Resolution No. (265) (19/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Preventive Mastectomy"
Date: (23/Safar/1439 AH), corresponding to (1/11/2018).
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of the Worlds and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On its twelfth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent to the electronic website of the General Iftaa` Department. It sated: Is it permissible for a woman to undergo preventive mastectomy, because she is at risk of getting cancer as indicated by the medical history of her family`s where both her sister and mother already have it? Is it permissible that she has her breast filled with silicon as a cosmetic procedure? It is worth pointing out that from a scientific point of view, the removal of the breast is purely preventive.
After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:
The final say as regards the suitable medical treatment pertains to the trustworthy people of specialized medical experience. According to them, valid and reliable scientific research has proven that rise in the percentage of getting cancer is due to genetic factors; particularly when tests show that the mother has had that disease since an early age. When test results of genetic mutations show that cancer is likely to be passed to the next generation, preventive mastectomy is favored, as it takes precedence over waiting for cancer to attack since there is high risk that it will, and it is far more serious than the harms of mastectomy itself. In this case, we recommend that the questioner follows the advice of the people of specialty and undergoes the preventive mastectomy since the agreed upon rules of Sharia confirm that harm should be eliminated and when there are two evils, the lessor should be chosen.
However, if the fear of getting cancer is unjustified or it is a mere over- exaggerated psychological concern, then we don`t allow resorting to preventive mastectomy since Islam has honored the human body. The alternative lies in early detection and preventive treatment, as this is better. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Sheikh Abdulkareem AlKhasawneh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member
Dr. Muhammad Khair Al-Issa/ Member
Dr. Majid Al-Darawsheh/ Member
Prof. Adam Noah/ Member
Judge. Khaled Al-Wrikat/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member