What Influences Breast Cancer Treatment?

Reported September 02, 2009

(Ivanhoe newswire) -- Breast cancer patients typically must choose between removing only the breast cancer tissue through lumpectomy or undergoing a mastectomy and removing the entire breast. Mastectomies do not require post-surgery radiation therapy, and lessen anxiety for cancer reoccurrence. A new analysis reveals which factors influence patients' decisions.

Patients' attitudes on surgery and their family and friend's opinions influenced surgical choices made by women. Patients in all racial and ethnic groups who were more involved in their treatment decisions were more likely to have a mastectomy. Patients more concerned about body image and their spouse's opinion were less likely to have a mastectomy than those less concerned.

The twenty-year risk of local recurrence is significantly lower for mastectomy patients, according to researchers. The risk for reoccurrence is only three to five percent for mastectomy patients, compared to 15 to 20 percent after lumpectomy and radiation.

Researchers studied over 3,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer from June 2005 through February 2007 reported in Los Angeles or Detroit. Primary factors analyzed include patient involvement with decision-making, race or ethnicity, concern about reoccurrence, effects of radiation, impact of surgery on body image, and the role of others in decision making.

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, August 31, 2009