It’s been estimated that over 100,000 Americans undergo a mastectomy every year. Some of these are preventive while others are meant to treat breast cancer. However, there’s a lot you need to know before you agree to have this procedure.
Some of the other treatments for breast cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. However, your doctor might recommend a mastectomy based on the location and size of your tumor.
There are different types of mastectomies and your doctor will make a suggestion depending on your scenario. For example, a simple mastectomy removes the whole breast and most of the overlying skin. A skin-saving mastectomy preserves enough skin for a reconstruction to be possible. If your tumor has a risk of spreading, you may have a radical mastectomy which removes the breast, skin, chest muscles, and lymph nodes under the arm.
Sometimes, doctors implement what is known as neoadjuvant therapy. This type of therapy is geared toward shrinking your tumor before the surgery. A smaller tumor can lead to a less intensive and more successful surgery.
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In reconstructive surgery, you would receive breast implants after the doctor has completed the mastectomy. However, if your body can’t accommodate implants after a procedure, you need to know.
Some of the risks of a mastectomy include bleeding, developing a hematoma, getting hard scars, and having swelling under your arm.
The recovery period can vary depending on the type of procedure you have. It can take three to four weeks to recover from the least invasive option. If you had reconstructive surgery as well, that can add another two to three weeks to your recovery time.
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It’s possible for tumors to develop in the future in the chest wall. These tumors can then spread to other parts of the body. You’re at a higher risk of this occurrence if you have the BRCA gene or have had other types of cancer.
Occasionally, doctors recommend complementary therapy with a mastectomy. This course is likely if the tumors spread to areas that are adjacent to the breast such as the lymph nodes. Even if the nodes were removed, your doctor might want to ensure that all the cancer cells are gone.
As with many surgeries, you might not be able to fully take care of yourself when you get home. It’s best to have someone you can call on just in case you need them.
If your job is sedentary in nature, you may be able to resume your duties after a few weeks. If it’s physically intensive, you’ll need more time to fully recuperate.
There are different reasons that doctors recommend a mastectomy. It can be a preventive measure for those with a high risk of developing breast cancer because of their genetics or medical history. Three reasons that your doctor might recommend a mastectomy as a treatment are if you have a large tumor, there are multiple tumors in your breast or breasts, and you’re not a good candidate for radiation therapy.
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Though there isn’t a lot of data that’s specific to Black Americans, the little there is raises some important questions. Statistics show that most Black people opt for mastectomy procedures that preserve some of their breast tissue. However, they’re less likely to be recommended for post-mastectomy reconstructive surgery. In that procedure, you would receive breast implants right after the mastectomy. The details of the procedure can differ but the outcome has been shown to have a positive impact on those who have it as their physical attributes don’t change drastically. Most importantly, Black patients pointed out that the most influential factor for having the procedure was a doctor’s recommendation. If this is something you’re interested in, it’s critical to talk to your doctor about it.
Whether you’re thinking about a mastectomy for preventive reasons or as a treatment, you need to know what you’re getting into. This is especially important if you wish to have reconstructive surgery. Your doctor should be able to tell you what’s possible for you.
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