A study published in the journal JAMA Oncology showed that early treatments for the earliest stage of breast cancers in women offers no effect even if the patient has survived from the disease.
Researchers found that pursuing treatment after being diagnosed with early cancer lesions does not reduce the overall risk of dying of the individual. Therapies for ductal carcinoma in situ do not affect survival. Though the news sound pessimistic for those seeking cancer medications, the findings suggest that detecting lesions at an early stage with the use of mammograms only lead to unnecessary mastectomies.
In the study, 100,000 women whom majority had lumpectomies while the other had mastectomies were tracked. Most women with Stage 0 breast cancer choose to undergo lumpectomy in order to remove the abnormal cells. They immediately decide to get rid of their breasts.
Senior scientist at the Women's College Research Institute Steven Narod revealed that women choose the said option in the last 20 years. Narod blamed the breast cancer awareness culture created which made cancer patients live in fear. When women do a mastectomy, their fears are greatly reduced but the risk is still there.
Base on the data gathered, Narod concluded that, "I think the best way to treat DCIS is to do nothing."
However, the American Cancer Society particularly the chief medical officer Dr. Otis Brawley stated that he is still not ready to abandon the treatment they have been using. A large clinical trial should be made to further prove the study. Random women should be assigned to get mastectomies, lumpectomies and other treatment for DCIS.
The chief breast-cancer surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Dr. Monica Morrow did not also agree with the findings of the said study. The treatments they offer to the patients are the only way, said Morrow.
On the other hand, Brawley also admitted that the current treatments offered are really excessive.
