$Unique_ID{BRK01902}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Breast Surgery:  When is it Necessary to Take it All?}
$Subject{Breast breasts Surgery surgeries operate operation operations cancer
cancers cancerous procedure procedures reason reasons tumor tumors
calcification calcifications X-ray x-rays large pendulous information consult
consultation consultations}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Breast*0002601.scf
Anatomy of the Female Chest*0005301.scf
Simple Mastectomy*0005302.scf
Modified Radical Mastectomy*0005303.scf
Standard Radical Mastectomy*0005304.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Breast Surgery:  When is it Necessary to Take it All?


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QUESTION:  My mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and is to have
breast surgery.  When I asked what type of operation was to be done she told
me the doctor was going to take off her whole breast.  Aren't there less
disfiguring procedures that can be used?  I don't think she stands up to the
doctor very well, and want to know what I can do to be sure that she is
properly cared for.  We live too far away to travel home.

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ANSWER:  You have every right to call the physician or surgeon to discuss this
on behalf of your Mother, if you feel that she is intimidated by the white
coat.  You might find her quite relieved that you are taking on this
responsibility if she frightened by this operation, and anxious about all its
details.  And who wouldn't be!
     You may only get to a nurse with your first call.  Leave all the
information about yourself with her, and provide both a number and time that
you are sure to be home to take the doctor's call.  Ask whether he maintains a
"telephone hour" to take questions, and you might want to call him back then.
When you do speak, make sure to take complete notes.  Your mother will require
a word for word accounting, and you must be prepared.
     You must realize that there are some very valid reasons for not selecting
a procedure that spares more of the breast.  They include:  a tumor that is
too large to permit a surgical excision that permits saving a portion of the
breast, the presence of more than one tumor in different areas within the
breast, suspicious calcifications seen on X-ray spread widely within all parts
of the breast, and very large or pendulous breast.
     The surgeon will be more comfortable sharing this information with you if
he feels you are capable of telling your mother without provoking additional
anxiety.  Ask his advice on how this might be done, so that you are both
giving Mother the same information.  A clear thinking daughter can be a most
precious colleague to a doctor with a sensitive patient.  You can play this
essential role even if distance separates you from home during these trying
times, and make the experience more endurable for your Mother.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.