The founder and lead surgeon of the Las Colinas Cancer Center talks about early breast cancer.

Irving, TX, – Women who are diagnosed with early breast cancer may find taking a conservative approach to treatment is the best way to go. A recent study looked at the benefits and risks of aggressive interventions versus the use of radiation and lumpectomies. The results ultimately showed that taking the less aggressive path could be the best recommendation in some cases.

The study involved more than 100,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Some of the women underwent mastectomies to treat early breast cancer followed by reconstruction surgery. Other women in the study group opted for lumpectomies followed by radiation. Women in the mastectomy group had a rate of post-treatment complications that was about 50 percent. Those who underwent lumpectomies experienced fewer complications, researchers found. In addition, costs associated with the more radical surgery were significantly higher and grew more if complications, such as infections, arose.

“As the rate of women choosing mastectomies versus lumpectomies rises, the study sheds light on the very real need for women and their healthcare providers to examine the facts of their cases before making treatment decisions,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “Both paths of treatment can have very positive outcomes for women in early stages of breast cancer. Mastectomies, however, are often best reserved for case where there is a high risk of recurrence.”

The study was conducted as a significant rise in the number of women seeking mastectomies even in early stages has been witnessed. The rate climbed by 36 percent between 2005 and 2013. There has also been a near tripling in the number of women choosing double mastectomies even when only one breast is affected by cancer.

“When risk factors and genetic testing show a lower risk, women may want to think twice before pursuing more invasive treatments,” says Dr. Echt. “In lower risk cases, complication risks and costs may not be worth the benefits.”
Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer should carefully review the facts of their cases before making treatment decisions. In lower risk, early breast cancer, a more conservative approach to treatment may be the best path to take, researchers have found.

About Las Colinas Cancer Center
Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in North Texas, offers those battling cancer and blood disorders a safe haven where they can find professional care from some of the nation’s most experienced oncology specialists in a supportive, caring environment with an integrated approach to treatment.