(MENAFNEditorial) The founder and lead surgeon of Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology talks taking a conservative approach to breast cancer treatment.
Lewisville, TX, While more women are choosing to face down breast cancer by undergoing prophylactic mastectomies instead of opting for breast conserving treatments, research is showing that less may be more. New research indicates overall survival rates are higher for women who choose lumpectomies followed by radiation when this course of treatment is advised.
To arrive at those findings, researchers analyzed the cases of more than 1,100 patients. All women included in the study were diagnosed with lower-risk forms of breast cancer. While women in the study group did undergo lumpectomies and radiation at frequencies higher than the national average, researchers noted the outcomes for the breast-conserving treatments were quite positive. Survival rates were pegged at 92.5 percent for women who had lumpectomies followed by radiation. The national average survival rate for breast cancer is 82 percent overall.
The study sheds light on the benefits taking a more conservative approach may have for some women, explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology. When cancer is deemed low risk and genetic testing results support breast conserving interventions, taking this path can have many benefits for women. In addition to potentially producing more positive outcomes, opting for a lumpectomy instead of a full mastectomy poses fewer overall complication risks.
The studys findings come at a time when more women are choosing to undergo mastectomies and double mastectomies following diagnosis of breast cancer. While genetic markers may make taking this route advisable, clinicians have noted many women choosing more invasive options even when they may not strictly be called for.
It is very important for women to carefully review all treatment options with their healthcare providers, stresses Dr. Echt. Undergoing more invasive procedures isnt always called for. When it is not, women endure higher complication risks without the benefit of increased survival chances.
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.
For more information, visit: http://lewisvilleflowermoundoncology.com
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