Cancer Patients Who Refuse Breast Removal Risk More Operations

One in five women with breast cancer who refuse to undergo mastectomy and instead opt for a less drastic operation end up having another surgery to remove tumours, a study says.

Researchers found that the reoperation rate increases to one in three for women whose early-stage cancer is difficult to detect. They believe that surgeons are not always removing enough of the affected tissue, allowing cancerous cells to multiply.

The scientists warn that the treatment causes women added "emotional distress" during what is already a very upsetting time. And the ordeal of having a second operation will further delay their recovery and return to normal life.