When you find out that you need surgery for breast cancer, fear often follows. It’s normal to be nervous, but many common fears about breast cancer surgery are based on myths rather than on facts.
Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, and our team in Laguna Hills, California, specialize in oncology and breast cancer surgery, and we want to help clear up common misconceptions. Inaccurate information can create unnecessary fear, keep you from early screening, or lead to overly aggressive decisions.
Accurate information empowers you to weigh options, ask smart questions, and choose a treatment path that balances effectiveness with your personal goals for recovery, appearance, and quality of life.
Here are five myths we hear about breast cancer surgery and the truth behind them.
A lumpectomy is surgical removal of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue to preserve most of the breast, while a mastectomy is removal of the entire breast to treat or prevent breast cancer.
It’s easy to assume that removing the entire breast is the safest route or that a mastectomy reduces your chance of cancer returning significantly more than breast-conserving surgery. In reality, a breast-conserving lumpectomy plus radiation offers similar survival outcomes compared with a full mastectomy for women with early-stage cancer.
In other words, if we catch cancer early, preserving much of your breast through a lumpectomy and following up with radiation therapy can be just as effective as removing the entire breast.
Breast cancer surgery can change the look of your body, but for many women the change is less dramatic than they feared — especially if they have breast-conserving surgery like lumpectomy.
With lumpectomy, much of your natural breast remains. Many women retain their natural breast shape, and their breast tissue, nipple, and areola often retain sensation.
Even in cases when a mastectomy is necessary, reconstruction can be an option. Combining cancer removal with reconstructive or cosmetic procedures can preserve both your appearance and your self-confidence.
It’s true that lumpectomy is often followed by radiation therapy. That’s because removing just part of your breast leaves some tissue behind, and radiation helps destroy any remaining cancer cells. But that doesn’t mean constant or indefinite radiation.
We prescribe your therapy schedule based on your specific case, and we discuss what you can expect before surgery so you can make an informed decision.
Many women do very well with the combination of lumpectomy and radiation, and they’re able to avoid more radical surgery and maintain excellent long-term outcomes and quality of life.
Breast cancer surgery is a major procedure, but surgical techniques have advanced significantly in recent years. In fact, for early-stage cancers treated with lumpectomy, many patients return to their normal daily activities within a week or so.
Even with more extensive procedures, modern postoperative care, pain management, and rehabilitation help patients recover well and manage any side effects.
Before recommending treatment, Dr. Klause talks with you about your options based on tumor size and location, your overall health, and personal preferences to balance effectiveness with quality of life.
Surgery is often foundational in breast cancer treatment, but it’s not the only step. Depending on the type, stage, and characteristics of the tumor, we might recommend additional therapies like radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other systemic treatments.
Assuming that surgery alone is enough can lead to undertreatment or misunderstanding of what’s needed for long-term control. That’s why a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific diagnosis is essential.
Dr. Klause offers advanced treatment for breast cancer, and we’re ready to support you through every step of diagnosis and treatment. We carefully evaluate your cancer type and stage to determine whether a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or other approach is most appropriate.
If you need surgery, we tailor your procedure to your anatomy, health, and preferences. We can also discuss reconstructive options as part of your complete treatment plan. Depending on your needs, we can help coordinate follow-up therapies (radiation, chemotherapy, systemic therapies) when indicated to give you the best possible outcome.
No matter what, we’re here to give you compassionate guidance and support to help you navigate decisions. Facing breast cancer surgery can be overwhelming, but understanding the facts helps you clear up fear and open possibilities.
If you want expert advice, clarity, and compassionate guidance through your decision-making process, book an appointment with Dr. Klause today. Reach out online or call us at 949-245-6910 to learn more.
