New Delhi: It is not uncommon that you come across a lady who tells you that she had to get her breast removed for treatment of breast cancer. In fact, it was the norm rather than the exception, that mastectomy or complete removal of the breast, was dictated to any woman irrespective of age or disease status. It is not untrue that many times women themselves opt for mastectomy fearing a chance of the disease coming back in the conserved breast.

But we need to change.

We need to understand that the breast is not just a milk-producing organ that loses its function after lactation but an important part of the female image. It is not just a projecting appendage but a form defining entity that makes a woman, a woman.

In this article, Dr Shubham Garg, Senior Consultant and Surgical Oncologist at Fortis Hospital, Noida shares his insight into one of the most common misconceptions and fear associated with breast cancer treatment – mastectomy, also known as the complete removal of the breast. 

Change the belief

We need to change the belief that complete removal of breasts will reduce the risk of the disease coming back. A well-performed surgery that removes the breast lump with adequate margin (ie normal tissue around it) and manages to preserve the aesthetics of the body and is followed up with short radiotherapy will give the same survival and recurrence chances as mastectomy. Your doctor is the best judge who can advise you whether breast conservation surgery is possible or not.

Change the decision-maker

 In a patriarchal society like ours, women rarely have the power to make a decision, even about their bodies. Many times the women themselves surrender their rights and allow the menfolk to take the call about surgery. This should change. Women should be told about the pros and cons of both types of surgery and should be made a partner in decision making. They should choose rather than be told about the surgery.

Conservation of breast is the right of every breast cancer patient. The slightest mention that the patient may want breast preservation prompts us as doctors to do what we can to save it. Many times we choose to give chemotherapy first to reduce the size of the tumour to save the breast. If this is not possible or successful, then we use surgical principles of plastic surgery to bring tissue from the back or abdomen to supplement breast tissue and maintain its shape. This requires a fine eye for detail and great coordination between different surgical disciplines.

Remember, you don’t need to lose your breast to cure cancer. You just need to change your mindset, raise your hand and ask for it.

Dr Shubham Garg is a guest contributor. Views expressed are personal.