‘MRM for breast cancer affects quality of life’

Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) involves the complete removal of the breast with or without modifications. Most often, while many can opt for the breast conservation treatment (BCT) which involves breast conservation surgery (BCS), which removes tumour and keeps the breast intact and whole breast radiotherapy.  But in India, the recurrence and survival rates of Breast Conservation Treatment comparable to MRM, is just about 11-23 per cent, doctors go for it in India. 

Dr KS Kirushna Kumar, head oncologist, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai, says, “The study was conducted among our patients, who had undergone a MRM a few years ago. Out of them 38 per cent said it definitely affected their attitude towards sex and 73 per cent said it affected their body image. Several had been deserted by their husbands in the years.” He added that as many as 70 of them were studied and they were across various income groups. 

“We realised that educating the patient was essential to dispel the myths about MRM being more effective,” he added. Dr Kumar, who sees as many as 10-12 patients with this kind of cancer every month, added that at least four to five of them can opt for BCT. “This treatment is best suited for tumours less than four centimetres. We have begun counselling patients about why they must opt for BCT over MRM and now they are more willing to go in for it. We have more and more younger women developing the cancer, BCT can help them retain quality of life after treatment,” he says.