Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in developed world. The presence of hereditary gene mutations can increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Patients that are at higher risk of carrying these mutations can undergo genetic testing, and in case of positive result, they may choose to undergo preventive mastectomy, which reduces the risk for getting breast cancer. Purpose: This diploma work presents preventive mastectomy in genetically predisposed women for breast cancer and the role of the nurse in the process, through a literature review. Methods: We used a descriptive research method with literature review. The search was conducted using DiKul and bibliographic databases Medline, PubMed and Cinahl. We limited the selection of articles to those with open access, published between 2015 and 2025 in English. Results: Prophylactic mastectomy is an effective method for reducing the risk of developing breast cancer among genetically predisposed women, as cancer rarely occurs in women who undergo the surgery. During the process there is a risk for complications, such as skin peeling, infection, or tissue necrosis. Most women decide to undergo breast reconstruction, after the surgery. Before making the decision to have the prophylactic mastectomy, they need to undergo genetic testing and counselling. Nurses play an important role in the process, as their involvement contributes to better accessibility of the procedures and increased awareness among women about them. Discussion and conclusion: Beside possible complications, some negative symptoms might occur after prophylactic mastectomy, such as reduced sensitivity to touch and temperature in the breast. Such procedures can also affect women’s self-confidence, which often impacts their sexual life. Nurses are aware of the importance of their role in genetic testing and counselling, however, there is often a lack of present knowledge in the fields of genetics and genomics.
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