
Bilateral mastectomy does not increase breast cancer survival chances – when compared to breast-conserving surgery plus radiation, the Daily Mail, Guardian, Independent and Mirror reported yesterday.
The news is based on the results of a large US cohort study of women with early stage breast cancer in one breast.
The study found that the 10-year mortality benefit associated with double mastectomy was the same as breast-conserving surgery (also known as lumpectomy, where the cancer and a border of healthy tissue is removed) plus radiotherapy.
Unilateral mastectomy (removal of the affected breast only) was associated with higher mortality than were the other 2 surgical options, although the absolute difference was only 4%.
I have blogged about the double mastectomy situation. Thank you for keeping the spotlight on it.
You are welcome Margaret