What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the breast and can develop in one or both breasts. While breast cancer predominantly occurs in women, men can get breast cancer too, with approximately 0.5-1% of breast cancer cases occurring in men.

When determining the most appropriate treatment plan for breast cancer, several factors are taken into consideration:

• Stage and grade of the cancer
• General health
• Menopausal status
• Personal preferences

When is breast cancer surgery needed?

Surgery often serves as the initial treatment approach for breast cancer, with the specific surgical procedure chosen based on the type of cancer.

Following surgery, additional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or sometimes hormone or targeted therapies may be recommended to address any remaining cancer cells.

What are the types of breast cancer surgery?

Surgical procedures for breast cancer include:

• Mastectomy: A mastectomy involves the removal of one of both breasts in its entirety. Certain types of mastectomies also involve the removal of other affected tissues in the chest wall.
• Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy): A lumpectomy involves the removal of a tumour or “lump” from the breast, along with some of the surrounding tissue. This approach is often considered when treating breast cancer in the early stages.
• Reconstructive breast surgery: This procedure is performed to restore the shape of the breast following mastectomy. The procedure may involve the use of breast implants, tissue taken from another part of your body, or both.

How long is a breast cancer surgery?

The duration of breast cancer surgery can vary depending on several factors, including the type of surgery being performed, the extent of the cancer, whether it is a lumpectomy or mastectomy, and any additional procedures needed.

Generally, breast cancer surgery can range from about one to several hours.

What are the potential risks and complications of breast cancer surgery?

Complications or problems may arise after any surgical procedure. While some complications may be severe, most are minor.

Potential risks and complications associated with general surgery include:

• Bleeding and infection: These are common risks associated with any surgery. Steps are taken during surgery to minimise these risks, but they can still occur.
• Swelling and bruising: Swelling and bruising around the surgical site are normal after surgery and usually resolve over time.
• Scarring: Depending on the type of surgery, scarring may occur. Your surgeon will make every effort to minimise scarring, but some scarring is inevitable.
• Seroma: Sometimes, fluid can accumulate at the surgical site, forming a seroma. This may require drainage to resolve.
• Blood clots: There is a small risk of developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) after surgery.

Specific side effects that may potentially occur following a breast cancer surgery include:

• Shoulder stiffness: Following breast surgery, it is common to experience stiffness, weakness and a reduced range of motion in the shoulder and arm. This may last a few weeks.
• Cording: Individuals who had surgery on their axillary lymph nodes might develop axillary web syndrome, also known as cording.

What steps can be taken in preparation for breast cancer surgery?

Following a breast cancer diagnosis, doctors would schedule a meeting with patients to discuss their surgery options.

Several steps can be taken to prepare for surgery. These include:

• Stop smoking: Smoking can reduce blood supply to body tissue, potentially leading to complications post-surgery. It also increases the risk of developing an infection.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight increases the risk of complications from anaesthesia and can impact the outcomes of surgery.
• Staying physically active: Exercising before surgery may be required to help strengthen the muscles involved.

What is the recovery time for breast cancer surgery?

The post-operative care following breast cancer surgery varies depending on the type of surgery. Many patients now undergo breast surgery as a day-case procedure, meaning they can go home on the same day or the following day. However, if breast reconstruction is performed simultaneously, the hospital stay is typically longer, ranging from two to seven days.

Following breast cancer surgery, patients may experience soreness and limited movement in the chest and arms for two to three weeks.

Fatigue may persist for some time, and it might take several weeks to fully recover normal energy levels. Typically, most individuals would be able to resume normal activities after about a month.

Make an appointment at Pantai Hospitals

A dedicated and expert team of oncologists and general surgeons at Pantai Hospital is available for consultation to provide the best care and assistance. Get in touch with us to book an appointment today if you have any concerns or questions regarding breast cancer. 

Please contact the Health Screening Centre at your nearest Pantai Hospital for health screening appointments.

Pantai Hospital has been accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) for its commitment to patient safety and service quality.