Why don't women get mastectomies and hysterectomies BEFORE they get cancer?

Question

It would sure save a lot of trouble later on.

And yes, if I saw my father die from testicular or prostate cancer, I would go ahead and get them taken out before I get cancer too.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070508/ap_en_ot/obit_blow

I'm sorry, but if I potentially had a couple of a cancer bags on my chest and a cancerous hole down there, I would get everything taken out so I wouldn't get cancer. You don't need breasts and reproductive organs after you have kids.

Seriously, if I was a woman, and I did not plan on having anymore children, I would just get a mastectomy and a hysterectomy so I wouldn't get cancer later. I would have breast reconstructive surgery so my appearance stayed normal, and I would take hormones so I wouldn't grow a mustache.

If I was over 50, I would have my testicles and prostate removed and just take hormones. People over 50 do not need to be having sex, anyway.

Answer 1

Well, then who would propagate the human species? Apes like you??!!

Good thing I'm in a "quiet" mood.

When have you ever been judged by your breast size, or your ability to give birth?
You WOULD give up your balls...HAHAHA...sounds to me like they've already been taken away, if you dare to ask a question like this.


You can't say what you would or wouldn't do....

Answer 2

Because cancer isn't always sent down through generations. There are many women that do have double mastectomies and get implants to eliminate the risk but for those women it's not just "your mother has it". It's you mother, her sisters, her mother, her sisters, you father's sisters...because cancer does skip generations.

Now, for hysterectomies, women from birth are conditioned to have children. You can't have a child naturally if you don't have a uterus. You are also loosing the part of you that truly makes you a woman (a guy can have a vagina made, breast implants, hormones but can't have an uterus made). For some women the threat of cancer isn't enough to make that kind of sacrifice. The same couldn't be said if the woman had cancer. At that point the threat is real and they may opt for the hysterectomy.

Answer 3

there are women who having been identified as being at high risk for these cancers that have indeed had mastectomies prior to ever getting a diagnosis of cancer. But, women need the hormones provided by their ovaries, so a hysterectomy to avoid the risk of cancer is like cutting off ones nose to spite ones face. And while alot of women get these cancers, they are by no means a majority of the population, why all that surgery if it is not nessessary or medically indicated? If your father died from testicular cancer, it was likely because he did not get regular checkups; that is one of the most curable cancers when caught early, and it usually is in those men who take the time to get regular checkups.

Answer 4

OB/GYN normally DONT do that unless they are past a certain age. They probably get this done if they were in there late 30s. Its because of HORMONES with women. They need ESTROGEN and the OVARIES supply that to women to prevent osteoporosis etc. They could but they would have to take HRT.

Have your breasts removed for a woman is a HUGE SHOCK. Ask any woman who has lost a breast due to cancer. Thats why they make fake breasts etc.

Why we are on the subject why dont you get you PEN#S removed. See how you might like that.

Answer 5

Because breasts mean as much to women as testicles mean to men. I would sure miss my "girls" if I had to have a mastectomy. As well, I know of no health care plan that will pay for elective surgical procedures.A mastectomy as well as a hysterectomy, would cost around $25-30,000.00
Another reality, is that MD's will not do those procedures without a good reason.

Answer 6

You know men can develop breast cancer too, right?
http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/bcmen.asp
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_male_breast_cancer_28.asp
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malebreast/patient

And, as most people pointed out you can get penile, testicular, and prostate cancer.
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Penis/Penilecancer
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/testicularcancer.html
http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/

And breasts and ovaries and the cervix serve a purpose beyond reproduction. Perhaps you should try a health class.

I am disgusted by your lack of respect for women based on this question. If you had a general concern about proactive cancer treatments you wouldn't have focused on women's reproductive parts you would have asked a more general question.


*****Edit*****
Why not get them removed now? You don't have to be over 50 to get penile cancer.

Answer 7

Why would anyone ever remove functional, needed body parts "just in case"? Using that rational why wouldn't diabetics have their legs amputated before they get any infections?
You said you would have your testicles or prostate removed if your father died of it, but you can still get cancer even if your father didn't have it, so why not have them removed now? While you are at it you should also have your penis removed since penile cancer is a killer of men also.

Answer 8

Really, why not cut off your head before you get brain cancer? ...eheheh...just kidding. I wouldn't want to cut off my breasts to avoid cancer unless they found something, but I wouldn't mind the hysterectomy....cycles are a pain anyway. Wouldn't those be elective if there isn't a cause for removal yet though? THey need to change the health care system.

Answer 9

First of all, I have to say that what you have written is a touch insensitive and cruel. Breasts and vaginas are very important to women, the same as testicles and penises are important to guys. There isn't a guy I know that would voluntarily cut off his balls or penis, just to stave off cancer or disease. I'm sorry, I wouldn't buy it even if they said they would. Asking women to cut their boobs and "holes" (as you crudely put it) off, is like asking a guy to cut off his equipment. It's cruel and it just wouldn't happen. As a woman, I'm very proud of my boobs and vagina. I can give birth to a child (which is critical to human's survival) and nurse that same child (which is also critical to survival) with my equipment. A man can provide the sperm necessary for that child, but that's about it. Cancer is a vicious thing, but it's not a death sentence. It's also not a guarantee. There's no for sure bet that EVERY woman or man is going to get cancer, so therefore there is no need for EVERY woman or man to go cutting off their pride and joy! I hate to be rude by saying this, but you need to think things through before you open your mouth to speak. This was just a dumb thing to ask or to suggest.

Thanks for the laugh, though.

Answer 10

Some of them do; prophylactic mastectomies are done on women with a strong family history of breast cancer but it is totally their choice.

Answer 11

Having breasts doesn't automatically make a person get cancer, any more than having testicles automatically makes you a moron. I know plenty of men who have testicles and are NOT morons, so it must be something else that is causing you to be one.