The Benefits of Breast Conservation Surgery for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in US women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. Each year in the United States, about 30% of cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancers. 

Fortunately, about two-thirds of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages, when it's easiest to treat. More good news: Breast cancer survival rates have risen steadily over the past several decades thanks to advances in treatment and diagnosis. 

At Sierra Pacific Surgical, our expert team of surgeons offers the most advanced treatment options and compassionate care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Here, we share information about breast conservation surgery, one of the most common options for breast surgery.

What is breast conservation surgery?

Also called a lumpectomy, this surgery involves removing only the cancerous tumor and the surrounding tissue, called the margin. A mastectomy, the other common option for breast cancer surgery, is a procedure in which the surgeon removes the entire breast. 

Breast conservation surgery is not an option for everyone. But for women with early-stage breast cancer, a lumpectomy followed by radiation may be more effective at treating cancer than a mastectomy. 

What are the benefits of breast conservation surgery?

Breast cancer is a serious and scary diagnosis. It's vital to discuss the benefits and risks of each treatment option. Studies show that survival rates are the same with both a lumpectomy plus radiation and a mastectomy. 

The significant benefits of breast conservation surgery include:

• You get to keep as much of your natural breast tissue as possible
• The procedure is less invasive than a mastectomy
• The recovery time is shorter than with a mastectomy
• You can preserve more of your breast sensation than with a mastectomy

 You and your surgeon can discuss the best treatment for your diagnosis.

Other things to consider with breast conservation surgery

Following a lumpectomy, you must commit to regular radiation treatments five days a week for about 5-7 weeks to ensure that the cancer is gone. You also may require additional surgery if your margin, the tissue removed along with the tumor, has cancer cells. 

It's vital to your survival rate to have clean or negative margins, meaning the surrounding tissue doesn’t reveal any cancer cells. A pathologist tests the surrounding tissue, and if your margins are positive, meaning it has some cancer cells, you may have to undergo a re-excision procedure.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, contact Sierra Pacific Surgical — we have several offices conveniently located in Northern California — to meet with one of our expertly trained surgeons to determine the best surgical treatment for you.