BCAM:Study: Bilateral mastectomies don’t improve breast cancer patients’ odds

[Rhinodawg]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/special-reports/breast-cancer-awareness/article2951511.html

These two divergent reactions are typical of early breast cancer patients. More and more, however, women are choosing contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) — removing the healthy breast along with the diseased breast — instead of just removing the tumor and surrounding tissue, known as a lumpectomy. (Lumpectomies involve radiation after the surgery.)

Studies show the CPM rate has increased more than fivefold since 1998, fueled more by overestimation of potential risk than actual survival rates. The jump has caused concern in the medical community.

“It’s a very personal choice, but I think some of these decisions are being made out of fear rather than current research findings,” said Dr. Mecker G. Moller, a surgical oncologist and professor of surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “There is only a small percentage of high-risk patients who would benefit from undergoing prophylactic mastectomies, based on genetic predisposition. But some patients don’t want to continue living with the threat. They want peace of mind.”

Peace of mind is not without a price. A double mastectomy is a potentially riskier procedure than a simple lumpectomy, in which surgeons remove the tumor and surrounding tissue but leave the breast intact. What’s more, choosing to remove both breasts to treat cancer affecting only one side does not improve survival rates for most women.

[Cairycat]

1. Four years ago I chose lumpectomy

There was one health care provider who criticized my decision. Needless to say, I no longer see her. My body, my choice, but it's nice to see something to back it up.

[Rhinodawg]

2. You're a brave person.

[phylny]

3. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last December,

and my first instinct was "take them both off!" However, I had a great team of doctors and a genetic counselor, and after blood tests and consultation, I learned that with my type of cancer and my genetic results, a lumpectomy followed by radiation was to be just as effective as a bilateral mastectomy, so that's what I chose. My doctors could not have been more informative and supportive than they were.

[liberal_at_heart]

4. that's the way to do it right there. Every cancer is different because every body is different.

Finding out your specific risk is always the best thing to do before deciding to do further surgery. I have never had breast cancer but I have the BRCA1 gene so I have already had preventive double mastectomy.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

5. I have had two different breast cancers

The first time, I had a lumpectomy and radiation, and was happy with my decision. I chose not to make a fearful decision, and that cancer DID NOT return. I repeat. DID NOT RETURN. I made the right decision by all accounts. I did not want to lose my breasts; they are a part of me and a part of my sexuality.

Instead, I got a completely different FREAKING breast cancer a few years later in the other breast. SHIT!

After the initial shock wore off, my doctor and I agreed that a bilateral mastectomy was the best thing for me, since this particular cancer is known as the "sneaky" one (lobular), and I wasn't going to wait for it to go to my other breast.

My implants aren't the real thing and my fake nipples don't feel a damn thing, but I am happy to be alive. I do feel better about myself than if I had chosen to have no reconstructive surgery, but that is a very personal choice for each woman.

I look back and know that if I'd have had a mastectomy the first time around, I wouldn't be sitting around wondering about my future survival, yet I know I made the right decision at the time. I am just one of the very, very unlucky ones.

Think Pink! (Gee, I've come to hate that color. LOL) Get your freaking mammograms.

[Rhinodawg]

6. Very inspiring story.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

8. Thanks. I don't feel very inspiring.

I am doing what women do - moving on and living my life.

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R