While visiting Australia, Dr. Monica Morrow, a breast cancer specialist from the Fox Chase Centre in Philadelphia, was a radio guest on PM, where she shared her expert view on needless breast cancer surgery. According to Dr. Morrow, survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer who choose lumpectomy and follow-up radiation have the same life expectancy as those who choose to have a complete mastectomy. However, too many women are choosing radical mastectomies when they do not have to because they believe it will improve their chances of surviving breast cancer. Dr. Morrow speculates the reason women with breast cancer still make the choice for such a radical surgical solution is due to fear. "I think what is difficult is for many women to accept that idea, that a smaller operation can be just as good as a bigger, more radical surgery." The transcript of the interview is available online, as well as an audio of the broadcast.Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Breast cancer: radical mastectomy needless choice for some
While visiting Australia, Dr. Monica Morrow, a breast cancer specialist from the Fox Chase Centre in Philadelphia, was a radio guest on PM, where she shared her expert view on needless breast cancer surgery. According to Dr. Morrow, survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer who choose lumpectomy and follow-up radiation have the same life expectancy as those who choose to have a complete mastectomy. However, too many women are choosing radical mastectomies when they do not have to because they believe it will improve their chances of surviving breast cancer. Dr. Morrow speculates the reason women with breast cancer still make the choice for such a radical surgical solution is due to fear. "I think what is difficult is for many women to accept that idea, that a smaller operation can be just as good as a bigger, more radical surgery." The transcript of the interview is available online, as well as an audio of the broadcast.
