Breast cancer among men is a rare occasion, but between 2004-2005 and 2010-2011, the rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy among men who underwent surgery has risen from 3 percent to 5.6 percent – an alarming increase of 86.7 percent.
STUDY LOOKED AT OVER 6,330 MEN WHO’VE HAD THIS SURGERY
The vice president of surveillance at the American Cancer Society and lead researcher in the study told the press that it is unclear as to why there has been such a dramatic rise in the frequency of the procedure for men, especially since this type of mastectomy – in which the healthy, unaffected breast is also removed – isn’t always necessary.
The study examined 6,330 men with breast cancer in one breast between the years of 2004 and 2011. From this group, 1,254 men underwent breast-conserving surgery, 4,800 men underwent a single-breast mastectomy and 278 men underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. The results, published on September 2nd, can be found in journal JAMA Surgery.
RISK OF MEN BEING DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER 1:1000
Breast cancer is most commonly associated with women, and according to the numbers, this is statistically correct. About one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. The risk for men is only about one in 1,000. Mastectomies are also the most common type of surgery to treat breast cancer in men, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Researchers are concerned because the increase is not just reflective of people considered to be at “high risk” for breast cancer, but for other men and women as well. Reliance on genetic testing and the use of MRI’s during diagnosis might contribute to the increase in the rate of women receiving these operations. Researchers believe this might also be the case among men.
This is concerning because “[The operation] is only recommended for a small proportion of men,” and the rates observed in the new study are higher than this proportion, stated Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, the lead researcher on the study.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE URGED TO DISCUSS BENEFITS AND DANGERS
Medical professionals suggest that doctors should really discuss the benefits and dangers of surgery with male breast cancer patients. Although only one percent of all breast cancer patients in the United States are men, more information still needs to be collected before doctors can make a solid decision regarding double mastectomies in men.
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Mastectomy Rate Rises For Men With Breast Cancer
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