Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie recently discovered her risk of developing breast cancer, following which she made the decision of going for a double mastectomy. This move is now being imitated by people across the globe, though the operation is questionable in its effectiveness.
Unlike other health conditions, breast cancer, or cancer in general, has a different nature, and there are different treatments for different individuals –– no one-size-fits-all treatment for that matter. This is exactly why imitating such a move could be dangerous, doctors suggest.
Recently, a businessman got his prostate removed after he discovered that he was at a risk of developing prostate cancer, a move definitely inspired by Jolie.
After taking part in the clinical trial at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, when the businessman discovered the fact that he actually carried a faulty gene that raised his risk of cancer, he immediately expressed the desire to get his prostate removed.
Despite the reluctance of the doctors, he finally got his way, and successfully got his prostate removed.
"This patient is now absolutely fine," Professor Roger Kirby, the surgeon who carried out the procedure, said. "A number of these BRCA families have now been identified, and knowing you are a carrier is like having the sword of Damocles hanging over you.
"You are living in a state of constant fear. I am sure more male BRCA carriers will now follow suit."
With over 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer being reported in the US every year, new treatments and drugs are needed to help overcome this condition without much effort. Getting the prostate removed, however, is not a clever move, doctors suggest. The procedure causes permanent incontinence, sexual dysfunction and infertility in men.
Preventive treatments for cancer, similar to the man getting his prostate removed, and Angelina getting a double mastectomy, can pose high health risks. Regular screening, on the other hand, could be more effective, since it helps the detection of cancer at a very early, preventable stage.
"If you can accept the risk, you don't have to remove your breasts as a preventive measure," Dr Ava Kwong Ho-wai, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong and chief of Queen Mary Hospital's breast surgery division said. "There is no right or wrong, as long as the patient understands the risk."
As for how she usually advises high-risk patients, Kwong said: "I ask them, 'Will you think of it every night and can't sleep? Is it traumatizing your life'?"
Angelina's move, however, turned out to be a good inspiration as well, with people turning to detection and screening tests for cancer.
Actors and stars need to understand that their fans tend to be hugely inspired by their actions and decisions.
