Breast cancer treatment has certainly advanced significantly over the past 30 years. In the 70’s, the only treatment for breast cancer was radical removal of the breast and muscles of the chest wall. This is probably why many still think that removing the whole breast is the only treatment method.
With current technology, it is now possible to remove only a portion of the breast (lumpectomy) and supplement that with radiotherapy. Other options include giving chemotherapy first to shrink the tumour so that lumpectomy can be performed on a smaller area.
It is also now possible to preserve the breast skin envelope and nipple while removing the cancer and breast tissue, by reconstructing the space underneath with the woman’s own tissue, or with an implant.
There are thus now many options to safely conserve or reconstruct the breast, and not affect the external appearance of the lady after breast cancer surgery.