Is a mastectomy effective for breast cancer?

There is no one definitive answer to this question. Some women who have a mastectomy for breast cancer feel that they have made the right decision and are glad they had the surgery. Others do not feel the same way. Studies suggest that women who have a mastectomy are less likely to develop cancer in the other breast, but they also are more likely to experience problems such as pain, swelling, and infection in the surgery site. Additionally, some women who have a mastectomy feel that they have lost their femininity or their sense of attractiveness.