Can Surgeon Bias Affect Breast Cancer Treatment? Study Says Yes


The study that arrived at the findings involved nearly 30,000 patients age 66 and older who had been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer.

The founder and lead surgeon of the Las Colinas Cancer Center talks about treatment bias.

Irving, TX, – Test results may not play the only role in determining the treatment recommendations doctors make to women diagnosed with breast cancer. A recently released study casts light on the potential for surgeon bias to also weigh in the decision-making process. This is especially so in regard to suggesting mastectomies in place of breast conserving surgery, researchers say.

The study that arrived at the findings involved nearly 30,000 patients age 66 and older who had been diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. Researchers dove into the treatment recommendations made and found that institutional and doctor bias may lead to overriding preferences regardless of tumor size, aggressiveness and other factors.

“The study puts a bright spotlight on the need for physicians and patients alike to carefully weigh all treatment options,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “It is very important for women to understand the potential risks and benefits of the treatments available to them, not just those preferred by a cancer center or surgeon.”

The study’s findings come as the number of mastectomies performed in lower risk cases continues to climb. The trend has been raising alarm bells that some women who may not need more aggressive interventions are opening themselves up to higher risks by pursuing complete breast removal and reconstruction instead of less-invasive lumpectomies.

It is estimated more than 252,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the coming year. While surgery is a standard course of treatment, options may exist.

“Women and their doctors should be partners in exploring the best treatment options based on test results and other factors unique to each patient’s case,” says Dr. Echt.

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At Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, our team is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. 

About Las Colinas Cancer Center

At Las Colinas Cancer Center, our team is committed to providing compassionate personalized treatment that can make all the difference in the treatment of cancer. We work as a team to support our patients through this challenge by providing a combination

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Las Colinas Cancer Center

7415 Las Colinas Blvd Suite 100
Texas
75063
USA
Phone : 214.379.2700
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Published on

Oct 04, 2017