Prophylactic mastectomy and ovariectomy—a religious perspective

Prophylactic mastectomy and ovariectomy doesn’t seem to be a religious problem at first, therefore not much research on the subject has been done so far. As the awareness of the problem of breast and ovarian cancer threat and subsequently of the issue of prophylactic procedures for BRCA carriers is growing among general public, it is worth to ask the question if and in what way religion itself as well as religious communities may help. The article explores the impact of religious perspective on both physicians and patients as they face these problems. The issue is discussed from physicians’ and chaplains’ perspective. In the context of this discussion the question of involvement of religious communities in providing better information and support to patients-members of these communities is asked. The aim of the research done here is to open discussion on the possibility of providing better medical and spiritual help, with greater respect and empathy to every patient, no matter their religious and/or cultural background, by involving religious perspective in the process.

Breast cancer; Mastectomy; Ovariectomy; BRCA carrier; Spirituality; Religion; Chaplain

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