With early-stage breast cancer one may be able to choose which type of breast surgery to have. Often, your choice is between breast conserving surgery (surgery that takes out the cancer leaving most of the breast) and a mastectomy (surgery that removes the whole breast). Research shows that women with early-stage breast cancer who have breast conserving surgery along with radiation therapy live as long as those who have a mastectomy. A skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is also available in our Department for women whose only option is a mastectomy or for those who opt to have all the breast tissue removed.

Most women with breast cancer will lead long, healthy lives after treatment. Treatment for breast cancer usually begins a few weeks after diagnosis. In these weeks, you should meet with a surgeon, learn the facts about your surgery choices, and think about what is important to you. Then choose which kind of surgery to have.