The Breast

Abstract

To every doctor whether he be physician, surgeon, or radiotherapist, carcinoma of the breast represents the supreme challenge. Not only is his medical skill tested to the limit, but also his ability to treat the whole patient. To any woman the loss of the breast is a tragedy. She feels her femininity is diminished and she is constantly reminded of her ‘mutilation’. Sometimes in a busy clinic, the impact on a woman of the news of impending mastectomy is not fully realised, but usually doctors are well aware of it and can feel as deeply as their patient the burden of this procedure.