A new study could give African American women diagnosed with breast cancer more confidence in less aggressive surgeries for the treatment of breast cancer. The study compares the incidence of breast cancer return inpatients who had lumpectomies compared to those who had mastectomies. Comedian Wanda Sykes recently reported on Ellen Degenre’s show that she had opted for the removal of both breasts as a safeguard against the return of the disease. Lumpectomy involves removing a portion of the chest above the breast.
Dr. Karissa Boyd of Topeka Cotton-O’Neil Cancer Center, says many women fear that the chances of breast cancer reoccurring is increased in cases of removing a portion of the chest, so they tend to take a more radical approach and opt for complete removal of the affected breast, and in some cases removal of both breasts.
However, the results of a new study published in September, show the more aggressive approach does not significantly impact the chances of cancer not returning. The study involving almost 15,000 women under age 40 diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage showed that over time, rates of recurrence and survival rates between lumpectomy and mastectomy surgeries were equal.
Boyd says the results are important because the mastectomy tends to have a longer recovery time and is a more acute healing process. The most important thing, she says is that all of the cancer cells are removed and the patient followed by radiotherapy is removed. She said that usually sees five days a week for six weeks.
Boyd also reports that the psychological advantage for a woman warrants giving closer consideration to the lumpectomy option as opposed to a mastectomy which may constantly remind a breast cancer survivor of the loss.
