Do all breast cancers have to be removed?

  Does all breast cancer really need to be removed?  Breast cancer is an important malignant disease that plagues women all over the world. The incidence of breast cancer in China has been on the rise in recent years and has become the number one killer of female malignant tumors. Breast cancer is like an unforgivable evil that seriously endangers women’s physical and mental health.  The current medical model places more emphasis on the socio-psychological model, and the surgical model of breast cancer has evolved from emphasizing extensive excision, local and regional radical treatment to preserving organs and minimizing damage, and the shaping and reconstruction of breast organs has increasingly become one of the goals pursued by women and oncologists. Breast contouring and reconstruction surgery has been a 30-year journey, with 16-42% of patients in the United States currently undergoing stage I or II breast reconstruction surgery. Breast contouring surgery combined with mammoplasty techniques has enabled some patients who were previously unable to preserve their breasts to do so, realizing both the aesthetic and therapeutic value.  At present, in our center, we have matured to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy, breast-conserving surgery, plastic surgery, and breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer. My feeling is that as an oncology specialist, one must give the most thorough tumor treatment to the patient, while not losing some necessary opportunities. Give the fullest choice in terms of tumor treatment and don’t let the solidified stereotypical thinking become a reason to prevent patients from choosing better treatment. The trauma caused by one surgery makes it difficult for many patients to decide on a second breast reconstruction surgery and also makes it more difficult for a second breast reconstruction surgery. I always feel a sense of regret when I see patients who deserve breast conservation, axillary conservation, breast contouring, and breast reconstruction, but for various reasons are not able to receive these treatments. Of course, when I see my patients getting the treatment they deserve, I feel a great sense of relief and a sense of accomplishment when I see them looking confident with their chests up.  In short, it is the duty and mission of every professional breast doctor to give her the choice and opportunity she deserves, and not to let her regret for the rest of her life.