Introduction/Background Mastectomy is a radical surgical procedure widely employed for oncologic reasons, including risk reduction in healthy individuals with BRCA syndrome and as a therapeutic intervention for breast cancer patients, regardless of BRCA mutation status. This study investigates the repercussions of mastectomy on body perception and sexuality among oncologic patients, both with and without the BRCA mutation, as well as in healthy individuals carrying the BRCA mutation.

Methodology A total of 105 patients who underwent mastectomy were enrolled from a genetic oncologic gynecology outpatient clinic. They were categorized into three groups: 35 with BRCA mutation and breast cancer (BRCA Tumour group), 35 with BRCA mutation without breast cancer (Healthy BRCA group), and 35 without BRCA mutation with breast cancer (Tumour group). Patients were surveyed using questionnaires focusing on body perception and sexuality.

Results In the BRCA Tumour group, the average age was 48 years, with 83% of patients being menopausal; in the Healthy BRCA group, the average age was 29 years, and none were menopausal; in the Tumour group, the average age was 65 years, and all patients were menopausal. While the majority of patients in the Tumour and Healthy BRCA groups expressed satisfaction with their body perception, comfortable discussing surgery, and displaying scars, those in the BRCA Tumour group reported significant difficulty accepting their bodies. Analysis of the FSFI questionnaire revealed a more pronounced disruption in sexuality among BRCA-mutated cancer patients compared to the other groups.

Conclusion Patients with BRCA mutations undergoing mastectomy for cancer treatment experience a substantial decline in body acceptance and sexual well-being compared to BRCA-mutated healthy individuals and those without the BRCA mutation. The impact of BRCA mutation on body perception and sexual function in patients undergoing therapeutic mastectomy should be a primary consideration in clinical practice.

Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.