Mastectomy facts for kids

Mastectomy is a type of surgery that removes part or all of a breast. Sometimes, doctors remove only one breast, and sometimes they remove both. The amount of breast tissue removed can also vary, from a small part to the whole breast.

This surgery is often done for people who have breast cancer. Both men and women can get breast cancer and may need this operation. In some cases, people who have a very high chance of getting breast cancer might have a mastectomy before the cancer even starts, to help prevent it.

What is a Mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a medical procedure where a surgeon removes breast tissue. It's an important surgery that helps people dealing with certain health conditions, most often breast cancer. The goal is to remove unhealthy cells or tissue to help the person get better.

Why Do People Need a Mastectomy?

The main reason someone might need a mastectomy is to treat breast cancer. This cancer happens when cells in the breast grow out of control. A mastectomy helps by taking away these unhealthy cells.

Understanding Breast Cancer

Breast cancer starts when some cells in the breast begin to grow abnormally. These cells can form a lump called a tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, it means these cells can spread to other parts of the body. Doctors use a mastectomy to remove these cancerous cells and stop them from spreading.

How is a Mastectomy Performed?

During a mastectomy, a surgeon carefully removes the breast tissue. The type of mastectomy depends on the person's specific situation and the cancer. For example, if a small tumor is found, the surgeon might only remove the part of the breast around the tumor. This is called a partial mastectomy. If the cancer is more widespread, the whole breast might need to be removed.

Different Types of Mastectomy

There are several types of mastectomy. A partial mastectomy removes only the part of the breast with the tumor. A total mastectomy removes the entire breast. Sometimes, other tissues nearby, like lymph nodes (small glands that are part of your body's defense system), are also removed to check if the cancer has spread.

What Happens After Surgery?

After a mastectomy, people often need time to recover. Doctors and nurses help them manage any pain and heal from the surgery. The recovery time can be different for everyone.

Other Treatments for Cancer

Sometimes, after a mastectomy, doctors might suggest other treatments to make sure all cancer cells are gone. These can include:

• Chemotherapy: This uses special medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
• Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in a specific area, like the breast or chest.

These treatments work together with the surgery to give the person the best chance of getting healthy again.