What type of surgery is performed to prevent potential problems or damage?

The correct choice is preventative surgery, which is specifically designed to reduce the risk of developing cancer or to prevent potential complications from existing conditions. This type of surgery may be recommended for individuals who have a high risk of certain cancers due to genetic factors or family history. For example, women with a strong family history of breast cancer may choose to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy to lower their risk of developing the disease.

In contrast, diagnostic surgery is performed to confirm the presence of cancer or to obtain a tissue sample for further testing, which does not prevent potential problems but rather identifies them. Curative surgery aims to remove cancerous tumors and is intended to eliminate the disease. Palliative surgery focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced stages of cancer, rather than preventing complications. Each of these surgical options serves a distinct purpose, but preventative surgery is uniquely aimed at avoiding future health issues altogether.