Less is More: Transformative trends in breast cancer treatment

SHAH ALAM - Breast cancer treatment is undergoing a transformative shift as surgeons and specialists opt for a less-is-more approach to provide more effective care.

UM Specialist Centre consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Dr Teoh Li Ying said that these days, experts often prioritised treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy before resorting to surgery.

This approach, she said in the latest episode Sinar Daily’s Life and Style podcast 'Evolving Trends in Breast Surgery and Breast Cancer Treatments', aimed to improve patient survival rates as immediate surgery may not always be the best initial option.

“Even in surgery itself, we are moving towards in offering more reconstructive surgery so that in the end, the outcome of the operation is almost back to normal," said Dr Teoh.

On the same note, UM Specialist Centre consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Associate Professor Dr See Me Hoong highlighted techniques like oncoplastic surgery that can conceal surgical scars.

She pointed out that scar visibility had been a concern in the past but advances in techniques like oncoplastic surgery have enabled surgeons to hide scars while ensuring effective tumor removal with healthy tissue margins.

"We are moving to more minimal surgery with small scar probably three or four centimetres," said Dr See, who was also a guest of the podcast.

Encouraging frequent breast check-ups, Dr See reassured women not to be alarmed if they discover a lump in their breast, as approximately 80 per cent of such lumps were benign tumors.

“Having say that we need to check that and we need them to come forward," she added.

Discussing the shift in breast surgery techniques, Dr Teoh noted that the paradigm has moved towards oncoplastic techniques.

These techniques, she explained, allowed for breast reconstruction following mastectomy, using methods like silicone implants or tissue from the patient's body.

“So, after mastectomy we reconstruct new breasts,” Dr Teoh summed it.

The choice of technique, she added, depended on various factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and previous medical history.

In fact, she said even lumpectomy – a procedure to remove breast lumps – also came accompanied by radiotherapy.

“Lumpectomy normally comes with radiotherapy so that we reduce the risk of the cancer recurring,” said Dr Teoh.