Wake Forest researchers have recently published a study into a recent tumor surgery trend-choosing to remove both breasts. Although research states that breast cancer survivors are not likely to discover cancer in their other breast after surgery, many women are choosing to have a bilateral mastectomy.
"Some [patients] still believe [bilateral mastectomy] is what is best for them, even after we talk about the implications, potential drawbacks and no increased odds of survival" says Dr. Judith Hopkins, an oncologist at Forsyth. "It is a patient-driven decision, and not a medical-driven decision, in most cases; some plastic surgeons say that reconstruction is easier on the patient when both breasts are done at the same time."
Anna Eichhorn, executive director of the Triad chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, said she has seen young women decide on a bilateral mastectomy "to be done with everything and not risk getting cancer again."
A mastectomy is a surgery designed to remove cancerous breast tissue, and hopefully prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Breast cancer patients may also choose to have a lumpectomy, which only removes the tumor and a small amount of the surrounding healthy tissue. This allows for much of the breast to be saved. When choosing a mastectomy, their doctor may recommend one of the five types: radical, modified radical, simple (sometimes called total), skin-sparing, or nipple-sparing mastectomies. Women are not likely to die from breast cancer alone. Its adverse affects can often be halted with surgery and radiation or chemotherapy before the cancerous cells reach the lungs, bone or brain.
Bilateral or "double" mastectomies involve the removal of both breasts' tissues, which is usually done as a preventative measure.
Previously, only women with the breast cancer gene (mutated BRCA1 or 2) were recommended for double mastectomies, as the removal of both breasts is often psychologically and physiologically traumatizing for the patient. However, for men or women with the gene, their risk of cancer is high enough (up to 87% in some cases) that they are often recommended for this drastic surgery. If a patient's close family member (mother daughter, or sister) has had breast cancer, doctors recommend being tested for the mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
More breast cancer patients are choosing the more invasive bilateral mastectomy for their tumor treatment. Usually doctors only recommend this type of breast cancer care for patients with a family history of breast cancer, especially if they have the BRCA gene. Younger women are choosing this option to "be done with everything and not risk getting cancer again."
More Breast Cancer Patients Choosing Double Mastectomy by TIFFANY S
"Some [patients] still believe [bilateral mastectomy] is what is best for them, even after we talk about the implications, potential drawbacks and no increased odds of survival" says Dr. Judith Hopkins, an oncologist at Forsyth. "It is a patient-driven decision, and not a medical-driven decision, in most cases; some plastic surgeons say that reconstruction is easier on the patient when both breasts are done at the same time."
Anna Eichhorn, executive director of the Triad chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, said she has seen young women decide on a bilateral mastectomy "to be done with everything and not risk getting cancer again."
A mastectomy is a surgery designed to remove cancerous breast tissue, and hopefully prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Breast cancer patients may also choose to have a lumpectomy, which only removes the tumor and a small amount of the surrounding healthy tissue. This allows for much of the breast to be saved. When choosing a mastectomy, their doctor may recommend one of the five types: radical, modified radical, simple (sometimes called total), skin-sparing, or nipple-sparing mastectomies. Women are not likely to die from breast cancer alone. Its adverse affects can often be halted with surgery and radiation or chemotherapy before the cancerous cells reach the lungs, bone or brain.
Bilateral or "double" mastectomies involve the removal of both breasts' tissues, which is usually done as a preventative measure.
Previously, only women with the breast cancer gene (mutated BRCA1 or 2) were recommended for double mastectomies, as the removal of both breasts is often psychologically and physiologically traumatizing for the patient. However, for men or women with the gene, their risk of cancer is high enough (up to 87% in some cases) that they are often recommended for this drastic surgery. If a patient's close family member (mother daughter, or sister) has had breast cancer, doctors recommend being tested for the mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
More breast cancer patients are choosing the more invasive bilateral mastectomy for their tumor treatment. Usually doctors only recommend this type of breast cancer care for patients with a family history of breast cancer, especially if they have the BRCA gene. Younger women are choosing this option to "be done with everything and not risk getting cancer again."
More Breast Cancer Patients Choosing Double Mastectomy by TIFFANY S