Choosing what kind of surgery to have is a very personal choice. “As a breast surgeon, my job is (to help patients) understand that their long-term survival with mastectomy is equivalent to that with lumpectomy and radiation,” says Dr. Sarah Cate, Chief of Breast Surgery, Stamford Hospital.
Often women will request to have both breasts removed, believing it’s the best way to prevent the cancer from recurring. This is not always the case. The size of the tumor, its genetic markers, and the patient’s family history are all factors to consider when choosing which surgery to undergo.
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