A new study has shown that a large percentage of men affected by breast cancer are now choosing to have both their breasts removed including the healthy one, the times gazette reports.
The study has been published in journal JAMA Surgery on 2nd September.
The study revealed that there has been a 100% growth in the mastectomies in men during the period 2004-2011.
This increase is the mastectomies relate to contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, the surgery to remove the healthy breast after cancer is diagnosed in the other breast.
However, the researchers say that this type of surgery is not necessary always and is only recommended for a very small percentage of men affected by breast cancer. There is no evidence that such mastectomies help patients live longer.
However, the proportion of men getting the surgery is significantly higher than the recommended proportion, says lead researcher, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, vice president, Surveillance and health Services Research at American Cancer Society.
For the the study, the researchers examined the case histories of 6,332 men who had cancer in one breast by getting their data from North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. All these men had surgery between 2004 and 2011. The study showed that 1,254 men opted for conserving surgery while 4,800 men had only single breast surgery and 278 men had the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.
This exact cause for the rise in this form of mastectomy is not known. However, researchers say that it could be for similar reasons as in the case of women. Dr. Jemal said that all men diagnosed with breast cancer only in one breast should talk to their physicians about the harm or benefit of this form of mastectomy before deciding to undergo this surgery.
According to Washington post, Dr. Jemal said, "The increase in the rate of this costly, serious procedure with no evidence of survival benefit comes, paradoxically, at a time of greater emphasis on quality and value in cancer care."
