Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2017, it is estimated that roughly 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers. In the United States, about one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
Through research, fundraisers, and medical advancements, there has been encouraging improvement in screening, survival, and cosmetic outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Breast conserving surgery has been offered to women for several decades. It became even more popular in the 1990s due to increased screening and the “Nancy Reagan effect”. Large trials have demonstrated that breast conservation surgery is equivalent to mastectomy for breast cancer treatment. If lumpectomy (also called partial mastectomy) is offered to a patient, it can result in short operation times, easier recovery times, and allow the patient to save their breast.
Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery is an advanced approach to removing breast cancer. Learn more about the surgery here.
Historically, a lumpectomy involved removing a large amount of breast tissue which could result in a deformity in the breast. With improved localization tools and better techniques for eliminating deformities and scars on the breast, breast conservation is an excellent option for some patients.
Screening mammography has allowed doctors the opportunity to find small cancers in the breast before they even become palpable. This is great for detection, but poses a challenge in removing the appropriate section of tissue in the breast when a lumpectomy is performed.
Traditionally, wires have been placed in the breast on the day of surgery in order to locate the lesion of interest properly. This has provided inconvenience, pain, and added stress for patients. Ochsner has recently adopted new technology to replace the wire technique, making a more seamless transition through surgery for patients.
Magnetic seed localization can be performed up to 30 days prior to breast conservation surgery, decreasing scheduling conflicts, and improving comfort and patient satisfaction.
Women today have very good options for managing a breast cancer diagnosis. With advancements in systemic treatments, women are surviving longer.