Removal of healthy breast in cancer patients needless, says study
Posted on: 13/Mar/2016 10:44:59 AM
A recent study has said that thousands of women are having their breasts removed needlessly. The study was conducted by Brigham and Women`s Hospital in Boston, United States. It says that over 4000 women with breast cancer opt for a double mastectomy in Britain, believing that it will prevent the cancer from appearing in the healthy breast. The study says that the healthy tissue would never have developed cancer for the majority of women.
In addition, the study says, physical and psychological complications are a by product of unnecessary surgery. More than 500,000 breast cancer patients were studied under the project. The entire period of the study spanned eight and a half years.
Says a senior researcher, Our analysis highlights the sustained, sharp rise in popularity of CPM while contributing to the mounting evidence that this more extensive surgery offers no significant survival benefit to women with a first diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients and caregivers should weigh the expected benefits with the potential risks of CPM, including prolonged recovery time, increased risk of operative complications, cost, the possible need for repeat surgery, and effects on self-image. Understanding why women choose to undergo CPM may create an opportunity for health care providers to optimally counsel women about surgical options, address anxieties, discuss individual preferences and ensure peace of mind related to a patient`s surgical choice.
