New Research Shows Mastectomy Less Necessary
JOPLIN, MO.--- Researchers at "Duke Medicine" have released a study showing that patients with early stage breast cancer who received a lumpectomy and radiation may have a better chance of survival compared with those who under-go a mastectomy.
Doctors with the Freeman Cancer Institute say there has been a 200% increase in the number of women who opted to have a bilateral mastectomy procedure over the past decade. They say this new research may be useful to women considering different avenues of treatment.
"This study sort of brings things into perspective to tell the women that they don't necessarily improve their survival if they take out much more than what is needed," said Dr. Anisa Hassan, M.D. Oncologist, Freeman Cancer Institute.
Researchers used 14 years of data from the California Cancer Registry in their study.
Doctors with the Freeman Cancer Institute say there has been a 200% increase in the number of women who opted to have a bilateral mastectomy procedure over the past decade. They say this new research may be useful to women considering different avenues of treatment.
"This study sort of brings things into perspective to tell the women that they don't necessarily improve their survival if they take out much more than what is needed," said Dr. Anisa Hassan, M.D. Oncologist, Freeman Cancer Institute.
Researchers used 14 years of data from the California Cancer Registry in their study.
