Women's Health

Double mastectomy offers no survival benefit for women with breast cancer

Research we're watching

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
  • Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
A pink ribbon represents breast cancer awareness.JAMA Oncology

Researchers examined data from more than 661,000 American women (average age 59) who were all diagnosed with cancer confined to one breast between 2000 and 2019. The malignancies ranged from the earliest stage of breast cancer, called ductal carcinoma in situ, to stage 3 invasive cancers. Participants were split into three groups: those who underwent lumpectomy; those who had only the affected breast removed, and those who decided on double mastectomy.

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later covered health and medicine for a wide variety of websites, magazines, and hospitals. Her work has … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Toni Golen, MD

Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio
View all posts by Toni Golen, MD

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