Many women with early-stage breast cancers have the option of choosing between a breast-conserving surgery such as a lumpectomy or a mastectomy which removes the entire breast tissue. The main advantage of a lumpectomy is that it allows a woman to keep most of her breast. A disadvantage is the usual need for radiation therapy — most often for 5 to 6 weeks — after surgery. A (very) small number of women having breast-conserving surgery may not need radiation, while a small percentage of women who undergo mastectomy will still Continue reading →