More breast-cancer patients are choosing full mastectomies once again
May 16th, 2008, 2:36 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Colin Stewart
FIGHTING CANCER
Why Are More Breast Cancer Patients Having Mastectomies?
The percentage of breast-cancer patients choosing to have an entire breast removed is increasing, and it’s not clear why, The Wall Street Journal’s “Health” blog reports.
Mayo Clinic doctors say women choosing mastectomies rose to 43 percent from 30 percent between 2003 and 2006.
Possible reasons: Women now have more options for reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy. Also, they may gauge the risks of the less radical operation differently because of new genetic tests.
Full mastectomies had been a standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer, but the National Institutes of Health concluded in 199 that removal of just a malignant lump was equally effective, if followed by radiation therapy.
