A new study has found that more numbers of men are choosing to have both of their breasts removed after being diagnosed with breast cancer in one of the breasts. Researchers have affirmed that there is no evidence to prove the benefit of the procedure when it comes to survival.

In the study, the researchers have assessed data from national cancer registries of more than 6,000 men who have undergone breast cancer surgery between 2004 and 2011. The researchers found that 76% of them had a single mastectomy and 20% has lumpectomy.

A very small percentage of men had undergone a double mastectomy. The researchers said that the percentage might seem small, but it is one rise from 3% in 2004 to 5.6% in 2011.

Study’s lead researcher Ahmedin Jemal, Vice-President of the Surveillance and Health Services Research Program at the American Cancer Society, said that the news is not a good one, as there is no evidence for the benefit of the procedure and harm is also associated with it.

Some women may derive benefit from this type of double mastectomy, but only those who have genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2. These mutations increase the risk of having cancer in the second breast. There is no benefit for those who do not have this type of genetic factor.

It is not clear whether men will be benefitted from the procedure. Jemel thinks that an increase in genetic testing could be one of the reasons for more mastectomies among both men and women.