(May 16, 2008)--Doctors report that a growing number of women with early stage breast cancer seem to be choosing to have the whole breast removed instead of just the cancerous lump.
Mastectomies were standard treatment until 1990, when studies suggested women whose cancers were small did just as well if they had less radical surgery followed by radiation, which set a trend of more women choosing breast-conserving treatment.
Now, a study of about 5,500 women at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota suggests mastectomies are on the rise.
According to the study, only 30 percent chose mastectomies in 2003. By 2006, 43 percent were opting for the more radical treatment.
A cancer specialist says it's not clear why, but it may be because newer tests are flagging so many suspicious spots that women want the breast removed for peace of mind.
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