Two new studies shed light on the treatment options facing women carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. Researchers found that prophylactic mastectomy does not improve disease-free or overall survival, and the first multi-institutional systematic comparison of treatment outcomes from breast conserving therapy versus mastectomy found more recurrences in the breast with BCT compared to recurrences at the chest wall following mastectomy, but similar rates of recurrence when BCT patients also received chemotherapy.