and costs
- The vocabulary, in plain language
- Honest realities about removing the healthy breast
- Steps that help at a stressful time
- Things that already lower risk in the other breast
- What people assume about removing the healthy breast
- Common questions about removing the healthy breast
The short answer
Should you have the healthy breast removed after a breast cancer diagnosis?
When breast cancer is found in one breast, some women ask whether the other, healthy breast should be removed too. This is called a contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy. The wish is very understandable, because a diagnosis brings fear that cancer could appear again, and removing both breasts can feel like taking control. For most women, however, the chance of developing a new cancer in the other breast is low each year, and it is lowered further by treatments many women already receive, such as hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Removing the healthy breast reduces the chance of a new cancer on that side, but it does not reduce the risk of the original cancer coming back or spreading elsewhere, which usually matters more for survival. For this reason, it generally does not help women live longer unless they are at high risk. The picture is different for women who carry a harmful gene change, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, those diagnosed very young, or those with a very strong family history, for whom the chance of a second cancer is considerably higher. Removing both breasts also means a bigger operation, more chance of complications, loss of feeling, and sometimes more reconstruction surgery. Taking time, getting genetic testing where appropriate and talking with your team helps you decide calmly.
Most women have a low risk in the other breast
For average-risk women, a new cancer on the other side is uncommon.
It does not stop the first cancer returning
Survival depends mostly on the cancer you already have and how it is treated.
High-risk women may benefit more
Gene carriers and some young women have more reason to consider it.
This page gives general information only. Your breast team can estimate your own risk.Why women ask
Common reasons women consider it
These reasons are real and deserve discussion, even when the medical benefit is small.
Fear of another cancer
Worry about going through diagnosis and treatment again is one of the most common reasons.
Avoiding future scans
Some women dread yearly mammograms, callbacks and biopsies on the other breast.
Screening anxiety can often be eased with support.Symmetry
Some women want both sides to match after a mastectomy, especially with reconstruction.
Known high risk
Genetic or family factors may make a second cancer more likely.
Higher-risk situations
- BRCA1, BRCA2 or similar gene change
- Diagnosis at a young age
- Strong family history
Weighing it up
Possible gains and costs
Consideration
What is generally true
Chance of a new cancer on the other side
Greatly lowered, though for most women it was already low
Risk of the first cancer returning
Not changed by removing the other breast
Survival
Usually no clear improvement for average-risk women
Complications
More likely with two-sided surgery, especially with reconstruction
Peace of mind
Many women report relief, though worry about recurrence can remain
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistWords you may hear
The vocabulary, in plain language
- Contralateral breast
- The other breast, on the side without the known cancer.
- Contralateral breast cancer
- A new, separate cancer that develops in the other breast.
- Recurrence
- The original cancer coming back, in the same area or elsewhere in the body.
- Metastasis
- Spread of cancer to other parts of the body, such as bones, liver or lungs.
- Double mastectomy
- Removal of both breasts in one or separate operations.
- Germline testing
- A blood or saliva test for inherited gene changes.
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Being straight with you
Honest realities about removing the healthy breast
This is a personal decision, and honest information helps make it a settled one.
It may not bring the relief you hope for
Worry about the first cancer returning elsewhere often continues, and support may still be needed.
It adds recovery time
Two-sided surgery can mean a longer recovery and may delay chemotherapy if complications occur.
The change is permanent
Feeling in the removed breast and the ability to breastfeed on that side cannot be restored.
It can be done later
There is rarely a need to decide at diagnosis; the other breast can be removed later if still wanted.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot estimate your chance of a second cancer. Your breast and genetics teams can.
Before deciding
Steps that help at a stressful time
Decisions made in the first shock of diagnosis can feel urgent. These steps help slow things down safely.
Ask whether genetic testing is advised
A gene result can change the risk picture a great deal, and testing can often be done quickly.
Ask for your real numbers
Request an estimate of your chance of a new cancer in the other breast over the next decade.
Focus first on the cancer you have
Treating the known cancer well has the greatest effect on your future health.
Consider screening as an option
Yearly imaging of the other breast aims to find any new cancer early.
Talk to a counsellor
Fear of recurrence is common and can be eased with support, whatever you decide.
Other protection
Things that already lower risk in the other breast
Several parts of standard care help protect the other breast, even without surgery.
Hormone therapy
For hormone-sensitive cancers, oestrogen-blocking tablets and aromatase inhibitors also lower the chance of a new cancer in the other breast.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy given for the first cancer may also lower the chance of a new one.
Regular imaging
Yearly mammograms, and sometimes MRI, check the other breast for early changes.
Healthy habits
Staying active, keeping a healthy weight and limiting alcohol support overall health after cancer.
Commonly believed
What people assume about removing the healthy breast
Removing both breasts means cancer cannot come back.
The first cancer can still return elsewhere; surgery on the other breast does not change that.
Breast cancer usually spreads to the other breast.
A cancer in the other breast is usually a new, separate cancer, and is uncommon for most women.
Doctors discourage it because of cost.
The main concern is that extra surgery adds risk without improving survival for most women.
It must be decided before the first operation.
It can be considered later, once treatment is complete.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about removing the healthy breast
How likely is cancer in my other breast?
For most women without a high-risk gene change, the yearly chance of a new cancer in the other breast is low, and hormone therapy or chemotherapy can lower it further. It is higher for BRCA carriers and women diagnosed young. Your team can give an estimate based on your details.
Will removing both breasts help me live longer?
For most women, studies have not shown a clear survival benefit, because survival depends mainly on the cancer already diagnosed. For some high-risk women, such as BRCA carriers, there may be a benefit. Your oncologist can explain what is likely in your situation.
Should I get genetic testing first?
If you were diagnosed young, have triple-negative cancer, a strong family history or other features suggesting inherited risk, genetic testing is often recommended and can help this decision. Results can sometimes be obtained quickly enough to guide surgery planning.
Can I have the other breast removed later?
Yes. Many women focus on treating the cancer first and revisit the question once treatment has finished and the initial shock has passed. Delayed surgery also allows you to learn genetic results and think about reconstruction without time pressure.
Will it make reconstruction easier to match?
Rebuilding both breasts can make it easier to achieve symmetry. However, symmetry can also be improved by lifting or reducing the natural breast, which is a smaller operation. Your reconstructive surgeon can explain options for matching both sides.
Does it increase complications?
Operating on both breasts means more wound area, a longer operation and a higher chance of problems such as infection, bleeding or reconstruction issues. In some women, complications could delay chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the known cancer.
Do I still need mammograms if I keep the other breast?
Yes. Regular imaging of the remaining breast is part of follow-up after breast cancer. It aims to find any new cancer early, when it is usually more treatable. Your team will advise how often and which type of scan suits you.
How do I cope with fear if I keep the other breast?
Fear of recurrence is very common. Understanding your real risk, keeping to follow-up, and talking to a counsellor or support group can help. Many women find the worry eases with time, even when it never fully disappears.
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Talk to our team
Speak to a breast cancer specialist
Call the helpline or leave your details, and someone will help you arrange a consultation at the CION centre nearest you. One helpline serves every CION centre.
Call 1800 202 8726
Helpline open 24/7
Sources
- American Society of Breast Surgeons — Position statement on contralateral mastectomy
- National Cancer Institute — Surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer
- American Cancer Society — Preventive surgery to reduce breast cancer risk
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.