What is a "Prophylactic Mastectomy"?

QUESTION: It sounded impossible to me when my girl friend told me about it,
so we thought we would write to you for more information. Have you ever heard
the term "prophylactic mastectomy?" Please explain it.
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ANSWER: "Prophylactic mastectomy" describes removing a breast in an effort to
prevent--not treat--breast cancer.
Breast cancer appears to be on the increase, and the survival rate has
not improved much. Early diagnosis and treatment are certainly helpful, but
the fact remains that much damage can be done before the cancer is found and
treated. If the disease could be prevented, obviously many lives would be
saved.
One way to prevent breast cancer is to identify the women who are at
extremely high risk for developing it and remove their breasts. This is a
controversial treatment that some consider radical while others consider it
prudent and cautious. The women who are most often considered for
prophylactic mastectomy are those who have had breast cancer in one breast,
those with a strong family history of breast cancer, those who have certain
precancerous conditions, and those with a combination of risk factors that
indicate they are at especially high risk for developing breast cancer.
Prophylactic mastectomy should be undertaken only after careful consideration
by patient and physicians, with a full understanding of the risks of the
surgery as well as the risks of developing breast cancer. There are no
clear-cut answers here; weighing all the alternatives, with solid medical
advice from more than one source, is the best course.