PROSPECTIVE HOSPITAL-BASED SURVEY OF ATTITUDES OF SOUTHERN WOMEN TOWARD SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF BREAST-CANCER

Background: Breast-conserving surgery is equivalent to total mastectom y in the treatment of breast cancer. The Southern part of the United S tates has a low rate of breast conservation. Methods: We surveyed 300 women: 100 hospital personnel, 100 cancer clinic patients, and 100 non -cancer clinic patients. The women were asked about their attitudes to ward breast cancer, surgery preferences, and factors that might influe nce their decisions. Results: One hundred eighty-nine chose mastectomy as the best operation, 106 women chose lumpectomy, and five women wer e undecided. There was no difference in mean age, racial distribution, education level, income level, percentage of women who considered the mselves Southern women, concerns about breast cancer, recent mammogram s, previous breast surgery, previous breast cancer treatment, or acqua intances with breast cancer between the mastectomy and the lumpectomy groups. Women interested in saving the breast were more likely to pick lumpectomy (35 vs, 84%, p = 0.001). A fear of cancer recurrence playe d a role in the decision (gs vs. 40%, p = 0.001). Fear of radiation th erapy (76 vs. 57%, p = 0.002) and of the side effects (80 vs. 63%, p = 0.005) was a significant factor. Conclusions: The choice of surgery f or breast cancer is an individual process between a woman and her surg eon. Attitudes and fears regarding cancer recurrence and radiation the rapy may make women select mastectomy over lumpectomy.