Breast Cancer Advice. Keep up to date with the latest information and treatment of breast cancer.
A Member of the Healthscout Network
 Printer Friendly  Send to a Friend

Breast-Conserving Surgery Leaves Many Cancer Patients Disappointed

Poor aesthetic outcome after lumpectomy linked to depression, fear, study finds

WEDNESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- A third of women who opt for breast-conserving cancer surgery say they now have an asymmetry between their breasts that greatly affects their quality of life, a new study says.

Women whose affected breast looked noticeably different after surgery were twice as likely to fear their cancer returning and to have symptoms of depression when compared with women whose breasts still appeared similar, according to the study by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Advertisement
Related Stories
 border=
New Screening Catches More Breast Cancers
Breast Cancer Drug Not Tied to Cognitive Decline: Study
Normal Cells May Predict Cancer Virulence
Related Videos
 border=
A Welcome Message from Survivor PJ Hamel
Smother Says "Cut!"
Maryann and Paula
Related Slides
 border=
Breast Cancer
Breast Self-Exam


Their findings are published in the July 10 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"We found that one of the most important factors of postoperative quality of life and satisfaction was postoperative asymmetry or the aesthetic outcome that women experienced after their surgery," study author Dr. Jennifer Waljee, a resident in general surgery at the U-M Medical School, said in a university news release.

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer can choose between surgery that removes just the tumor and some surrounding tissue or a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast. Reconstructive surgery is possible after each type of operation.

"It's important for women to think about all of those issues at the time that they're making their surgical decision and realize that although breast-conserving surgery may or may not be less disfiguring than mastectomy, they're likely to experience some asymmetry afterwards that may impact their quality of life," Waljee said.

Surgeons usually discuss prior to the operation the types of aesthetic changes mastectomy patients will see after. The researchers believe the same level of counseling is not given those having breast-conserving surgery, leaving them with incorrect expectations of what their breast will look like after the operation.

"It's important for breast surgeons to have an open and honest dialog with their patients so that they understand patients' expectations before surgery and can better address postoperative recovery needs," Waljee said.

More information

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has more about breast cancer.

-- Kevin McKeever

SOURCE: University of Michigan Health System, news release, July 8, 2008

Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 7/9/2008



Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and does not serve as a replacement for care provided by your own personal health care team. This website does not render or provide medical advice, and no individual should make any medical decisions or change their health behavior based on information provided here. All pertinent content provided on this website should be discussed with your personal physician to evaluate whether it has any relevance to or impact on your specific condition. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.


Sep 5, 2008
Home
Search
Powered By HealthLine
New! For timely and trustworth health information, expert advice and much more, visit Breast Cancer Connection
Patient Guide
News
Health Videos
Health Encyclopedia
Health News Archive
Affiliate Information
HealthScout Network
Contact Us
Newsletters
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.
About The HealthScout Network Contact Us
Copyright © 2001. The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy  Terms of Service  

To find more information on specific conditions, please visit our partner sites: