Women suffering from low-risk ‘Stage 0’ breast cancer may benefit from avoiding direct surgery and opting for active monitoring instead, according to a new study, Science News reported.
The study, published on December 12, involved 957 women and examined whether avoiding immediate surgery for low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is confined to the milk ducts, could lead to similar outcomes to surgical intervention.
Researchers followed participants for a two-year period, comparing the rates of invasive breast cancer among those with DCIS who were actively monitored and those who underwent surgery to have it removed.
The research’s findings indicate that active monitoring is not inferior to direct surgical intervention for DCIS.
The findings challenge conventional approaches to treating DCIS and could reshape how early-stage breast cancer is managed, potentially sparing many women from unnecessary surgical procedures.
The study was published on the JAMA medical journal.