Although many doctors prefer to perform breast conserving surgery (also known as lumpectomy) when possible, mastectomies are still commonly performed, and in many cases are the only option. In addition, some women choose to have a mastectomy for prophylactic reasons. If you are interested in learning about the different types of mastectomy surgeries, have post-surgery body image concerns or want to know about post-mastectomy products, please check out the articles below.
Prophylactic breast surgery, also known as a preventive mastectomy, is usually performed on one or both breasts in an effort to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer. The procedure is controversial in the medical community and many physicians feel that it is not appropriate unless it is performed as treatment for breast cancer.
Roughly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Thanks to the increased prevalence of self-examination and mammography screening, physicians are detecting breast cancer earlier in its formation. In fact, over 80 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are in the early stages (stage 0, 1 or 2).