More patients seeking double mastectomies

New York residents who are at risk for developing breast cancer may be interested to learn that more women diagnosed with the condition in one breast are opting to undergo double mastectomies. According to a recent study, approximately 42 percent of women who had unilateral breast cancer between 2010 and 2012 opted to remove both breasts.

Although the reasons for this are not clear, it was argued that one factor could be associated with the need to be symmetrical. The Angelina Jolie effect was also considered to be another factor. Jolie was famously reported to have been diagnosed with a specific breast cancer gene, so she opted to have a double mastectomy.

Although double mastectomies seem to be increasingly popular, there is not evidence that suggests that both breasts should be removed if the cancer appears in just one breast. According to the American Board of Internal Medicine, double mastectomies should be discouraged for women who have an average risk of developing breast cancer, even if they have cancer in one breast. Ultimately, it is estimated that only 6 percent of such women will develop breast cancer in the other breast.

If misread test results cause a patient with breast cancer to be unable to receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner, an attorney may assist with filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the health care professional who misread the results and the hospital where the negligence occurred. If the patient's outlook is significantly reduced as a result of the medical errors, the attorney may help the injured patient seek compensation for the additional medical bills. The victim might also seek compensation for other damages such as emotional trauma.