New study gives hope to early breast cancer patients: they might avoid unneeded surgeries.

Two new studies show that some women with early breast cancer can avoid certain surgeries. These findings offer potential ways to reduce the burden of treatment for these patients.

One study focused on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of breast cancer where cells in milk ducts become cancerous. It found that active monitoring, instead of immediate surgery, is a safe option for many women with low-risk DCIS.

Over 950 women with DCIS were followed for two years, some having surgery and others undergoing monitoring. The rates of invasive cancer were low and similar in both groups, suggesting monitoring can be a viable alternative.

Another study looked at whether removing lymph nodes is always necessary during surgery for early breast cancer. Results showed that removing lymph nodes did not improve survival and the risk of cancer returning in the armpit was low even when they were not removed.

These studies offer promising insights into personalizing breast cancer treatment. More research is needed to confirm long-term outcomes and determine which patients would benefit most from these less invasive approaches.