Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or Mastectomy?

[Hazelgreen]

Published in Oncology

Journal Scan / Research · September 30, 2022

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This retrospective study evaluating survival outcomes in women with breast cancer aged over 70 years following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy showed that BCS and mastectomy led to comparable overall survival rates. The survival benefit of BCS was found to be statistically significant in patients who received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

No difference in overall survival rates was observed between patients who underwent BCS and those who underwent mastectomy, regardless of the clinicopathologic status, axillary surgical procedures, or adjuvant therapies. BCS should be recommended for all eligible patients older than 70 years of age.

[8576]

Thanks again Hazel for posting this research. I had a complete mastectomy including lymph nodes. No problems to report and cancer has never returned to this area. I am due for a CT scan in December. My bone scan was stable. Here's hoping. I am in Canada also. Why try and preserve something that is diseased.

Cheers, June S.

[Hazelgreen in reply to 8576]

I'm glad you are comfortable with having had a complete mastectomy, June. I insisted on going against medical advice in avoiding both a mastectomy and chemotherapy at age 60. When I was diagnosed with MBC 13 years later, cancer was almost everywhere except my breasts. Clearly, despite the many lymph nodes removed during my lumpectomies in 2006, cancer cells had already travelled via my lymph/blood systems. It took lymphedema in my right arm to alert me that something was wrong so long after.

[8576 in reply to Hazelgreen]

Yes, we all have to make our own decisions about care.

Cheers, June S.

[jersey-jazz]

Thank you, dear friend, for keeping us well informed. The fewer attacks on our body, the better off we are.

[Hazelgreen in reply to jersey-jazz]

I definitely agree with you, Frances! Given that so little has been learned about individual differences in breast cancer responses, those of us who have reached middle/old age are well advised to be very cautious about what we allow to happen to our bodies. XXX, Cindy