More Breast Cancer Patients Opting for Double Mastectomies

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Category: Health
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 22:00
Written by 41NBC News
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There is a drastic way women are battling breast cancer...and it's becoming more and more popular.

Dr. Kristen Brill of Cooper University Hospital says, "it doesn't change survival. the survival is really based on the stage of that cancer that we know about in the one breast and how they respond to treatment."

However, Dr. Brill does say a mastectomy eliminates the risk of recurrence and developing cancer in the opposite breast. So why are so many women doing it?

Dr. Brill says, "it's for quality of life, peace of mind and for some women they see quality of life as being able to keep the breast, while others see quality of life as not having to worry about local recurrence or breast cancer in the opposite breast. Some women are just ready to say good bye to the emotional roller coaster of regular follow ups. but it's not an easy decision."

Celebrities are making the decision too. Comedian Wanda Sykes had the procedure done, and so did E! news hostess, Giuliana Rancic just last month.