The founder and lead surgeon of Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology talks about less-invasive measures.

Lewisville, TX — As more women and their healthcare providers opt for aggressive treatments when breast cancer is diagnosed, new research is shedding light on the possibility that less may sometimes be more. When breast cancer is deemed relatively low risk, lumpectomies followed by radiation may offer an edge.

“A trend has developed over the past decade or so that has produced a significant spike in the number of women undergoing full mastectomies even when they are not medically required,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology. “While this course of action is taken for its perceived prophylactic benefits, the reality is many women who choose this path simply do not need to. If tumor risk and genetic markers do not support more invasive action, women may be opening themselves up to significant complication risks while making treatment and recovery more difficult on themselves.”

A new study into the trend found that mastectomies combined with breast reconstruction in early stage breast cancer posed much higher complication risks than less invasive lumpectomies and radiation. Women who chose the more intensive surgical route were deemed about 50 percent more likely to experience complications within two years of diagnosis. They also, not surprisingly, paid a tremendous amount more for care.

“Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer should arm themselves with the facts about their particular case before making potentially lifechanging treatment decisions,” urges Dr. Echt. “When high risks and genetic markers are not present, a less aggressive treatment path is likely to produce positive outcomes without enhancing the level of recovery and potential trauma women must face.”
It is estimated about 230,000 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the coming year. For those diagnosed with early-stage, low-risk forms of the disease, less intensive treatment may be the best path to follow.

About Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group
The Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group has state-of-the-art facilities that offer individualized care to patients throughout North Texas. With a team of expert oncologists and other specialists on staff, the Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group treats a variety of cancers and blood disorders with an eye towards the newest advancements available in diagnostic technology and treatments.