Title: Which women prefer which treatment for breast cancer
Abstract: One hundred women with breast cancer suitable for lumpectomy or Patey mastectomy were studied. These women were seen consecutively and had presented to a consultant surgeon either as NHS or as a private patient. Each patient was offered either lumpectomy or mastectomy and was interviewed 12 months later to ascertain anxiety and depression. 45% of patients requested conservative surgery. 43% of the NHS patients and 67% of private patients favoured lumpectomy. However, age was a more discriminating factor with 88% of those < 55 years choosing lumpectomy but only 22% of those > 55 years of age. The principal reasons for conservative surgery were cosmetic (70%). Mastectomy was chosen by women who wanted ‘to get everything over with’ (80%). When interviewed at 12 months no woman regretted her decision. The psychological disturbance was similar in both lumpectomy and mastectomy patients. However the NHS patients faired better than those treated privately.