A new study published in The American Journal of Surgery found that too many women with breast cancer symptoms are receiving surgical biopsies instead of needle biopsies, which are safer, less invasive and cheaper.
The study conducted in Florida but nationally applicable, found that 30 percent of breast biopsies performed in the state from 2003 to 2008 were surgical. That rate should be 10 percent or less, according to medical guidelines. Even worse, about 80 percent of women who undergo breast biopsies don’t even have cancer, and for those that do, a surgical biopsy makes the cancer surgery more complex. Most disturbing is one explanation for surgical biopsy’s overuse: Radiologists usually perform needle biopsies, and surgeons may not be referring patients so they won’t lose their biopsy fee.
If you believe that your doctor performed a surgical biopsy on you unnecessarily—or otherwise mishandled your breast cancer—contact Hodes Milman for a free case evaluation. We’re aggressive personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers based in Orange County, serving all of California. We have the experience to take on the medical industry and have achieved multi-million dollar verdicts for our clients.