There has been a lot of discussion lately about breast cancer patients opting for mastectomies rather than lumpectomies and double mastectomies when cancer has only been detected in one breast so why are these rates rising? The information is scientifically and medically accurate but the human factor in making these decisions becomes the defining piece of this equation.
“Hopefully, we have a doctor who will listen and address all questions and concerns to our satisfaction but if you are not content with the options or information that you are receiving, perhaps a second opinion is needed.”Barbara Jacoby
Speaking from my personal experience, when my first cancer was found, I had a lumpectomy. Sadly, additional cancer was later found in the same breast. I have no way of knowing whether the two small lumps found that second time were there when the first cancer was removed. They may have been there but were either too small to be seen or were hidden behind the larger lump that was removed with the lumpectomy.
But, when cancer was found the second time, the recommendation from my surgeon was definitely a mastectomy in the breast that held cancer both times with a strong recommendation that the second breast be removed also. He did allow for me to make the choice but he also cautioned me that we would always have to do accelerated testing and that the threat of cancer in the second breast would be something that most likely would always be on my mind.
The other factor to be considered is the mental aspect of a breast cancer diagnosis. Even if you have been assured that the cancer will be/has been completely removed and the chance of its returning is very, very small, what do statistics really mean to you at such a time?
If there is no scientific data that shows that if you have cancer in one breast that it doesn’t travel to the other breast, how do we know that it doesn’t happen? Even if cancer doesn’t travel between breasts, if we don’t know how or why we got cancer in one breast, why would we not be concerned about it occurring in the other breast?
Obviously, such decisions are completely dependent upon the individual’s choice in concert with their medical team. You may want to learn more before making a decision, but it is most important to have medical doctors that are willing to listen to their patients and understand the mental impact that all decisions have upon the patient.
Hopefully, we have a doctor who will listen and address all questions and concerns to our satisfaction but if you are not content with the options or information that you are receiving, perhaps a second opinion is needed. After all, there is no one who is living your life except you so why would you settle for anything that would have a negative impact on you, especially at a time when you need to feel positive about your choices more than ever?
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.