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Double Mastectomies on the Rise

Lack of evidence that it increases survival for most women

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2007 4:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – More women are choosing to have double mastectomies despite a lack of evidence that such a procedure increases survival for most women, according to a study in the Journal of Oncology. The number of women choosing the procedure after an initial tumor was found in one breast increased 150% over five years. Doctors usually recommend removal of a tumor and surrounding tissue for localized breast cancer, not a mastectomy.

Some speculate that improvements in reconstruction have helped spur the increase, while others believe women can be so "traumatized" by cancer that they want to avoid any future experience will the illness at all costs. But women need to remember the breast "is a sexual organ," cautions one expert, and that removal has serious "implications" for "sex life and sexuality."

This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast MRI from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. The arrow points to a 2.0 cm rapidly enhancing lesion which was later confirmed by biopsy to be invasive breast cancer. (AP Photo/Duke...
This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast MRI from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. The arrow points to a 2.0 cm rapidly enhancing lesion...   (Associated Press)
This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast mammogram from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. (AP Photo/Duke University Department of Medicine, HO)
This image made available by the Duke University Department of Medicine shows a right breast mammogram from a 55 year old woman with extreme breast density. (AP Photo/Duke University Department of Medicine,...   (Associated Press)
Breast cancer survivors walk during the Parade of Pink at the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure Saturday, June 2, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Breast cancer survivors walk during the Parade of Pink at the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure Saturday, June 2, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)   (Associated Press)
Breast cancer survivors cheer during the Parade of Pink before the start of the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure Saturday, June 2, 2007, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Breast cancer survivors cheer during the Parade of Pink before the start of the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure Saturday, June 2, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)   (Associated Press)
  (Associated Press)
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