title: Factors associated with surgical decision making in women with early-stage breast cancer: a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current recommendations for surgical management of early-stage breast cancer include breast-conserving surgery with postoperative irradiation. However, studies show that mastectomy is still being used by women with early-stage breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the medical literature published between 2000 and 2010 to determine the factors associated with the decision of patients for surgical treatment in early-stage breast cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following patient characteristics affect the surgical decision-making process in early-stage breast cancer: age, socioeconomic factors, geographic area in which the patient lives, proximity to a radiation therapy center, testing for BRCA gene, breast imaging, and decision aids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of increasing importance in the decision making about treatment of women with early-stage breast cancer are the woman's perception of having a surgical choice and the influence of that choice on postoperative quality of life.
authors: Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. macbride.maire@mayo.edu
authors: Maire Brid
authors: MB
authors: Mac Bride
authors: Lonzetta
authors: L
authors: Neal
authors: Christina A
authors: CA
authors: Dilaveri
authors: Nicole P
authors: NP
authors: Sandhu
authors: Tina J
authors: TJ
authors: Hieken
authors: Karthik
authors: K
authors: Ghosh
authors: Dietlind L
authors: DL
authors: Wahner-Roedler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged