Unfortunately almost 30 – 40% of women may get a recurrence of breast cancer after their mastectomy, if they do not choose to also do radiation treatment.Recent studies show that some breast cancer patients are simply not choosing to do the recommended radiation after a mastectomy, while some patients’ doctors are not advising them how important this secondary treatment is. There is still a concern of stray cancer cells being left in the body, even after successful surgery. The only way to be sure you can eliminate even more the odds of having a recurrence, radiation treatment should be performed.While radiation treatment does have side effects, they are not as severe and debilitating as chemotherapy’s side effects. Women need to understand the increase protection they will get by having the radiation in addition to the surgery. It is easier to treat cancer cells locally with radiation at the time of diagnosis and surgery then it is after it metastasizes to other parts of the body and chemotherapy is required.If you feel you have been mistreated during your breast cancer treatments, or even misdiagnosed initially with your breast cancer, please contact our office to discuss these facts with a member of our medical malpractice staff.
