A new study shows that nearly one third of female patients who undergo breast-cancer-preserving mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer are prone to clinical manifestations of depression and reduced quality of life after surgery due to asymmetry of the two breasts. Researchers at the University of Michigan Cancer Center say that the common perception is that breast-conserving mastectomy is better than total mastectomy, but they believe this is incorrect. Researchers conducted a questionnaire survey of 714 people. The results showed that patients with significantly asymmetrical breasts were twice as worried and depressed about the probability of tumor recurrence as those with mildly asymmetrical or perfectly symmetrical breasts. They also felt discriminated against since the surgery, believing that the surgery did not change their health status and that their bodies did not return to health after treatment. The researchers believe that post-operative aesthetic issues are one of the most significant factors affecting the quality of life of many patients after treatment. Therefore, the researchers concluded, “Although the method of preserving part of the breast is more acceptable to patients than total excision, postoperative breast asymmetry will also have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life.” The researchers suggest that a frank conversation between the surgeon and the patient before surgery is important to get a clear picture of the patient’s expectations and to give them a better understanding of the recovery process they will need to undergo and the difficulties they will need to overcome after surgery. “Patients who have a mastectomy with breast preservation will not understand the procedure well and are likely to be dissatisfied with the outcome in the future if they are not told exactly what their breasts will look like after surgery.