Although 80% of women today are good candidates for lumpectomy (breast-conserving) surgery, we continue to see nationally a smaller number of women actually having this procedure and instead undergoing mastectomy procedures. Making sure that your patient understands the decision-making process when offered a choice between these 2 procedures is important. Some patients choose mastectomy out of fear. They are so frightened having just been diagnosed that they commonly will say "take them both off." A natural reaction at a time of panic. Others may say "Do a mastectomy so I don't have to have chemotherapy." Oops, that's not the trade here. So, a few facts to make sure your patients are empowered with information so they can confidently participate in the decision making about their surgical treatment:
