Ruling on removal of a healthy breast out fear of it being affected by cancer after the affected breast was removed
Question

                I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and currently receiving treatment. The doctors have told me that they have found a genetic fault in me which makes my chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer as high as 80%. As such they have suggested that I have both of my breasts removed, the one with cancer and the healthy one to avoid the risk of getting another cancer in the future. I am 32 years old and they are recommending I wait until I am 40 years old before considering surgery to remove my ovaries to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. My mother had breast cancer 4 years ago and they therefore believe that we carry a genetic fault in our family.

I would like to know what the Islamic perspective on this is. I feel that removing my perfectly healthy breast now and ovaries conflicts with my aqeedah. I should put my full faith and tawakal in Allah and know that whatever happens to me now and in the future is only what Allah has prescribed for me instead of believing the doctors. Is it wrong to remove healthy parts of your body because you are worried about what may happen in the future. Please advise me on what the Islamic ruling on this is as the doctors have told me to think about it and are waiting for an answer from me soon. I have 3 small children and would do anything that may improve my health but I do not want to anything that may compromise my Islam as my first priority is to Allah.
Praise be to Allah.First:
It is not permissible to 
	amputate a healthy limb due to suspicion that it may become diseased in the 
	future as this is a form of transgression against that which Allah, the 
	Exalted, has created and is not necessary.
Sh. Ibn ‘Othaimeen said 
	while establishing the obligation of circumcising males: “It entails cutting 
	a part off the body, and cutting something off the body is impermissible, 
	and the impermissible cannot be allowed without it being an obligation.” End 
	quote, Ash-Sharh al Mumt’i (1/166).
You should place your trust 
	in Allah and take precautionary measures. 
Second:
As for the breast affected 
	by cancer, then if there is no way to cure it and escape its danger except 
	through removing it, then removing it is allowed. This is so due to the 
	great need or necessity and to prevent the sickness from spreading to other 
	parts.  
Dr. Muhammad ibn Muhammad 
	al-Mukhtar ash-Shinqiti (may Allah protect him) said: “One of two cases 
	apply to these tumours:
The first case: They are 
	restricted to one region, such as:

	1.Colon cancer

	2.Primary malignant liver tumours

	3.Malignant breast tumours

	4.Testicular cancer

	5.Rectal cancer

	In these cases, removal is a successful remedy to cure the 
	patient and save him from the harm of these tumours, with the permission of 
	Allah. So it is permissible for one to do this due to the great need, which 
	may reach the level of necessity. And Allah knows best.” End quote, Ahkam 
	al-Jirahah at-Tibbiyyah (pg. 315).

	Third:

	It is permitted to have an artificial breast implant to 
	replace the removed breast.  

	From the resolutions of the Islamic Fiqh Council on plastic 
	surgery we find:

	The International Islamic Fiqh Council, belonging to the 
	Organization of the Islamic Conference, in its eighteenth session in Putra 
	Jaya (Malaysia) from 24-29 Jumaada al-Aakhirah 1428 AH (9-13 July 2007 CE) 
	has declared the following:

	After studying papers on plastic surgery and its rulings sent 
	to the Council, and after having listened to discussions on the matter, the 
	Council declares:

	It is legally (Shari’ah) permissible to undergo plastic 
	surgery out of necessity or need if the following is intended:

	1.To return the condition of the 
	limbs back to the way they were created as per the saying of Allah (in 
	meaning): “We 
	have certainly created man in the best of stature;” [95:4]

	2.
	To restore normal function back to the limb/ organ.

	3.To correct birth defects such 
	as: a cleft lip, severe crookedness of the nose, abnormal birthmarks, extra 
	fingers and teeth and joined fingers if their presence would lead to 
	significant material or psychological harm.

	4.To correct sustained defects 
	such as those caused by fire, accidents, diseases and so forth. Examples of 
	such procedures include: cultivation or transplantation of skin, partial or 
	complete reconstruction of the breast, and hair transplants, especially for 
	women who have lost their hair.  

	5.To rid oneself of disfigurement 
	which causes psychological or physical harm. End quote.

	See also questions 
	138273 and 146289.

	And we ask Allah to make you well and protect you from every 
	harm.

	Important note:

	It says in the question: “The doctors have told me that they 
	have found a genetic fault in me… and they therefore believe that we carry a 
	genetic fault in our family”. If by that they mean they found some fault or 
	defect in these genes, then this may happen to some people and it is a test, 
	like other tests which Allah decrees for His slaves for some wisdom.

	However, if their intention is to accuse the Creator of an 
	error or the inability to create a normal gene then this is great disbelief 
	in Allah, the Exalted. He is capable of all things, and His actions are 
	based on wisdom; they are elaborate to the highest degree as He, the 
	Exalted, says (in meaning): “[It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all 
	things.” [27:88]

	And Allah knows best.